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!
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!
May is National Electrical Safety Month and E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety wants to raise the public’s awareness about potential electrical home hazards and the importance of electrical safety. Practicing fire safety is especially important with more people staying home during Michigan’s Stay Home-Stay Safe executive order. Home fires have claimed the lives of 57 Michiganders since January 1st (a 46% increase over the same period – Jan 1 – May 1, 2019).
Listen to this morning’s live interview on WKZO AM 590 and FM 106.9 with Firefighter Michael McLeieer, Founder and President of E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc.
Look around for electrical hazards in your home and correct them. Items such as electrical cords under rugs or pinched behind furniture, overloaded outlets, and laptops and phones charging on beds or sofas can expose you and your family to the risk of fire.
According to the United States Fire Administration, electrical fires in our homes claim the lives of 485 Americans each year and injure 2,305 more. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) research indicates there are approximately 45,000 home electrical fires each year throughout the United States. Some of these fires are caused by electrical system failures and appliance defects, but many more are caused by the misuse and poor maintenance of electrical appliances, incorrectly installed wiring, and overloaded circuits and extension cords. Half of all home electrical fires involve lighting equipment or home electrical wiring and most electrical wiring fires start in the bedroom. Home electrical fire deaths peak between midnight and 8:00 a.m.
The following are tips to assist you in preventing electrical fires:
Potential Warning Signs and Hazards
Call your local fire department immediately if you have warning signs such as arcs, sparks, or short circuits. Other warning signs include hearing a sizzling or buzzing sound or a light smell of something burning. Immediate attention to these signs can save lives.
Call a professional electrician soon if you have any of these warning signs:
Everyone in your family should practice fire safety everyday because Fire Is Everyone’s Fight® Where You Live!
Ask any teacher and they’ll tell you that the lessons can be taught but the real magic is when the student shows that the lesson was learned.
And in the Eaton County community of Olivet that lesson could have been a lifesaver.
You might remember Jake the Fire Safety Dog.
He’s an important part of the 6 News “Safety for You” effort in mid Michigan.
Every year Jake visits dozens of classrooms to demonstrate the importance of having a fire escape plan and how to crawl to safety during a fire.
Last week fire hit an Olivet garage and forced a family from their home at 2 a.m.
When firefighters arrived they found the family gathered together in a safe place while the fire was put out.
Afterwards, while talking with Fire Chief John Collins, the family was explaining what happened and what they did during the fire.
That’s when their 5-year-old daughter piped up and proudly said that they had a safe meeting place because Jake the Fire Dog taught them about it when he visited a preschool class.
No one was injured and this is the 50th documented time a family was “saved” by a child who saw a Jake the Fire Dog or other E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety presentation.
ONLINE: Jake the Fire Safety Dog
Portable heaters need space. This feature segment by WLNS 6 News and the Delta Township Fire Department near Lansing Michigan shows how quickly fire can spread.