Did you know that October is National Fire Prevention Month? That means it’s time for us all to take the precautionary steps to prevent dangerous and life-threatening fires in our homes, our businesses and our community.
This month-long observance stems from when the National Fire Protection Association founded National Fire Prevention Week in 1922. Its origin commemorates the dates surrounding the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 that killed close to 300 people, destroyed roughly 3.3 square miles of the city, including over 17,000 structures and left more than 100,000 residents homeless.
The fire is believed to have started the evening of October 8th in a small barn belonging to the O’Leary family. The shed next to the barn was the first building to be consumed by the fire, and the rapid spread of the fire was due to a few factors – a prolonged drought that summer, strong winds from the southwest and the failure of the water pumping system.
The fire’s spread was aided by the city’s predominant building material, wood, in a style called balloon frame. More than two-thirds of Chicago’s structures at the time of the fire were made entirely of wood, with most of the houses and buildings having highly combustible tar or shingle roofs. In addition, all of the city’s sidewalks and many roads were also made of wood.
Shortly following the fire, the city began to rewrite its fire standards, and business owners and land speculators quickly set out to rebuild the city. The first load of materials for rebuilding was delivered the day the last burning building was extinguished. In 1956, the remaining structures on the orig-
inal O’Leary property were for the construction of the Chicago Fire Academy, a training facility for Chicago firefighters known as the Quinn
Fire Academy or Chicago Fire Department Training Facility.
Today, we celebrate Fire Prevention Week and Month by spreading fire safety awareness and educating families, students and communities across the United States with help from our Sponsor, Scott’s Fireplace Products, and our Edgmont Township Fire Company No. 1.
Cooler weather calls for comfort, and there is no better place to be on a chilly night than snuggled up in your favorite chair, basking in the warmth of a cozy fireplace. However, according to the National Fire Prevention Association, the upcoming winter months will see an increase in home fires, deaths and injuries. While we need to keep our homes warm, there are steps we should take to prevent a fire.
Make sure your heating source is well maintained. Whether it’s a fireplace, wood stove, furnace or electric heat, check the equipment before using it and have it serviced by a licensed company. Our Newtown Edgmont Friends & Neighbors Experts are Scott and Ray Magness with Scott’s Fireplace Products. They have been our trusted source for installing, evaluating and servicing of gas fireplaces for over 35 years. When asked what advice he has for us as we head into winter, Ray said, “Always treat gas and wood-burning fireplaces and even fire pits with the respect they deserve while keeping them properly maintained.”
It’s best to do a quick check of your heater and fireplaces now before the temperatures begin to drop. A few items to note are that you should not store items near your heating source, including boxes, clothes and fuels that may ignite if they are too close. Also, ensure draperies, furniture and other combustible items are kept far away from these heating sources.
October is also the perfect time to check that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working. Test them once per month and replace the batteries annually. Getting a fire extinguisher is also recommended; if you already have one, check its expiration date. Place one on each floor of the house and in the garage. Knowing how to use a fire extinguisher is important, so read the instructions before you may ever need to use one.
The National Safety Council recommends committing the PASS acronym to memory:
Pull the pin.
Aim low at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the handle slowly.
Sweep the nozzle side to side.
Prevention is critical, but planning is imperative for your safety and that of your loved ones. Have an escape plan for your home. Practice fire drills with your family and make sure every- one knows where to go depending on where the fire is in the home. Have at least two ways to get out of the house and set a meeting place for everyone. Everyone in your family needs to know that in the event of a house fire, they should not try to salvage items before leaving the house. Personal items can be replaced, but lives cannot. Instead, keep valuable documents in a fireproof box for recovery later.
Let’s take a minute to recognize common causes of house fires:
Kitchen— It’s important not to leave burners or grills unattended. Dish towels, clothing and other items should be kept away from heating elements and open flames.
Candles — Never leave a burning candle unattended. Alternatively, use battery-operated candles for ambiance or electric wax melt warmers for fragrance.
Smoking — Unattended cigarettes or overly full ashtrays start fires. Curious children might play with matches or lighters. Keep them well out of reach.
Other common causes of fires are the result of faulty or worn electrical wiring, overloaded electrical outlets, space heaters too close to flammable materials and Christmas trees that are too close to a heat source such as a fireplace, space heater or heating vent. Christmas tree fires can also occur when the tree has not been watered and becomes dry. The heat caused by the lights and a possible short in the bulb or wires could spark and
ignite the tree within seconds.
We are very fortunate to have a strong community partner in our Edgmont Township Fire Company (ETFC). Our residents know that when there is a call for help, they can always rely on a highly trained team of firefighters and fire police to respond quickly. The Edgmont Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 proudly protects over 5,900 residents in a 14-square-mile area, including all of Edgmont Township and over a third of Thornbury Township in Delaware County. One-third of their protection district is comprised of Ridley Creek State Park, the US Army Reserve Center and over 600 acres of Agricultural Protected and Conservation District lands. Their coverage area includes four major state highways: Route 3 (West Chester
Pike), Route 352, Route 926, and Providence Rd and over 25 miles of municipal roads.
In addition to serving our community in an emergency, the fire company is dedicated to educating residents about fire prevention and planning. Jennifer Roehrig is ETFC’s Community Education Coordinator. She shared that the fire company partners with local community events to help educate residents on fire safety. “We host a National Night Out in August that invites community members to visit, meet our members, see
the trucks and get safety information,” Jennifer explained. “We also set up equipment and conduct demonstrations at Edgmont Community Day, and we open our doors to the public every Thursday night to distribute information on fire safety and to talk to those interested in getting involved.”
All of the members of the ETFC agree that no matter your skill set, there is a place for you to join their family and volunteer with the Edgmont Fire Company. “There are so many ways to get involved,” explained ETFC’s Secretary Coleen Fickes. “Even if you have just a small amount of time, we will find a place for you.” In addition to training to become a firefighter, volunteers are needed to cook, clean and stock the firehouse, work on fundraising campaigns, Fund Drive processing, grant writing and help with computer and website maintenance, accounting and member recruitment.
There is no better way to show your support and pride for the community than helping to keep your neighbors, their homes and businesses safe. If you want to volunteer with the Edgmont Township Fire Company, stop by the station any Thursday night from 7-9pm, complete an online application by visiting EdgmontFire.org or call 610-459-5688.
In honor of National Fire Prevention Month, we take this opportunity to thank our first responders, elected officers and all the volunteers who help keep our homes, businesses and community safe all year long. Your service is appreciated.