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Fire Prevention Month - 2011

Fire Prevention Month is observed every October and aims to reduce the damaging effects of fire by raising awareness of basic fire safety principles.  Occurring in early fall, Fire Prevention Month is a great time to prepare your home for the winter ahead.

Sharpening the focus of Fire Prevention Month is National Fire Prevention Week (October 9-15).  National Fire Prevention Week originated in 1922 with a presidential proclamation from President Warren Harding commemorating the Great Chicago Fire of 1911.  During National Fire Prevention Week, key concepts in fire safety and prevention are targeted – concepts that should be practiced throughout the year.

According to the primary sponsor of National Fire Prevention Week, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in 2009 more than 360,000 home fires were reported in the United States.  In order to protect your home and family from fire the NFPA and the City of Rockville are promoting an annual fire prevention campaign consisting of several simple programs developed to assist you in protecting yourself from fire loss and injury.

The City of Rockville Inspection Services Division and the Rockville Fire Marshal's Office are providing you with some quick links to Fire Prevention Week materials available from the NFPA.  If you have any questions regarding fire safety or fire prevention, please contact the City of Rockville Inspection Services Divsion at 240-314-8263 or by emailing rockvillefiremarshal@rockvillemd.gov.

Check out these helpful fire safety tips from
the National Fire Protection Association:

• Cooking (PDF, 171 KB)
  Cooking brings family and friends together, provides an outlet for creativity and can be relaxing. But did you know that cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries? By following a few safety tips you can prevent these fires.
      
• Escape planning (PDF, 444 KB)
  Plan Ahead! If a fire breaks out in your home, you may have only a few minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Everyone needs to know what to do and where to go if there is a fire.  
   
• Home Heating (PDF, 634 KB)
  There is something about the winter months and curling up with a good book by the fireplace. But did you know that heating equipment is a leading cause of home fire deaths? With a few simple safety tips and precautions you can prevent most heating fires from happening.  
    
• Smoke Alarms (PDF, 219 KB)
  Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries.
       
• Home Fire Sprinklers (PDF, 1 MB)
  Over 80% of fire deaths occur in the home. Home fire sprinklers can save lives and property from fire. They respond quickly and effectively to fire, often extinguishing the fire before the fire department arrives. Only the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate, spraying water on the fire. 
    
• Candle Safety (PDF, 792 KB)
  Candles may be pretty to look at but they are a cause of home fires — and home fire deaths. Remember, a candle is an open flame, which means that it can easily ignite anything that can burn.
   
• Electrical
  Make your home safer from electrical distribution or lighting equipment fires. 
     
• Smoking
  Smoking materials (i.e., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.) are the leading cause of fire deaths in the United States.
  

Watch these Fire Prevention Week videos for more fire safety information.