Fire Safety Week is October 4-10, 2009
How Fast Can A Fire Spread?
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) , each year more than 4,000 Americans die and more than 25,000 are injured in fires, many of which could be prevented. Direct property loss due to fires is estimated at $8.6 billion annually.
Fire spreads quickly; there is no time to gather valuables or make a phone call. In just two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a residence can be engulfed in flames. To ensure the safety of yourself and your family in the event of an emergency, you should learn what to do before a fire , during a fire , and after a fire .
There is a wealth of information regarding fire safety available from the federal government. Please visit the following online resources:
- Firesafety.gov - Resources and information geared toward eliminating residential fire deaths. This website includes fire safety information for citizens, kids, the fire service and the media.
- Smoking and Home Fires - A web page from the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) that provides information about preventing home fires caused by smoking.
- USFA Kids - This web page provides information especially for children. Kids can learn about home fire safety, smoke alarms and escaping from fire, as well as play a variety of online fire safety games.
- Fire Safety Publications - Online publications about fire safety from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) , including a Home Fire Safety Checklist .
- Fire Safety Advisor - Information from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding fire safety in the workplace.
- Fire Safety Education - Recommendations from the California Division of Forestry and Fire Protection.
- Agricultural Fire Safety - This web page from the National Ag Safety Database (NASD) offers a large variety of topics about farm-related fire prevention and safety.
- Campfire Safety - Tips from the U.S. Forest Service about how to safely enjoy a campfire.
Additional Resources:
Fire Prevention Week 2009 will be celebrated on October 4 through 10. The 2009 theme focuses on burn awareness and prevention, as well as keeping homes safe from the leading causes of home fires.