Savannah Fire Rescue issues special Fire Prevention Week reminders:
Be fire safe; plan and practice your escape!
SAVANNAH, GA (Tuesday, September 24, 2019) – Structure fires are particularly tragic because four out of five U.S. fire deaths occur at home. Many are preventable. Three Savannahians have died in house fires this year. It appears as if each fell asleep while smoking, according to Savannah Fire investigators.
Savannah Fire Rescue is working to prevent future fire tragedies by offering simple fire prevention tips and activities for children and adults during Fire Prevention Week; October 6 -12. For fire prevention information visit Savannah Fire on Facebook and Twitter @savannahfire. Schools, community groups and organizations in the City of Savannah should call 912-644-5957 or email Public Information Officer Jenel Few at jfew@savannahga.gov to schedule a free home or workplace fire safety talk and demonstration.
2019 Fire Fatalities
On January 15, firefighters discovered an unresponsive 64-year-old man and his pet dog in an apartment at 1111 Mohawk Street. The bedroom and its contents sustained significant fire damage. Fire investigators believe the man and his dog died from exposure to smoke and fire caused by improperly discarded smoking materials.
On April 27 the body of a 33-year-old man was discovered on a smoldering couch at 2106 E. 37th Street. He appeared to have fallen asleep while smoking, according to Savannah Fire investigators.
A 48-year-old woman died from injuries she sustained after falling asleep while smoking the couch in her apartment at 135 Hampstead Ave.
During the first 9 months of 2019 there have been 148 structure fires and three fire-related deaths in the City of Savannah. Last year during the same time period there were 164 structure fires and 7 fire-related deaths. Fire safety awareness can further reduce those numbers and save lives.
“Fire Prevention week is a time to focus on fire education. Savannah Fire Rescue makes this a priority year-around but during this time, we make a push to engage with the community and increase awareness,” said Savannah Fire Rescue Chief Derik Minard. “This is an event that occurs across the country and is an opportunity to deliver education through fun events in an effort to decrease fires and injuries across the community.”
Many of Savannah’s preventable fires are the result of carelessly handled smoking materials, pots left cooking on stovetops, frayed electrical cords and unattended candles or incense. During Fire Prevention Week Savannah Fire Rescue reminds you to be fire safe, develop a fire escape plan, and practice your escape plan with your family.
The following steps can help people prevent or escape a fire, and avoid tragedy:
Never leave matches, lighters or smoking materials in the reach of children
If you smoke, never to use smoking materials in bed or while drowsy
Establish a smoking area away from buildings and flammable materials
Carefully extinguish smoking materials in sand, water or a deep ashtray
Never flick cigarette butts on the ground or out of windows and doors
Keep flammable items away from stovetops, candles, space heaters and other sources of heat
Never leave the kitchen while food is cooking on the stove.
Don’t run electrical cords under rugs and never overload extension cords. Have outlets installed instead.
Never leave burning candles and incense unattended. Always use stable candle holders and incense burners.
Test smoke alarms monthly. Change alarm batteries twice a year. Replace smoke alarms after 10 years of use
Find 2 ways out of every room in your home and develop a fire escape plan with your family
Make sure fire escape routes are clutter-free, doors and windows open easily and barred windows have an emergency release
Plan an outside meeting place where family members meet after escaping a fire
###
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK 2019
WHAT: Savannah Fire Rescue offers free fire prevention tips and activities for children and adults during Fire Prevention Week
WHEN: October 6 -12
WHY: Many fires are preventable. During the first 9 months of 2019 there have been 148 structure fires and three fire-related deaths in the City of Savannah.
HOW: For fire prevention information visit Savannah Fire on Facebook and Twitter @savannahfire. To schedule a free home or workplace fire safety talk and demonstration, schools, community groups and organizations in the City of Savannah should call 912-644-5957 or email Public Information Officer Jenel Few at jfew@savannahga.gov