Crime & Safety

Cedar Grove Plans Fire Prevention Programs

Fire department plans sessions with young students in coordination with National Fire Sprinkler Association efforts o promote fire safety, public awarenes for the week of Oct. 7-13.

The National Fire Sprinkler Association, the longest-tenured fire sprinkler advocacy organization in the U.S., has launched National Fire Prevention Week the week of Oct. 7-13.

National Fire Prevention Week is an annual public awareness campaign to promote fire safety throughout the country.

In recognition of the importance of the week, the Cedar Grove Fire Department will visit district elementary schools teach young students about fire prevention and give them a tour of a real working firetruck.

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“This week is to remind everyone to change the batteries in their smoke detectors, as well as a to educate the public about fire prevention and how to stay safe in your home,” said Cedar Grove Fire Chief Michael Tower. 

“It's important to conduct a home fire drill at least once a year,” he said. “The first thing to do is to have a meeting place outside the home where you can account for all occupants.”

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This year’s Fire Prevention theme is “Have 2 Ways Out!,” which aims to do just that. 

“National Fire Prevention Week is critical in educating the public about the dangers of fire and how to protect themselves and their families,” said Russell Fleming, President of NFSA. “Fire sprinklers play a key role in protecting people and firefighters from the tragedies that fire can cause. To date, there has never been a multiple loss-of-life in a home that has a properly installed and maintained fire sprinkler system. I urge the public to learn more about how they can prevent and protect themselves and their families from the dangers of fire.”

Here are some fire safety tips for families from the National Fire Sprinkler Association: 

  • Make an escape plan
  • Install smoke detectors in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home and check the batteries often
  • Install fire sprinklers throughout your house
  • Once you’re out, stay out! Do not re-enter a burning building
  • Practice your home fire escape plan twice a year 

Here are some fire sprinkler facts from the National Fire Sprinkler Association: 

  • To date, there has never been a multiple loss of life because of a fire in a structure with a fully installed and well-maintained sprinkler system.
  • The chances of dying in a fire are reduced by as much as three-fourths and the average property loss is cut by as much as two-thirds, compared to fires where sprinklers are not present. 
  • Sprinklers are activated by heat, not smoke. In fact, the heat necessary to set off your average sprinkler is anywhere from 150 to 165 degrees, in other words only the level of heat a fire would cause.
  • Only one or two sprinkler heads activate in 81% of fires with wet pipe sprinkler systems operating, and in 56% of fires with dry pipe systems.  In 90% of all instances, no more than four sprinkler heads activate to suppress and/or extinguish the fire.
  • The cost to install fire sprinklers is roughly $1.61 per square foot of coverage, comparable to the cost of installing carpeting.
  • On average, a fire sprinkler will use 10-26 gallons of water per minute to control a home fire.  This is compared to the estimated 150-250 gallons that is used by firefighters, which equals 8.5-15 times more water used than a sprinkler system. 

“When there is a fire, it activates the sprinkler which surpressed the fire and limits the fire damage to the structure,” said Tower. “The longer the fire burns, the more there is a potential for damage and if someone is trapped in the house, their chances of living are diminished.”

To see how prepared you are in case of a fire take by taking this quiz

For more information on National Fire Prevention Week and local events in your area, click here.


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