Posted: 10/8/2018
Annual event focuses on dangers of house fires, importance of smoke detectors
The latest statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) show that if you have a reported fire in your home, you are more likely to die today than you were a few decades ago. This startling statistic is behind this year’s Fire Prevention Week theme: “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware – fire can happen anywhere.™” The 2018 Fire Prevention Week takes place Oct. 7-13.
This year’s Fire Prevention Week messages apply to virtually all locations. However, NFPA continues to focus on home fire safety, as the majority of U.S. fire deaths (four out of five) occur at home each year. In fact, the fire death rate (per 1000 home fires reported to the fire department) was 10 percent higher in 2016 than in 1980.
“We see the devastating impact of house fires every day in the burn center. This year we’ve already admitted more than 40 patients with thermal injuries from house fires, with many of them requiring intensive care for large, deep burns,” said Stephanie Campbell, RN, Burn Program Manager in Parkland Memorial Hospital’s Regional Burn Center, the only verified burn center in North Texas. “Patients with burn injuries from house fires often also have inhalation injuries from breathing in toxic smoke, and this damage to the lungs can lead to a long and difficult recovery.”
Statistics have shown that modern day materials in homes burn hotter and faster than ever before, with many experts estimating that the time a person has to escape is down to 3 or 4 minutes.
“That means that early warning by smoke alarms is critical and lowers your risk of death or injury should your home catch fire,” said Tameji Berry, Assistant Chief, Fire Prevention and Inspection Bureau, Dallas Fire-Rescue. “The majority of burn injuries and deaths from fires occur in homes without working smoke alarms.”
During Fire Prevention Month, Parkland is partnering with Dallas Fire-Rescue in its mission to reduce injuries and deaths from residential fires in the community. As part of Operation Installation scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 20, Parkland staff members from the burn center and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation department, as well as individuals from the Injury Prevention Center of Greater Dallas, housed at Parkland, will help install smoke detectors in some neighborhoods within the 75216 ZIP Code.
Trina Andres, RN, Burn Injury Prevention & Outreach Nurse Educator at Parkland will be among those volunteering during Operation Installation. “This will be my third time assisting and I have enjoyed getting out in to the community and meeting people from diverse backgrounds. These experiences have helped me have a better understanding of how we can help people prevent burn injuries in their home. It is very rewarding to help with a program that saves lives,” she said.
Meagan Young, CCLS, a Child Life Specialist who works in Parkland’s world renowned burn center, will be participating in Operation Installation for the first time.
“In the burn center I help children cope with the lasting effects of getting caught in a house fire. Not only do they have painful injuries, they are often also dealing with the emotional trauma of losing their belongings, their pets and sometimes even a family member in the fire,” Young said. “We know that kids in houses with working smoke alarms have a better chance of escaping a fire unharmed, so that’s why I will be there volunteering for Operation Installation.”
Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan, reminds DFR’s Assistant Chief Berry. “When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly.”
Assistant Chief Berry and Dallas Fire-Rescue offer these tips for smoke alarms:
• Install smoke alarms inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home, including the basement.
• Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
• It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound.
• Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
• There are two kinds of alarms. Ionization smoke alarms are quicker to warn about flaming fires. Photoelectric alarms are quicker to warn about smoldering fires. It is best to use both types of alarms in the home.
• A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet from the stove.
• People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
For more information about services at Parkland, please visit www.parklandhospital.com