Fire Safety: Make Periodic Reviews Mandatory

I was saddened by a recent fatal fire in my community. A man and his young adult son perished; the
mother and another son were injured. The fire was in a single family home and occurred early in the
evening. It was an electrical fire and the authorities are conducting an investigation. Initially reading the
story, I was trying to understand why the family could not escape. I later found out the father previously
had a stroke which caused some physical disabilities; his son that also died, was autistic.

My son Matthew is a volunteer fireman with the Old Bridge Fire Department. Matthew was not on this
particular call because he was working at the time. I subsequently asked Matt about the fire and told
him I was surprised the family could not escape. Matt told me he did not have the details but believed
there was a delay in calling in the Fire Department and the family may had been attempting to fight the
fire themselves. Granted the investigation is in progress and the facts are not confirmed; however the
tragedy does prompt a review of basic fire safety.

First, basic fire safety should be reviewed every six months with your family, especially if you have young
children. Most folks know basic fire safety but I believe it needs to be formalized, reviewed, and drilled
in.

Make sure your home is as safe as can be. Repair faulty electrical outlets and fixtures. Be sure to
properly store any flammables and accelerants. Use caution with open flames such as candles,
fireplaces, stoves, and grills.

Plan escape routes with your family. Do a walk through of the routes with your children. Explain to them
once they are out of the building to stay out and do not go back in. Let them know that once they are out
to have the neighbor call the Fire Department.

If you have a fire or the indication of a fire, call the Fire Department immediately and evacuate.

Have working smoke detectors and check the batteries every six months. Some experts recommend
changing the batteries at the spring and fall time changes.

Explain to your children that if they are trapped and a wet garment or towel is available to wrap it around
themselves and then attempt an escape. Explain that if there is heavy smoke and poor visibility to crawl
and feel their way out.

Invest in a small fire extinguisher.

Make sure your children understand that if they should every catch fire not to run but to drop and roll.

Most communities and Fire Departments have safety programs - invest some time in one.

Ask if your school system has a fire safety education program. If the school does not have one, suggest
one.

Most adults are well aware of the basics of fire safety. Make sure you children are and that you conduct
periodic reviews. A review takes only a couple of minutes and is well worth the time.

Hopefully, you will never have a fire.

Sources - Suburban - Old Bridge, NJ Edition