Fire Prevention Week

October 5-11 is Fire Prevention Week. I got to interview our local Fire Prevention Specialist, who was promoted to Fire Inspector after faithfully serving at her post for four years. Mrs. Fickert has been the local inspector since 2000 and still teaches fire prevention. My mom and I were able to meet with Mrs. Fickert over an afternoon java and I had some interesting questions to ask her.

What are fires most commonly started by?
Mrs. F: Unattended cooking and electrical appliances.

What does a Fire Prevention Specialist do?
Mrs. F: Fire Prevention Specialist means stopping people from doing accidental fires by teaching them.

How do you know if a fire is started by a candle or a cigarette?
Origin and Cause Investigation

Origin-location, a place
Cause- what started it

Mrs. F: When I walk into a home that has been burned I find the place that has the most damage. When a fire burns it forms a V shape then continues to burn from there. I interview the people who were there or neighbors who saw it happen. Sometimes I’ll ask people to draw a layout of what their home looked like. I ask questions about what items were on tables and shelves. Soon I’m able to find out if it as a candle or a cigarette.

How often should you change the battery in your smoke detector?
Mrs. F: Every six months. A tip is to change the batteries when you turn your clocks for day light savings.

And how often should we test them?
Mrs. F: Monthly. When you buy your calendar take a few minutes to write on the first of every month that you should test your batteries. Make it a habit.

How do we test them?
Mrs. F: Push the test button. If it’s too high to reach you can use a broom handle. One more thing Miss Monica! Fire Detectors have a shelf life of only seven to ten years. If you live in an older home you should replace them.

How do you put out a kitchen fire?
Mrs. F: Grease Fires are put out in two steps.
1. Turn off the heat source.
2. With a hand mitt, slowly place the pan’s lid over the fire.

This puts out the oxygen and the fire can’t breathe anymore. It needs oxygen to burn. Never use water or any type of liquid in a grease fire.

What is your favorite part of your job?
Mrs. F: Everything! My motto is do what you love and love what you do.

How do you help children in your community?
Mrs. F: Education and going to schools. We have ‘field trips’ each year and the children can come to our location and learn about fire safety. We also teach for large groups.

Where do you send children when they are badly burned?
The Burn Center UC Davis and Shriners Hospital

How can a family establish a fire escape route?
Mrs. F: There are two acronyms:
E.D.I.T.H.
E.xit

D.rills

I.n

T.he

H.ome

and

D.A.N.

D.rill

A.t

N.ight

Plan to have drills both in the day time and at night. Plan to meet in one location such as across the street or at a neighbor’s house. If you wake up and smell smoke crawl on the floor to the door. Do NOT touch the door handle, until you first feel the door. If the door is hot do not touch the handle and exit through the window.

How often should a family have a fire drill?
Mrs. F: Twice a year, you can do it during the week of day light savings.

What size fire extinguisher should a single family home have and where should they place it?
Mrs. F: They should place it in their bedroom(your parent’s room) and in a garage. You can also have a dry chemical extinguisher in the kitchen.

What other ways can a family enjoy candles without a flame?
Mrs. F: By using a Candle Warmer or Electric candle. Costco has battery operated candles that appear to have a flame in them.

What does your community do for Fire Prevention Week?
Fire and health safety expo every year. We have one this Wednesday.

Do most fire departments give tours of their facility?
Mrs. F: All facilities do! Just give them a call.

How can kids get involved in helping their community for fire prevention week?
Mrs. F: We have what we call Fire Pals. These are young people like you who volunteer to help us with our Expo. Just like how you’re going to do for us on Wednesday.

Is it safe to run appliances when you’re not home? (ie:washing machine, dishwasher, etc?
Mrs. F: No, it is not safe. Don’t even run them when you are asleep.

Should we turn off space heaters before going to bed or can we leave them on to stay warm?
Mrs. F: Turn them off. When you are using them make sure that there is 5 ft. of space around the space heater at all times. Also, you should unplug it for nighttime.

Thank you Mrs. Fickert for meeting with us for
this interview. Here are some links that she said we could share with you.

National Fire Prevention Association
Sparky the Dog
Smokey Bear

My family is going to prepare a fire escape plan for our home and practice some fire drills. Mrs. Fickert suggested that the night time drill be done spontaneously, which means without notice. She also said do it once the children are already asleep. This gives them some practice on what to do when they aren’t ready for it, which is what would happen if your home was on fire.

Now I have some questions for you:
When was the last time you checked your fire detectors batteries?
Do your detectors need new batteries? If so let us know when you’ve replaced them.
Do you have an escape route planned?
Do your children know what to do in a fire?
Will you commit yourself to having some of your own fire drills?