Local organizations urge people to prepare in case of a fire

Posted: Friday, October 16, 2009 4:00 pm | Updated: 4:12 pm, Fri Oct 16, 2009.

By Peter Adelsen Perspective staff writer padelsen@kokomoperspective.com | 0 comments

With winter on its way, many people will be using more electricity and gas in their homes. October is the perfect time for people to become more aware of how to prevent a fire, especially when fire causes more deaths than any other disaster, according to the American Red Cross.

The American Red Cross North Central Indiana Chapter, Fire & Flood Recovery and the Kokomo Fire Department participated in a fire prevention month event Friday afternoon in front of Wal-Mart.

"I don't think there are enough people out there who really understand that the month of October is fire prevention month and so what people can do to make precautions and so basically that is our main goal," said Hattie Grimes, marketing director for Fire & Flood Recovery.

In preparation for the cold, winter months where there is more electricity going through the home, as well as furnaces are beginning to be turned on for the first time, the three groups are trying to inform people on how to prepare in case of a fire.

"We had some people asking us, 'Why would you want to have the fire department, the Red Cross and the Fire & Flood Prevention, what are you all doing here?'" said Aimee Macaluso, Fire & Flood Recovery customer service representative product manager. "We're like, 'Well, you know we want to educate people so that there aren't fires. We don't want fires. Yes, it makes our business profitable, but if we educate people on not to have fires then if something does happen, they might remember our name."

Representatives from the three groups informed people by handing out pamphlets and answering questions about fire prevention.

The American Red Cross suggests ways on how to prepare for a fire:

-Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home.

-Test the smoke alarm once a month and replace all batteries at least once a year.

-Replace smoke alarms every ten years.

-Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get training from the fire department on how to use them.

-Determine at least two ways to escape from every room of your home.

-Select a location outside where everyone would meet after escaping.

-Once out of the home, stay out. Call the fire department.

-If smoke, heat or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Signal for help using a bright-colored cloth at the window. If there is a phone, call the fire department and tell them where you are.

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