Dover heated up over fire prevention

  • Published
  • By 436th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  With Fire Prevention Week being held Oct. 4 - 10, Dover Air Force base is teaming up with The National Fire Protection Association to urge Delaware residence to 'Stay Fire Smart! Don't Get Burned.'

This year's campaign focuses on ways to keep homes fire safe and prevent painful burns.

Each year roughly 4,500 people die as a result of home fires and burns, and more than 500,000 individuals are hospitalized.

Burns are the nation's fifth leading cause of death.

Pain associated with burn injuries can be excruciating, and victims are often left with physical and psychological scars. Beyond that, the cost involved with burn treatment can be overwhelming; burns can require years of hospitalization, doctor checkups and physical therapy.

Keeping our homes safe from fire and preventing devastating burn injuries is a tangible goal, if the proper precautions are taken.

Some common safety tips include:
· Keep hot food and liquids away from tables and counter edges so they cannot be pulled or knocked over.
· Have a 3-foot 'kids free zone' around the stove.
· Be extra careful when using items such as curling irons, irons, lamps or portable heaters.
· Child proof all your electrical outlets.
· Never leave a child alone in a room where there is a lit candle, a lit fire place or in a kitchen where cooking is taking place.
· Wear short or close fitting sleeves when cooking with a gas stove.
· Never hold a lit cigarette when you are at risk of falling asleep.