Firefighter Michael McLeieer, president and founder of E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc. talks with WLNS 6 News anchor Chivon Kloepfer about the Fire Prevention Week theme for 2021 and ways you and your family can prevent a home fire and stay safe!
It’s #FirePreventionWeek! This year’s theme is Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety! ™ E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc. president and founder firefighter Michael McLeieer talks to Ken Lanphear on the WKZO AM 590 and FM 106.9 Morning Show about this year’s theme and steps you and your family can take to prevent a home fire and stay safe.
Here is a link to the live interview on Monday October 4, 2021 at 6:50 a.m.:
The next stop of the day was in Grand Rapids on eightWest at WOOD TV 8 at the downtown Media Art Center Studio inside the Grand Rapids Art Museum at Rosa Park Circle.
Here is the link to that broadcast:
10/04/2021 – WLNS 6 News – Sunday, October 3rd kicks off the start of Fire Prevention Week with experts focusing on reminding people to have working smoke alarms at home. A beeping smoke alarm in the middle of the night might be tempting to pull out the battery to make it stop. But Fire Inspector Michael Roberts with Delta Township Fire Department says don’t do it.
“It’s still very concerning how many times we have a smoke alarm issue or we have a fire and there are still not working smoke alarms in a home,” he said.
He said that people often just forget to install smoke alarms or replace the batteries. Roberts has some advice on where to place your smoke detector.
“…away from the wall, away from the exhaust fans, ductwork, ceiling fans. So that they can detect smoke the quickest, ” he said, “we personally like them up in the ceiling”.
Delta Township Fire Department recommends changing your smoke detector batteries every six months. A good rule of thumb is when you change your clocks during your daylight savings time you should also change the batteries on your smoke detectors.
But fire prevention week isn’t just a reminder to check your smoke detectors, it’s also about making sure you’re doing your part to keep firefighters safe.
“The number two cause of firefighter fatalities in the United States is vehicle accidents. And so we want to come out and make sure that everybody understands that what we do is dangerous, even when we are driving to emergencies, trying to get to people who are asking for our help,” Roberts said.
Fire safety expert Michael McLeieer says distractions like phones or loud music can keep drivers from noticing fire trucks on the road until it’s too late.
“Part of the problem today is that our vehicles today are much better insulated than what they ever used to be. And if we have a stereo on, we have the air conditioner on, or what have you, we might not necessarily hear that emergency sirens or see those flashing lights,” he said.
Roberts said first responders are more likely to get into a crash on the way to a scene. He hopes drivers remember a simple tip.
“Pull over to the right. Let that emergency traffic go by so that we can keep the community safe and you can help keep us safe,” he said.
Fire Prevention Week 2021 Contest
Fire Prevention Week 2021 is October 3 – 9 and we have a fun way to celebrate together!
Post a photo or video of your favorite fire safety action or slogan now through October 9th to Jake The Fire Dog’s social media pages (Facebook, Twitter or Instagram) and use #MISAFE as the hashtag. Examples include drawing a slogan (Get Out and Stay Out, Know Two Ways Out of Every Room, Close your bedroom door before you go to sleep) or posting a photo of your family drawing and practicing your home escape plan, going outside to the meeting place…a tree, a neighbor’s house, a sidewalk, or your outside safe meeting spot) or creating your own message that will encourage others to take proactive steps to prevent a home fire and stay safe!
Here is a free template to download and draw your home fire escape map! Home Escape Map WOTV
We will select a few entries and award fun prizes to the winners!
Hurry, the contest ends on October 9th!
Maranda from WOOD TV 8 and WOTV4Women was joined by many of her friends live from the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Wedgwood Christian Services, John Ball Zoo and E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire & Safety all came to take part in Maranda’s Art Prize fun.
October is Fire Prevention Month but it’s important your family is prepared and stays safe all year long! The Keeping Michigan S.A.F.E.™ Installation Program has created a list of area smoke alarm and/or carbon monoxide alarm installation programs across West Michigan. Check it out below!
