Fire safety: Avoid getting burned

  • Published
  • By Airman Justin Shelton
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  According to the fire and emergency services flight, more than 2 million Americans are burned each year; 75,000 are hospitalized and 12,000 die from their burns.

More people die of burns than those who die in fires. Approximately 3,750 fire deaths a year are the result of fires in the home, and approximately 1,000 of these fire deaths are children.

Fires represent a large percentage of domestic deaths for children under the age of five according to the National Fire Protection Association, which estimates more than one third of children under 5 who die in fires, die from fires started by themselves or other children. The NFPA's statistics state a child under 15 is responsible for at least one of every seven building fires that result in a fatality, and children of all ages set over 100,000 fires annually. Approximately 25,000 of those fires are set within the home.

Here are some tips from the base fire department for keeping children safe from fire.
· Keep matches and lighters out of the sight and reach of children-preferably in a locked cabinet. Store flammable liquids away from children.
· Use child-resistant lighters. However, some children as young as 2 or 3 can easily light child-resistant lighters.
· Never leave young children alone with an open flame.
· Make sure your children know the sound of the fire alarm in case of a fire.

According to the National Fire Protection Association there are 91,700 fires, 327 deaths and 4,600 injuries as a result of kitchen fires each year. Fires caused by cooking are the main cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Using appliances with safety in mind can help to reduce the risk of injury.

Here are some additional tips from the Fire and Emergency Services Flight in order to keep your home safe from an accidental fire:

· Clean your house regularly, and reduce or eliminate fire hazards.
· Use appliances and heaters with care. Recognize objects and areas in the home that are burn hazards, such as hot liquids, stove burners and heating surfaces. Buy and install smoke detectors.
· Plan and practice home fire escape strategies and safe behavior during a fire, so you know what to do when a fire strikes. Be sure everyone knows the stop, drop and roll technique for smothering clothing fires.
· Buy and wear fabrics which are relatively fire-resistant. Learn how to administer emergency first aid for all types of burns.
· Never use an elevator during a fire. If there is smoke in the building stay low to the ground when evacuating.

Staff Sgt. Justin Carruthers, 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron, is a firefighter who works in the fire and emergency services flight. Sergeant Carruthers has been through an actual structural fire and can attest to the danger of not being prepared.

"Every home should have functional smoke alarms on every floor of the house, outside each sleeping area and inside each bedroom," said Sergeant Carruthers.

Smoke alarm maintenance can also assist in preventing fire hazards. Smoke alarms should be tested at least monthly, and the batteries replaced at least twice a year. Replace any smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old.

Before you are caught in a fire, try to identify at least two exits. The entrance to a building may not always be the safest or quickest way out in an emergency.

For more information on fire safety call the base safety office at 316-759-3216 or the base fire department at 316-759-3902.