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
original O’Leary property were used 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 Newtown Square Fire Company.
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 Square 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, includ- ing boxes, clothes and fuels that may ignite if they are too close. Also, ensure that 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. It is also recommended that you get a fire extinguisher; if you already have one, check its expiration date. Place one on each floor of the house and in the garage, too. 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 everyone 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. As an alternative, 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 Newtown Square Fire Company (NSFC). Our residents know that when there is a call for help, they can always rely on NSFC’s highly trained team of firefighters and fire police to respond quickly. They provide fire rescue services to Newtown Township and a select part of Willistown Township. NSFC also provides and receives mutual aid from our surrounding departments in Marple and Edgmont Townships.
In addition to serving our community in an emergency, the fire company is dedicated to educating residents about fire prevention and planning. “We are excited to host a fun community event on Saturday, October 26th that will welcome our friends and neighbors to the firehouse for Halloween fun and fire prevention tips and demonstrations,” explained NSFC’s 1st Vice President Heather Robinson. “We have invited some of our local businesses
to distribute Halloween goodies and food trucks to serve delicious food for all.”
The event will be held at the firehouse, 2 Charles Ellis Drive, in Newtown Square, from 4 to 7pm. Trick-or-treating and fire prevention demonstrations are free to attend, and everyone is welcome! There will also be a quiet sensory area for children that will offer non-candy goodies.
If you are interested in getting involved with the fire company, there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer. All of the members of the NSFC agree that no matter your skill set, there is a place for you to join their family and volunteer with the Newtown Square Fire Company. “There are so many ways to get involved,” explained NSFC’s President, Christina Heffernan. “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 like their semi-annual Flea Market Fundraisers and Fund Drive processing, and help with computer and website maintenance, accounting and member recruitment.
Joining the Newtown Square Fire Company Auxiliary involves promoting the interests of the fire company through fundraising. Some activities include hosting two annual Flea Markets, a Mother’s Day weekend Plant Sale and a Holiday Wreath Fundraising Event in November. The Auxiliary also provides meals for firefighters after emergency calls, at their monthly meetings and on the nights Santa Claus tours with the fire company.
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. If you want to volunteer with the Newtown Square Fire Company, please complete the online application at NSFC.org/content/membership or call 610-356-9590 and select Option 2.