MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. --
Oct. 4 – 10 is
Fire Prevention Week aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. Marines and
their families from around the Tri-command should educate themselves on the
reality of fire hazards and steps they can take to prevent them.
President Woodrow
Wilson established fire prevention week in October, 1922 and since then, the
week of Oct. 9 has been dedicated to raising awareness about fire safety
issues. Law enforcement services and safety representatives aboard the air
station will be reaching out to the community with helpful strategies.
“We have a theme
that changes every year,” said Joseph A Otterbine, the lead fire inspector
aboard MCAS Beaufort. “This year’s topic is ‘hear the beep where you sleep,’
referring to the smoke detectors in your house. Every room in a house should have
a smoke detector and every floor should have one in the hall.”
According to the
National Fire Protection Association, most fires occur in the house between the
hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. when most people are sleeping.
“Some people are
very heavy sleepers and might not wake up from a fire alarm,” said Otterbine. “If
you have someone in your home who is a very deep sleeper, like a small child,
it’s your responsibility to get them up and get them out.”
After everyone in
a home is awake and aware of a fire, the next step is getting everyone out
safely. The most convenient exit in your home might be blocked by smoke or
heat.
“Have
two ways out of every room and sleep with your door shut so if there is a fire
in the night there is something protecting you and you have another way out,”
said Otterbine.
The
number one leading cause of home fires and fire injuries in the U.S. is kitchen
fires, according to the United States Fire Academy. Kitchen fires can occur
when people aren’t paying attention to what’s on the stove. Cooking fires
contribute to 49 percent of all home fires but they can be started by a variety
of factors.
The
best way to be prepared is to make sure your smoke detectors are operating
correctly and have batteries with plenty of charge.
“You need to check
smoke detectors regularly to make sure they’re still working right and keeping
you safe,” said Otterbine. “You should check smoke detectors every month and
change the batteries at least twice a year.”
It is also
important to practice exit drills in your home.
“Make sure that
everyone living there knows exactly how to get out in the event of a fire,”
said Otterbine. “Have a meeting place at least 75 feet away from your home where
everyone can gather safely.”
The principles of
keeping your home and family safe apply to the workplace as well. Have a plan
with your co-workers to maintain smoke detectors and get accountability of
everyone in case of an emergency.
“Marines like to
think they are invincible but they are not,” said Otterbine. “These safety
measures are going to save your life.”
Knowing the risks
and having a plan can mean the difference between life and death in the event
of a fire emergency.
“Your life is more
important than anything,” said Otterbine. “We can replace the furniture,
belongings and even the house but we can’t replace you.”