Fire Safety
Contributed by Provi Sharpe, Director of Emergency Management and Equipment Reuse, MDTAP
People are at greater risk for fire in the winter season when they use unsafe heat sources. According to the National Fire Incident Reporting System, 905 people die in winter home fires each year, 67 percent of winter fires occur in one-and two-family homes, cooking is the leading cause of all winter home fires and 5pm to 8pm is the most common time for winter home fires.
Here are some important things to remember about house fires – In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. Heat is more threatening than flames. Fire starts bright, but quickly produces black smoke and complete darkness. Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do.
The National Fire Protection Association offers valuable safety tips to people with disabilities. They offer emergency evacuation planning guides, free educational materials and a free quarterly newsletter. These materials are available as downloads in both English and Spanish.
