What Every Homeowner Should Know About Summer Fire Safety

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Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) July 25, 2007

Summer is here, which means families across America are enjoying outdoor activities like vacations, camping, picnics and backyard barbecues more than any other time of year. But, did you know outdoor fire-related activities, like grilling and fireworks, injure more than 8,000 Americans every year? This summer, in particular, fire safety is of grave concern as wildfires rage in the southern and western parts of the U.S.

As you and your loved ones make plans for the warmer weather, please consider some important facts and tips every homeowner should know about summer fire safety. Understanding how to protect and prepare yourselves for a fire emergency will give you and your family peace of mind both indoors and outdoors this season.

Fast Facts

Too often, Americans take for granted that a tragedy will not strike in their own lives. Unfortunately, though, nearly half a million families experience home fire tragedies firsthand each year. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), house fires were responsible for more than 3,000 civilian deaths and nearly 18,000 injuries.

Additionally, USFA's National Fire Data Center estimates that outside cooking grills cause more than 6,000 fires, 175 casualties and $35 million in property loss. Many of these fires are attributed to gas grill leaks, blocked tubes and overfilled propane tanks.

Fire safety awareness and prevention can help curb these statistics, but there are several residential fire safety misconceptions that may contribute to this high casualty rate. To better understand these misconceptions, PEARL Protected, creators of the patented Permanent Escape And Rescue Ladder (PEARL®), conducted an online survey of nearly 500 U.S. homeowners.

The findings showed that:

•     Nearly 20 percent of the 500 homeowners surveyed believe they have between four and five minutes to escape from their home once a smoke alarm sounds. NFPA reports that the amount of time is actually three minutes or less.
•     Just over half of respondents (53 percent) have a fire escape plan for their home. A meager 15 percent report actually practicing their plan on an annual basis.
•     While only eight percent of respondents have been in a fire, 36 percent know a friend, family or co-worker who has experienced a house fire.

Be Prepared

So what can you and your family do to be prepared for summer fire hazards at home and on the road? You can start by familiarizing yourselves with some important safety precautions for barbecues, campfires and summer storms. Applying these prevention tips to your indoor and outdoor activities can help decrease the likelihood of fire emergencies this summer.

•     Never leave children unattended near outdoor grills, fireworks or campfires. Be sure they know how to dial 911 in case of an emergency.
•     Keep a fire extinguisher, garden hose or bucket of water (or sand) nearby when using outdoor grills or campfires in case of emergency.
•     Avoid loose clothing around any kind of outdoor fire or flame.
•     Do not add lighter fluid to an already lit fire. The flame can flashback up into the container and explode.
•     Never use a grill in enclosed areas. Carbon monoxide can be produced, leading to the increased likelihood of fire.
•     Be sure the outdoor grill is fully extinguished before disposing of contents. Douse hot coals with water and stir them to be sure the fire is out. Store them in a metal container far away from your home or combustibles for at least 24 hours afterward.
•     Do not overfill the propane tank and check the connection between the tank and the fuel line to be sure it is not blocked.
•     After lighting a campfire, do not discard the match until it is cold. Break it apart so that you can feel the charred portion before you dispose of it.
•     Use long handled tongs and skewers when cooking over a grill or campfire to prevent injury to yourself and to prohibit the spread of flames to clothing.
•     Store fuel for outdoor equipment like lawn mowers in approved containers. Place containers away from the home and far from any heat source.
•     Never throw a lighted cigarette from the window of a vehicle or walk off and leave a burning cigarette.
•     Remove overhanging branches, tall grass, brush, dead leaves and shrubbery that touch or are too close to your home. It will quickly fuel a wildfire or lightening fire approaching your house.
•     Remember - the same elements that cause outdoor fires, like lightening or grilling, can quickly spread to your home. Make sure smoke alarms are working properly and make sure you practice two ways out of each room of your home. For upstairs bedrooms, consider an easy-to-use permanently installed recessed escape solution like the PEARL® - Permanent Escape Ladder to enable fast, effective escape.

Apply Your Knowledge

Now that you have learned some important fire safety facts and tips, take our online quiz to test your knowledge. You can also download a copy of this FREE fire safety activity book to entertain your kids during your next family road trip.

Sources:

•     U.S. Fire Administration Holiday/Seasonal Fire Prevention/Summer Fire Safety
•     National Fire Protection Association Fire Loss in the U.S. During 2005
•     Survey data provided by PEARL Protected courtesy of Zoomerang (Winter 2006-2007)

About PEARL Protected
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, PEARL Protected is redefining the standards of home and fire safety through its patented, breakthrough product - PEARL - a revolutionary Permanent Escape And Rescue Ladder that can be quickly and easily deployed in the event of a residential fire or other home emergency. It is currently available through a variety of channels, including the company's national installation partner - Mr. Handyman, homebuilders, building supply dealers, security companies, remodelers and other maintenance specialists. PEARL can also be ordered directly through the PEARL Protected website (http://www.pearlprotected.com) or via phone at 800.374.5737.

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