June declared as Home Safety Month

According to a press release from the State of Kansas Office of the Fire Marshal, June has been declared Home Safety Month by the Home Safety Council.

Kansas State Fire Marshal Dan McLaughlin said in order to keep homes and the people living in them safe from fire, he is joining with the National Association of the State Fire Marshal's and the Home Safety Council to promote fire safety practices by paying particular attention to activities associated with the summer months.

According to the latest statistics from the National Fire Protection Association, in 2003-05 fire departments in the United States responded to an average of 7,900 home fires involving grills, hibachis or barbecues per year. This includes an average of 2,900 structure fires and 5,000 outside fires. The nearly 8,000 fires caused an annual average of 10 civilian deaths , 120 reported injuries and $80 million in direct property damage, the press release said.

During the summer months, quite often children are left unattended or with limited adult supervision, which provides for an even greater potential for fire and injury, McLaughlin said. "Parents are urged to make sure children know how to call their emergency services number to report a fire or injury, to never touch matches and lighters, and to get out and stay out if their home does catch fire," McLauglin said.

In addition, the press release encourages residents to install and maintain smoke alarms in every room and practice emergency escape routes.

"Having a properly working smoke alarm can double your chances of surviving a fire by notifying you of the fire more quickly, giving you more time to escape," the press release said. "For maximum protection at a relatively inexpensive cost, consider installing residential fire sprinklers in your home to protect the lives and property of your family."