Fire Prevention Week 2016 & Fire Prevention Open House

O’Fallon, Illinois – Mayor Gary L. Graham is pleased to announce that Fire Prevention Week will be held October 9 - 15, 2016. In addition to Fire Prevention Week, the O’Fallon Fire Department will be hosting its Annual Fire Prevention Open House on October 11 – 13, 2016 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. each day at Fire Station #4 (1215 Taylor Road).

During Fire Prevention Week, the O’Fallon Fire Department will be joining forces with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to remind local residents of the vital importance of replacing the smoke alarms in their homes at least every ten years and to determine the age of their smoke alarms by checking the date of manufacture on the back of the alarms. This year’s theme is “Don’t Wait – Check the Date, Replace Smoke Alarms Every Ten Years.” 

“I urge all the people of O’Fallon to install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement, and make sure to replace them every ten years,” said Mayor Graham. “Please support the many public activities, and efforts of O’Fallon’s fire and emergency services during Fire Prevention Week 2016.”

At the Fire Prevention Open House, there will be numerous activities for the family to enjoy including fire and EMS apparatus displays, fire truck rides, a fire slide pole, fire safety house, the Scott Air Force Base Fire Puppet Show, and fire extinguisher demonstrations. The Arch Helicopter will be making an appearance each night, weather and time permitting.

Fires are a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally. Homes are the locations where people are at the greatest risk from fire. Home fires killed more than 2,650 people in the United States in 2015, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half. When smoke alarms are installed but do not operate it is usually because batteries are missing, disconnected, or dead.

“In a fire, seconds count,” said Fire Chief Brent Saunders.  “Roughly half of home fire deaths result from fires reported at night, between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., when most people are asleep. Home smoke alarms can alert people to a fire before it spreads, giving everyone enough time to get out.”

The O’Fallon Fire Department recommends the following tips:

• Install smoke alarms and alert devices that meet the needs of people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Have a planned and practiced home fire escape plan in the home.
• Be responsive to public education measures and take personal steps to increase your safety from fire.

For more information about Fire Prevention Week or the Open House, please contact the O’Fallon Fire Department at 618.624.4515.  To learn more about “Don’t Wait – Check the Date, Replace Smoke Alarms Every Ten Years” visit NFPA’s web site at www.firepreventionweek.org.