Child Alert and Pet Alert Fire Rescue Decals on Windows Save Lives by Alerting Firefighters to Save Children And Pets Inside

October is Fire Prevention Month. Consumers Are reminded to take measures to help protect their children, families and pets from injury and death resulting from residential home fires.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) October 11, 2004 -- Fire Prevention Month is being observed nationally this month with educational campaigns underway to educate Americans about fire safety and preventing fire injury and fatalities.

Prevention, smoke alarms and window decals are cited as three key things that Americans can do to minimize the loss of life and injury due to residential house fires.

According to the latest data collected by the National Fire Protection Association in 2002, there were 401,000 residential home fires reported in the United States, resulting in 2,670 deaths, 13,650 injuries resulting in approximately $22,000 per case, and $5.9 billion in direct property damage.

Although the Insurance industry reported greater losses in property damage in 2003, the 2,670 deaths in 2002 was the lowest figure seen since NFPA began collecting this data in 1977, deaths in residential fires have fallen 54 percent in the past five years.

At the same time, nationwide, it is estimated that there is a home fire death every 170 minutes -- typically between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The National Fire Protection Association, and the National Association of Firefighters, are both looking for ways to educate the public in an effort to reduce the incidence of residential fires which cause significant financial losses, debilitating injuries and deaths each year.

With more fires occurring particularly in the winter months, Fire Prevention Week is a time to remind the public of fire prevention tips. For example, firefighters and first responders recommend:

? Install smoke detectors/alarms on each level of the home. Experts believe 70 percent of fatalities occur in homes without smoke detectors.

? Place fire warning decals on windows to alert firefighters about children, pets and others inside. Firefighters cite rescue window decals as a key to knowing who may be inside and in need of rescue.

? Replace batteries every six months in existing smoke alarms. Spring and Fall when the seasonal daylight savings time changes is a good reminder.

? Practice a family fire escape plan with two different routes, and review the plan regularly to ensure everyone is prepared.

? Put fire extinguishers in the garage, basement, kitchen and each level of the home. Check them annually to recharge them as necessary.

? Know the dangers of space heaters and make sure the heaters are unobstructed. Space heaters should never used in bedrooms.

? Keep matches and lighters out of childrens reach. Playing with fire is a leading cause of accidents and serious burns for boys aged 3-12.

? Teach children what to do in case of a fire: Stop, drop and roll if clothes are on fire.

? Check furnace and fireplace chimneys with each seasonal change. Soot build-up and bird nests can cause a fire hazard.

? Use emergency release devices on windows with burglar bars and security doors. Although outlawed in most cities, many older buildings still have security bars installed that cannot be opened from the inside. This remains a significant risk for people living in lower income neighborhoods and large cities.

Children are particularly at risk. According to the 2002 National Safe Kids Foundation (NSKF), approximately 92,500 children aged 14 and under were injured in residential fires that year. The organization documented that 493 children died in approximately 400,000 residential fires. Nearly 54 percent of the deceased children were at age four and under.

In all cases, 70 percent of all fire-related deaths were related to smoke inhalation. Burns accounted for the cause of death in an additional 25 percent of the fire-related deaths.

Looking to 2005, firefighters and various organizations are implementing efforts aimed at reducing fatalities due to residential fires, launching educational efforts to encourage families on how to prepare a fire family escape plan, increase use of smoke alarms, and use fire rescue warning decals on windows and doors to help notify firefighters that children and others may be inside a burning home.

Since 1985, eSafetyAlert has offered 3 ½" X 5 ½" fluorescent orange fire rescue window decals that read: "CHILD ALERT, In Case of Fire, SAVE Child INSIDE." Another decal reads: "In Case of Fire, SAVE ___ Children INSIDE."

A total of eight versions are available, including window decals for pets, senior citizens and disabled persons.

"People are horrified when they realize how helpless their children, elderly parents,
disabled family members and pets would be in a fire," said Todd Appleman, creator of the fire rescue decals. "Many of these tragedies can be avoided if firefighters have better information about who might be inside."

He added, "Fires create heat and poisonous gases that can kill in a matter of seconds, said Appleman. "Having a smoke alarm can dramatically increase the chances of escaping a burning home, and since many victims cannot escape in time, the fire rescue decals alert firefighters of who might be inside the moment that they arrive on the scene. This combination of safety measures can mean the difference between life and death."

The 3 ½" X 5 ½" decals can either be ordered online or by mailing a self addressed, stamped envelope to eSafetyAlert, P.O. Box 69813, Los Angeles, CA 90069. Include $5 for each set of four decals.

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