LIHUE — The Kauai Fire Department is promoting this week as National Fire Prevention Week, to help educate the community about fire safety and preparedness.
“This year’s theme works to educate everyone about the small-but-important actions they can take to keep themselves and their ohana safe and prepared for a fire emergency,” said KFD Deputy Chief Kilipaki Vaughan.
“Situational awareness is a skill people need to use wherever they go. No matter where you are, look for available exits. If the alarm system sounds, take it seriously and exit the building immediately.”
The KFD is once again working in coordination with the National Fire Protection Agency — the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 90 years — to promote this year’s campaign, “Not every hero wears a cape. Plan and practice your escape!”
To help kick off the week, Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami held a proclamation ceremony late last month, and encouraged all households to develop a fire safety plan together and practice it.
“The statistics for structure fires and fire-related deaths across our nation are alarming,” said Kawakami at the proclamation ceremony.
“It’s imperative that our Kauai residents have an escape plan in place for the safety of themselves and their loved ones. We are fortunate to have excellent first responders here on our island, but we must do our part as well. It is our hope that our community continues to take these messages seriously and will be well prepared for any emergency.”
NFPA statistics show that in 2017 U.S. fire departments responded to 357,000 home structure fires. These fires caused 2,630 deaths and 10,600 injuries. On average, seven people died in a fire in a home per day from 2012 to 2016.
The KFD advises all home escape plans to include working smoke alarms on every level of the home, in every bedroom, and near all sleeping areas. It also includes two ways out of every room, usually a door and a window, with a clear path to an outside meeting place (like a tree, light pole or mailbox) that’s a safe distance from the home.
NFPA and KFD offer these additional tips and recommendations for developing and practicing a home escape plan:
w Draw a map of your home with all members of your household, marking two exits from each room and a path to the outside from each exit;
w Practice your home fire drill twice a year. Conduct one at night and one during the day with everyone in the home, and practice using different ways out;
w Teach children how to escape on their own in case adults aren’t there to help them;
w Make sure the house number is clearly marked and easy for the fire department to find;
w Close doors behind you as you leave — this may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire;
w Once outside, stay outside. Never go back into a burning building.
You know, I’ve been thinking that when a house is fully engulf in smoke and flames making it virtually impossible to go in and rescue anyone. Should someone be liable if he/she jumped into their car and just ram a hole in the wall of that house to create an escape route?
I’ve heard horrible stories about family members screaming for help while being burned alive and members can’t do anything outside.