The Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District (BCFPD) is proud to partner with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 9 – 15. The theme of this year’s observance is “Protect Your Family from Fire.”
The District believes that fire safety is a topic that should not be taken lightly. According to the NFPA, fire departments across the United States responded to 362,500 home fires in 2009 alone. These caused nearly 2,600 deaths, more than 12,600 injuries, and $7.6 billion in damages.
The BCFPD Board of Trustees encourages residents to learn more about ways to protect their families from fire. A wide range of educational materials and tip sheets are available online at www.firepreventionweek,org.
Closer to home, District residents will reduce their risk of home fire injuries by:
- Developing Home Escape Plans – Develop a home fire escape plan and practice it with yourfamily twice per year. Studies prove that fire can consume a home in less than two minutes, so rapid escape is essential for increasing a family’s odds of survival.
- Maintaining Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors – Two-thirds of home fire deaths happenin homes with no working smoke detectors. That’s why it is essential for residents to test smoke andcarbon monoxide detectors in their homes once per month, and replace batteries twice per year. A good rule of thumb is to replace detector batteries when changing the clocks to daylight saving time in spring, and back to standard time each fall.
- Cooking with Care – Unattended cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fires and associated injuries. Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. Turn off the stove if you leave the kitchen – even for a short period of time.
- Installing Automated Sprinkler Systems – According to NFPA statistics, automatic sprinkler systems reduce the risk of fire deaths by 80 percent. Sprinklers also may decrease fire-related property damage by up to 70 percent.
The BCFPD is a recognized leader in its advocacy of fire sprinkler systems. Fire District trustees passed an ordinance requiring installation of automatic sprinkler systems in all new residential construction in 1997. The ordinance covers all areas of unincorporated Cook, Lake and McHenry Counties served by the BCFPD.
Two of the four communities that rely on the District for fire protection – Lake Barrington and Inverness – have also passed similar sprinkler ordinances.
For more information about BCFPD activities and events, call 847-304-3600 or visit www.bcfpd.org.
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