Fire Escape

Did you know the state of Georgia is in the top three states for residential fires, with a higher than national average for loss of life in those fires?

Being in a rural environment such as Jasper County increases your risk of residential fires with possible loss of life. And if you have smokers in your home, you’ve also increased your risk. So what do we do with this? We prepare, we practice, and we prevent.

I’ve written several times on every home needing a fire escape plan, do you have one? Have you practiced it? When your children spend the night with friends, do they know that family’s escape plan? This is all PREPARATION.

Prepare yourselves and your children. Most fires break out from 11 p.m.-7 a.m., when we’re all asleep and it’s dark. House fires don’t “leave the lights on for you,” they smother light. What if (and most likely) you can’t get out via doorways? Can you and your children, in their own rooms, get out of the windows? In the dark?

Every room should have two ways out. Usually a doorway and a window. Everyone should practice worst case scenario. Crawling low to the ground out of the home and also out through the windows.

If your bedrooms are second and third story, have you prepared and practiced? There are second, third, and fourth story escape ladders on the market. Amazon sells them. Get them for every upper floor window. If you have infants or toddlers, they have Baby Rescue devices that look like sacks that you can lower your babies to the ground. Get them! This is all PRACTICING. If the stairs to your exit are burned through, how will you get out?

And finally, PREVENTION. Fall is here, and Winter is just around the corner. Fires in fireplaces, electric heaters, and candles are all staples; but an easy opportunity if not respectfully cared for. Ensure you have screens, distance from hot elements, electrical cords are not overheating, and animals who can bump or tip igniting sources…just to name a few. Smokers: the air is drier, we get sleepier sooner…ensure that all ashes are thoroughly extinguished.

The Fire Service is one of the few organizations in the world that seeks to essentially put itself out of business. We strive for sprinklered buildings, fire extinguishers in every room, smoke detectors in and out of every room…because we have seen and experienced the devastation that fire causes. We want you and your family to be safe! Please take the time to prepare, to practice, and to prevent.

If you have any questions on how to prepare your home and family, or would like tips on how to practice or prevent escape plans or fire safety in your home, please email me at jcfrcpr@gmail.com