Office of the Governor
TOPEKA–The Office of the State Fire Marshal, Safe Kids Kansas, and Governor Brownback are joining with the National Fire Prevention Association and fire service agencies throughout the State and U.S. to dedicate the week of October 4-10, 2015, as Fire Prevention Week.
The theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week is “Hear the Beep Where you Sleep. Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm!”, reminding residents about the importance of having working smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.
“In a fire, seconds count,” said Doug Jorgensen, State Fire Marshal. “In Kansas, nearly two-thirds of home fire deaths result from fires reported at night between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep. Home smoke alarms can alert people to a fire before it spreads, giving everyone enough time to get out.”
According to statistics gathered through the National Fire Incident Reporting System, 64% of Kansas home fire deaths during 2014 resulted from fires reported at night between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Meanwhile, nationally three out of five fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
“Children need to know how to respond to the sound of a smoke alarm,” said Cherie Sage, Safe Kids Kansas. “Teach them to get low and get out when they hear it. A child who is coached properly ahead of time will have a better chance to get out of danger safely, so practice your escape plan regularly as a family. “
This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign includes the following messages about smoke alarms:
· Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
· Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. This way, when one sounds, they all do.
· Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.
· Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or sooner if they don’t respond properly.
· Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarm and understands what to do when they hear it.
· If the smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside. Go to your outside meeting place.
· Call the fire department from outside the home.
Fire departments throughout Kansas will be hosting activities during Fire Prevention Week to promote “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep. Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm!” Through these educational, family-oriented activities, residents can learn more about the importance of having a working smoke alarm in every bedroom.
In 2014, Kansas fire departments responded to 2,933 residential fires, and these fires resulted in 109 civilian injuries and 25 civilian deaths, 66 firefighter injuries and $58 million in direct damage.