by Jason Pallotta, Asst. Chief, Inlet Vol. Fire Dept.

As we go into another season, I would like to pass along some household fire tips that will help keep you and your family safe.

Though you may regard some of these tips to be mostly common sense, overlooking just one could cause serious problems.

As always, if you have questions or concerns regarding these tips or if you have any other questions about fire safety, don’t hesitate to contact your local codes office or fire department.

I can be reached at the Inlet Fire Department at (315)-357- 6601. Please leave a message.

And remember, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors save lives!

Washer and Dryer Facts: In one year, the 17,700 reported structure fires involving washers or dryers resulted in 15 civilian deaths, 360 civilian injuries, and $194 million in property damage.Clothes dryers accounted for 92% of the fires; washing machines, 4%; and combo units, 3%.

The leading cause of “dryer fires” was: failure to clean lint traps, 29%; mechanical failure, 24%; and electrical failure, 13%.

Safety Tips:

• Have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional

• Do not use your dryer without a lint filter

• Make sure you clean the lint filter before each use and remove any lint that collects around the drum

• Rigid or flexible metal venting material should be used to sustain proper air flow and drying

• Make sure the air exhaust vent pipe is not restricted and the outdoor vent flap will open

• Once a year, or more often if you notice that it is taking longer than normal to dry your clothes, clean the lint out of the vent pipe or have a professional do it for you

• Follow manufacturers operating instructions

• Do not overload the dryer

• Turn off dryer if you leave home or go to bed

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Kitchen Fire Facts: Cooking fires are the leading cause of home structure fires and associated civilian injuries and the third leading cause of home fire deaths.

During a five-month period, fire departments responded to 155,400 home structure fires that involved cooking.

These fires caused an estimated 390 civilian deaths, 4,800 civilian injuries, and $771 million in property damage.

Unattended cooking was by far the leading contributing factor.

Fifty-eight percent of reported non-fatal home cooking fire injuries occurred when the victims tried to fight the fire themselves.

Safety Tips:

• Be alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, do not use the stove or stove top

• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling food

• If you are simmering, baking,  roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly. Remain in the home while food is cooking and use a timer

• Keep anything combustible (oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains) away from your stove top.

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Portable Generators Facts: Carbon Monoxide (C.O.) deaths associated with generators have spiked in recent years as generator sales have risen.

In 1999, generators were associated with 6% of the total yearly estimated C.O. poisoning deaths associated with all consumer products compared to 24% in 2002.

There were at least 64 deaths in 2005 alone due to C.O. poisoning associated with generators.

Safety Tips:

• Generators should be operated in well-ventilated locations— outdoors away from all doors, windows, and vent openings

• Never use a generator in an attached garage, even with the door open

• Turn off generators and let them cool before refueling. Never refuel a generator while its running

• Proper transfer switches should be installed by a qualified electrician

• Generators used to power a home incorrectly can send power back into the power grid that could cause injury or death to electric workers or emergency personnel

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Heating Facts: Heating equipment fires ac counted for 18% of all reported home fires in 2009 (second behind cooking) and 22% of home fire deaths.

Space heaters, whether portable or stationary, accounted for one-third (32%) of home heating fires and four out of five (79%) of home heating fire deaths.

The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (26%) was failure to clean creosote from solid fueled heating equipment. Placing combustibles too close to heating equipment—such as furniture, clothing, mattresses, or bedding—was the leading factor contributing to ignition in fatal home heating fires and accounted for more than half (53%) of home heating fire deaths.

Safety Tips:

• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment

• Have a three-foot “Kid-Free Zone” around open fires and space heaters

• Never use your oven to heat your home

• Have a qualified professional install heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturers instructions

• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional

• Remember to turn off portable heaters when leaving the room or going to bed

• Always use the proper fuel specified by the manufacturer for fuel-burning space heaters

• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room

• Ashes should be cool before putting them into a metal container.

Keep the container away from your home.