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In October, the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshal's office, and fire authorities across the country, observe National Fire Prevention Week. Sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association, National Fire Prevention Week aims to remind people how they can avoid accidental fires at home and work.
This October, the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshal's office would like to remind you of some simple ways you, your family, and your coworkers can stay safe:
Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fire deaths. Half of home heating equipment fires are reported during the months of December, January, and February. Some simple steps can prevent most heating-related fires from happening.
- Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
- Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
- Never use your oven to heat your home.
- Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
- Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
- Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
- Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
- Test smoke alarms monthly. Do you know how often you should replace your home's smoke alarms? Test your smoke alarm IQ by taking the Fire Prevention Week Quiz.
Special Attention: Apartment complex property managers and/or condo association/ownership should ensure that:
- Automatic fire sprinkler systems, standpipes, and fire alarm systems are inspected annually or more frequently, as per nationally recognized industry standards.
- Living units are inspected to ensure that they have properly installed and operable smoke and carbon monoxide detection.
- Smoke detectors that are 10 years or older are replaced with new devices.
- Self-closing fire rated living unit doors opening into common exit corridors are inspected to ensure that they are properly closing and latching into door frames to prevent fire and/or smoke from contaminating the exits.
For more information, contact the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshal's office at 704-336-3761 or via e-mail. The Mecklenburg County Fire Marshal's office is a division of Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement.
FM Global awarded a Fire Prevention Grant to the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshal's office. Assistant Fire Marshal and Lead Public Educator Karrie Heller and Assistant Fire Marshal Jesse Soares worked together on applying for and facilitating the grant, which will allow the Fire Marshal's office to maintain and replenish its supply of smoke alarm batteries. These batteries are distributed to the County's fire departments and the general public throughout the year. The grant will also fund the purchase of a fire prevention mascot costume, which will be used to teach children and families. We estimate our mascot will reach well over 9,800 people each year. AFM Keller, third from left, is joined by (from left to right), LUESA Director Ebenezer Gujjarlapudi, Chief Fire Marshal Ted Panagiotopoulos, FM Global Engineering Specialist Neill Bliss, Assistant Fire Marshal Curt Begert, and Assistant Mecklenburg County Manager Leslie Johnson.
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