Published: October 23, 2007 11:05 am      

October marks Fire Prevention Month

Jeff, NA chiefs fight to stop fires year-round

Local fire officials work year-round to ensure residents of Floyd and Clark counties stay safe, but have stepped up their efforts in October in recognition of Fire Prevention Month.

With fire killing more people than all other natural disasters — and 3,245 fire-related civilian deaths reported nationwide in 2006 — Jeffersonville Fire Chief Clark Miles and New Albany Fire Chief Stan Mason want local people know how to best prevent a fire in their homes. Eighty-one percent of civilian fire deaths happen in residences, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

“Fire destroys and sometimes takes everything in its path,” Miles said. “People need to take it more seriously.”

Throughout the year, Miles and Mason, along with their firefighters, offer educational seminars at schools, churches and other community groups. Educational flyers also are distributed throughout the area. Firefighters are available year-round to consult with residents on a more personal basis regarding escape routes, smoke detectors and even to show children fire trucks.

“Education is really the key,” Mason said. “Our job is to not only save lives, but prevent fires to begin with.”

Both chiefs say each level of a home should have a working smoke detector, with its batteries replaced at the same time the clocks are changed twice a year. In addition, people should not smoke in bed or leave their cooking unattended.

Matches and lighters need to be kept away from children. In addition, using extension cords with prong adapters can be risky, because adapters remove any protection from the device, and an overloaded cord is a major cause of fire.

“People also forget a lot the importance of having a fire extinguisher in the home,” Mason said. “They make excellent Christmas, wedding and birthday presents.”

Before a fire happens, officials say families should have an escape plan, a meeting place and do a head count so they can inform firefighters if everyone is accounted for in the event of a blaze.

When outside the home, look for exits at restaurants and other public places in case a fire breaks out there.

“Fire is so deadly and can happen to anybody,” Miles said. “If one happens and you don’t have a plan, you’re in trouble.”