LFD Chief Hulett details city efforts at fire prevention

[October 01, 2010]  The month of October is Fire Prevention Month for the Lincoln Fire Department. The week of Oct. 3-9 is National Fire Prevention Week. Although October focuses on fire prevention, fire safety is a year-round activity.

The focus on fire prevention started on Sept. 26 with the Lincoln Fire Department working with Together for Lincoln volunteers. Those efforts resulted in 54 home fire safety visits, installing 35 smoke detectors and replacing 25 dead or missing batteries in existing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Smoke detectors were provided by local donations to the fire department. Batteries were purchased by Lincoln Firefighters Union Local 3092.

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are not only required by state law, but are absolutely necessary for life safety for yourself and your family. Simply said, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors save lives. Very few deaths and injuries occur relating to home fires or carbon monoxide leaks when smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are properly installed and maintained.

The Lincoln Fire Department, with the occupant’s or owner’s permission, also routinely checks and installs smoke detectors in homes after emergency and medical calls.

On Monday, the fire department will host the annual "Breakfast at the Firehouse" for the third-grade class from Washington-Monroe School. In addition to a hearty breakfast cooked and served by Lincoln Fire Department firefighters, the third-graders will participate in various fire education activities.

During October, firefighters will visit all of the public and private elementary schools in Lincoln to provide fire safety education to students in kindergarten through third grade. Additionally, the fire department will conduct tours of the Lincoln fire station and will have the mobile Fire Safety House placed periodically at different locations for hands-on teaching of fire safety to children. Contact the fire department at 217-732-4020 to schedule tours or find the location of the mobile Fire Safety House.

What can you do to improve fire safety in your home?

• If you don't have smoke or carbon monoxide detectors in your home -- INSTALL THEM! Smoke detectors are required by law on every level of your home and within 15 feet of every bedroom. One carbon monoxide detector is required by law in all homes with any natural gas appliances or an attached garage. It is also important to replace the batteries in your detectors with new batteries twice a year. Installing new batteries when you reset your clocks for daylight savings time is a convenient way to remember to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

• Practice E.D.I.T.H.: Exit Drills in the Home. Have a family plan for fires and evacuation from your home. Getting yourself and your family out of your home safely during a fire emergency is your No. 1 priority.

• Make sure your address numbers are posted near your front door and are visible from the street. Remember that in any fire, medical or police emergency, response time is critical. The time spent locating a property that is not properly posted with address numbers wastes valuable time in responding to your emergency. Posting address numbers is also required by Lincoln city ordinance.

• The Lincoln Fire Department also recommends a fire extinguisher for every home. Fires can be quickly and safely extinguished with the proper use of a fire extinguisher. A grease fire in a pan can be extinguished by putting a lid on the pan and removing the pan from the stovetop. If you are unable to use a fire extinguisher, leave your home immediately and call 911.

If you have any questions about fire safety or need help with installation of a smoke or carbon monoxide detector, please call the Lincoln Fire Department at the non-emergency number, 217-732-4020.

Remember to practice fire safety year-round.

[Text from file received from Lincoln Fire Department]