Allegan County:
- Dorr Township Fire Department – 616-681-9874
- Fennville Area Fire Department – 269-561-2148
- Ganges Township Fire Department – 269-227-3806
- Graafschap Fire and Rescue – 616-396-4060
- Salem Township Fire – 616-292-7789
- Saugatuck Township Fire District – 269-857-3000
- Wayland Fire Department – 269-779-2999
Barry County:
- Yankee Springs Fire Department – 269-779-299
Branch County
- Bronson Fire Department – 517-369-6475 – s.wilber@bronson-mi.com
- Coldwater Fire Department – 517-278-4177
Calhoun County:
- Battle Creek Fire Department – 269-966-3519
- Marengo Township Fire Department – 269-781-8422
Eaton County:
- Bellevue Community Fire Department – 517-719-0861 – chief@bellevuefiremi.com
- Charlotte Fire Department – 517-543-0241 – tfullerton@charlottemi.org
- Olivet Fire Department – 517-588-9440 – justin.southern@olivetfire.org
Kalamazoo County:
- American Red Cross – 269-353-6180
- Kalamazoo Township Fire Department – 269-888-2171 – tckowalski@ktwp.org
- Portage Department of Public Safety – Fire Division – 269-329-4487
Kent County:
- American Red Cross – 616-456-8661
- Byron Township Fire Department – 616-878-9174 – mtilma@byrontwpfire.com
- Cutlerville Fire Department – 616-455-7670
- Dutton Fire Department – 616-541-0119
- Grand Rapids Fire Department – 616-456-3966
- Kent City Fire Department – 616-678-4330 – kentcityfire@gmail.com
- Kentwood Fire Department – 616-554-0800
- Lowell Area Fire Department – 616-897-7354 – switherell@ci.lowell.mi.us
- Walker Fire Department – 616-791-6840
- Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan (must live in Grand Rapids, Kentwood, or Wyoming and have a resident child 14 years of age or younger. Both tenants and owners are eligible) – 616-241-3300 or email info@healthyhomescoalition.org.
Montcalm County:
- Home Township Fire Department (Edmore) – 989-427-3211
Muskegon County:
- Blue Lake Township Fire Department – 231-288-9220
- Casnovia Township Fire Department – 231-834-7066
- Dalton Township Fire Department – 231-766-3277
- Egelston Fire Department – 231-788-2254
- Fruitport Township Fire Department – 231-773-9312
- Holton Township Fire Department – 231-343-6861
- Montague Fire District Authority – 231-893-3311
- Moorland Township Fire Department – 231-769-9402
- Muskegon Charter Township Fire Department – 231-773-4316
- Muskegon Heights Fire Department – 231-733-8893
- Muskegon City Fire Department – 231-724-6795
- North Muskegon Fire Department – 231-744-1766
- Norton Shores Fire Department – 231-799-6809 – nsfd.firemarshal@mcd911.net
- Ravenna Fire Department – 231-638-1142
- White Lake Fire Authority – 231-893-6503
Newaygo County:
- Newaygo Fire Department – 231-519-0494 – Tkroll@newaygofire.com
Oceana County:
- Walkerville Area Fire & Rescue – 231-742-1656 – brianhintz@ymail.com
Ottawa County:
- Allendale Fire Department – 616-895-6295, ext. 30
- Coopersville/Polkton Fire Rescue – 231-638-1444 – DeputyFireChief@cpfd7004.org
- Crockery Township Fire Department – 616-837-6700 (fire station) or 616-837-6868 (township hall)
- Grand Haven Department of Public Safety – 616-842-3460 mdilley@grandhaven.org
- Spring Lake Fire Department – 616-215-1590
St. Joseph County:
- White Pigeon Township Fire Department – 269-483-9414
Van Buren County:
- Bangor Community Fire Department – 269-427-8980 – chiefbabcock@bangorfire.org
For more information on fire safety or to find a smoke alarm installation program near your community, call toll free 1-844-978-4400 or email escape@wotv4women.com.
