CONCORD.NH – The NH State Fire Marshal’s Office is teaming up with fire departments statewide, and the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!” The campaign runs from October 6-12, 2019 and works to educate everyone about the small but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from fire.
NFPA statistics show that in 2017 U.S. fire departments responded to 357,000 home structure fires. These fires caused 2,630 fire deaths and 10,600 fire-related injuries. On average, seven people died in a fire in a home per day during 2012 to 2016. In New Hampshire, we have suffered close to 30 fire-related deaths in the past two and a half years, with five fire deaths confirmed so far in 2019.
“Residential fires continue to pose a significant threat to life safety, and we need to be especially mindful of this as the temperatures fall and residents begin to think about turning on their heat. In New Hampshire, a common cause of fires is solid fuel-burning appliances such as wood and coal in wood/pellet stoves and furnaces,” stated NH State Fire Marshal Paul J. Parisi.
Along with proper maintenance of these appliances – and chimneys if you have them – escape planning and practice can be critical for helping you make the most of the time you have, especially providing enough time to escape. When fatalities are caused by fires, 4 in 5 tend to occur at home and residents typically only have two minutes or less to escape after being alerted by their smoke alarm.
“Situational awareness needs to be used at all times, wherever people go,” explained Parisi. “No matter where you are, always be aware of all available exits. If the fire alarm system sounds, take it seriously and exit the building immediately.”
Across New Hampshire, fire departments are hosting events in support of this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!”
Whether you are headed out to get your pumpkins or apples at an orchard, or checking out one of many harvest festivals or craft fairs, take a few minutes to see what your area fire department has going on for fire prevention week. These are a few towns we know have scheduled events during fire prevention week:
- Seacoast – Derry, Hampton, Pease Crash Fire Rescue, Rochester, Somersworth
- Southern NH – Bedford, Brookline, Hudson, Salem
- Upper Valley – Claremont
- North Country – Franconia, Lancaster, Woodsville
- Southwest – Keene
- Capital Area – Deering, Henniker
For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and home escape planning, visit www.fpw.org.
