Fire Safety

Photo by Lisle Boomer

In 2009, the Alameda Fire Department responded to 303 fire calls. That’s just over 25 calls a month… nearly a call a day. House fires most often start in the kitchen, as a result of food becoming overheated, a grease fire, or towels, drapes, oven mitts or other flammable material coming too close to a range. Other common causes include candles being left unattended, a dropped cigarette, and faulty electrical wiring.

Most fire safety is about planning, preparation and prevention. Home fires can be avoided with some simple precautions to help keep you and your family safe. First, be sure your kitchen is a fire-safe zone. Clean your range top and oven regularly, to avoid any greasy residue which can build up and present a fire hazard. Never leave cooking food unattended, and keep all flammable materials, such as dishcloths and oven mitts away from any open flame. Be sure to roll up your sleeves while cooking! Consider tying long hair back as well.

Candles can add ambience to a room, and give off a delicate scent, making your home an inviting, beautiful place. While candles can be an elegant addition to your décor, they can also be extremely dangerous if mishandled. When using candles, be sure to place them at least 3 feet from curtains or cloth, and never leave a lit candle unattended. Be especially aware of children and pets around any type of open flame.

Smokers should be especially cautious. Every year, over 1,000 people nationwide die in fires caused by careless smoking. One in four of the deaths are not the smokers themselves but nonsmoking members of their family. A dropped cigarette butt can create a fire which can engulf a room in less than one minute. Using deep, sturdy ashtrays and taking an extra few seconds to make certain your cigarette butts are completely extinguished can make the difference between safety and tragedy.

Electrical causes account for 28,600 home fires every single year, causing 1.1 billion dollars’ worth of damage and claiming, on average, 310 lives. Appliance cords and plugs should be checked regularly for fraying or wear. Any appliance that emits a smell of burning or even the faintest wisp of smoke when being turned on should be taken for repair or replaced. Be sure that cords are not in danger of being crushed or pinched. Cords should never be run underneath carpeting.

Finally, be sure every floor in your home has at least one smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas. The only way to know if it is present in your home is to install a detector.

The Alameda Fire Department runs several emergency preparedness education programs. Preparation, prevention and education are your best defense against a fire emergency.