It’s Fire Prevention Week! Now is the time to PLAN and PRACTICE your ESCAPE from a building fire!
Listen to the interview from October 8th on AM 590 WKZO and FM 106.9
Fifteen to twenty years ago, homes had more ‘natural’ materials in them such as cotton, wool and untreated wood. Because of this, you had 15-20 minutes to escape in the event of a fire. In a typical home fire today, you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds, because of all of the synthetic materials. Escape planning and practice can help you make the most of the time you have, giving everyone enough time to get out.
According to a National Fire Protection Association survey, 71% of households have a fire escape plan, but only 47% of those have practiced it. This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape.™ provides an opportunity for fire and life safety organizations to share how important it is for everyone to have and practice a home fire escape plan.
Many in the community don’t understand the risks from life-threatening heat and toxic smoke produced in a fire. Therefore, firefighters and other community advocates will be working hard throughout October to teach the community about the dangers of fire and smoke, the importance of having working smoke alarms installed throughout their home and help them create and practice a home escape plan.
Why home escape planning and practice matter
- Home escape planning and practice ensure that everyone knows what to do in a fire and is prepared to escape quickly and safely.
- Today’s homes burn faster than ever. You may have as little as two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds.
- When the smoke alarm sounds in a real fire, it’s too late to start to make a plan.
- Sleep with your bedroom door closed. A closed door can actually be an effective barrier against deadly levels of carbon monoxide, smoke and flames – plus it might buy you more time to escape.
What should be included on an escape plan
- Draw or map out the layout of your home, marking two exits from every room (typically a door and a window) and a path from each exit to the outside.
- Pick a meeting place outside in front of your home where everyone will meet upon exiting (examples include a sidewalk, fence, driveway, or neighbor’s house).
- Mark the location of all smoke alarms in your home. (There should be a least one on every level, in each bedroom, and near all sleeping areas).
- Make sure everyone knows how to call 911 or the local emergency number from a mobile phone or neighbor’s phone once they’re safety outside.
Learning about the dangers of fire will help children and adults understand that having a plan is not enough. It’s essential to practice the escape plan with all members of your household at least twice a year so everyone knows what to do if there is a fire in their home.
E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety reminds you in a fire, seconds can mean the difference between a safe escape and a tragic injury or death. Fire safety education isn’t just for school children. Teenagers, adults and the elderly are also at risk in fires, making it important for every member of the community to take the time every October during Fire Prevention Week to make sure they understand how to stay safe in case of a fire and steps they can take to prevent a fire from occurring throughout the year.
About Fire Prevention Week
Since 1922, the National Fire Protection Association has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in the United States. During Fire Prevention Week, children, adults and teachers learn how to stay safe in case of a fire. Firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires.
Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.
For more information about Fire Prevention Week, visit www.firepreventionweek.org.
Stop by the 15th Annual Family Fire Safety Day at Lowe’s in Portage on Saturday October 27, 2018 from 10am – 2pm. Halloween Costume Contest with prizes begins at 11am. Free smoke alarms and 9-volt batteries are available while supplies last!
Here is the :30 spot promoting the 15th Annual Family Fire Safety Day courtesy of WKZO radio!
The 15th Annual Family Fire Safety Day will be held at Lowe’s in Portage on Saturday October 27, 2018 from 10am – 2pm. Free Halloween Costume Contest at 11am with prizes.
Fire can happen anywhere, at any time – day or night. According to the National Fire Protection Association, if you have a reported home fire today, you are more likely to die than you were in 1980. This startling fact is attributed to several factors, including the way homes are built and the contents in them.
This year’s National Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Look. Listen. Learn. Be Aware. Fire can happen anywhere,” works to educate people about three basic but essential steps to take to reduce the likelihood of having a fire – and how to escape in the event of one:
LOOK for places fire could start. Take a good look around your home. Identify potential fire hazards and eliminate them.
LISTEN for the sound of the smoke alarm. You could have only minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Go to your outside meeting place, which should be a safe distance from the home and where everyone should know to meet.
