It can happen to you

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Russell Eidenschink
  • 14th Civil Engineer Squadron Superintendent
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  We read about house fires in the newspaper and see them on television, but not many of us give them much serious thought. Fire Prevention Week gives your local fire department an opportunity to reach out to the public and offer assistance in the realm of fire safety, especially in preventing home fires and advocating the need to practice exit drills in the home.

Fire history here on Columbus AFB tells us the top three areas of concern are: inattentive cooking, children playing with matches or lighters and negligent candle use. Unattended cooking has caused more house fires than one may imagine. Cooking appliances produce large amounts of heat and only need to be unmonitored for mere minutes before a fire grows out of control. The second reason is because children more often than not play with lighters or matches if they are not given the proper guidance. This area is often overlooked because adults sometimes forget the fascination younger children have with fire. The last area of concern is the use of candles. You must ensure they are in sturdy metal, glass, or ceramic holders and placed where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave burning candles unattended!

Additionally, you and your family must preplan how to react if a fire does break out in your home. If you have children, it is essential you work out an escape plan beforehand, because you may not have the opportunity to tell them what to do in event of a real fire. They will only know it if they have practiced it. You must keep in mind children easily panic, and it is well-known they may look for places to hide, like a closet or under the bed if they do not know what to do. It is imperative children know to get out of the house and how to do so by carrying out a preplan.

The worst thing you can do is to think it can't happen to you. It's when you let your guard down that misfortune hits. In the end you must ask yourself two important questions:
Am I doing enough to prevent a fire from happening in my home?
Have I prepared my family well enough in case of a fire?