LEARN two ways out of every room, practice your home escape plan with your family and make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily and are free of clutter.
N.F.P.A. reports four out of five U.S. fire deaths occur in homes. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms. While children under 5 and adults over 65 are at the highest risk for injury or death in a fire, people of all ages are vulnerable. In fact, the risk of a nonfatal fire injury is highest for those between 20 and 49, showing that fire safety education is essential for everyone.
E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety reminds you in a fire, seconds can mean the difference between a safe escape and a tragic injury or death. Fire safety education isn’t just for school children. Teenagers, adults and the elderly are also at risk in fires, making it important for every member of the community to take the time every October during Fire Prevention Week to make sure they understand how to stay safe in case of a fire and steps they can take to prevent a fire from occurring.
About Fire Prevention Week
Since 1922, the National Fire Protection Association has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in the United States. During Fire Prevention Week, children, adults and teachers learn how to stay safe in case of a fire. Firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires.
Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.
Here is a list of some of the area smoke alarm or carbon monoxide alarm installation programs across West Michigan:
Allegan County:
Dorr Township Fire Department – 616-681-9874
Fennville Area Fire Department – 269-455-9068
Ganges Township Fire Department – 269-227-3806
Graafschap Fire and Rescue – 616-396-4060
Salem Township Fire – 616-292-7789
Saugatuck Township Fire District – 269-857-3000
Wayland Fire Department – 269-779-2999
Barry:
Yankee Springs Fire Department – 269-779-2999
Branch:
Coldwater Fire Department – 517-278-4177
Calhoun:
Battle Creek Fire Department – 269-966-3519
Eaton:
Bellevue Community Fire Department – 517-719-0861 – chief@bellevuefiremi.com
Olivet Fire Department – 269-492-3340 – michael.mcLeieer@olivetfire.org
Kalamazoo:
American Red Cross – Raul Galvan – 269-762-1935
Kalamazoo Township Fire Department – 269-888-2171 – tckowalski@ktwp.org
Portage Department of Public Safety – Fire Division – 269-329-4487
Kent:
American Red Cross – Nikki Salladay – 269-303-2135 or 616-456-8661
Cutlerville Fire Department – 616-455-7670
Dutton Fire Department – 616-541-0119
Grand Rapids Fire Department – 616-456-3966
Kentwood Fire Department – 616-554-0800
Walker Fire Department – 616-791-6840
Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan (must live in Grand Rapids, Kentwood, or Wyoming and have a resident child 14 years of age or younger. Both tenants and owners are eligible) – 616-241-3300 or email info@healthyhomescoalition.org.
Montcalm:
Home Township Fire Department (Edmore) – 616-902-3923
Muskegon:
Blue Lake Township Fire Department – 231-288-9220
Casnovia Township Fire Department – 231-834-7066
Dalton Township Fire Department – 231-766-3277
Egelston Fire Department – 231-788-2254
Fruitport Township Fire Department – 231-773-9312
Holton Township Fire Department – 231-343-6861
Montague Fire District Authority – 231-893-3311
Moorland Township Fire Department – 231-769-9402
Muskegon Charter Township Fire Department – 231-773-4316
Muskegon Heights Fire Department – 231-733-8893
Muskegon City Fire Department – 231-724-6795
North Muskegon Fire Department – 231-744-1766
Norton Shores Fire Department – 231-799-6809
Ravenna Fire Department – 231-638-1142
White Lake Fire Authority – 231-893-6503
Ottawa:
Allendale Fire Department – 616-895-6295, ext. 30
Crockery Township Fire Department – 616-837-6700 (fire station) or
616-837-6868 (township hall)
Grand Haven Department of Public Safety – 616-842-3460 – mdilley@grandhaven.org
Spring Lake Fire Department – 616-215-1590
If you need smoke alarms or carbon monoxide alarms installed in the home you own, please contact one of the organizations listed above, call the WOTV Operation Save A Life program toll free at 1-844-978-4400 or email escape@wotv4women.com.