The National Preparedness Month has been observed each September by the Sunflower County Emergency Management Agency, American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Disaster Ready and other catastrophe preparedness organizations in an effort to strengthen disaster readiness in communities and the nation.
The goal of the National Preparedness Month is the increase the overall number of individuals, families, and communities that engage preparedness actions at home, work, business, school and place of worship, according to the official website of the Department of Homeland Security.
Local first responders and preparedness professionals say citizens should be ready for disasters of many types year-round.
“On average, in Mississippi, the American Red Cross responds to five home fires everyday of the year,” according to the American Red Cross website.
Betty Allison, Disaster Program Specialist, American Red Cross, said that number is consistent with what her office sees yearly, stating that in a typical year, home fires kill more people than all other natural disasters combined in the United States.
Fire Chief Eugene Snipes, Indianola Fire Department, said that fires usually happen between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m.
“Most people are usually asleep,” said Snipes.
Snipes explained the fire triangles or combustion triangles, that “fire is a living and breathing thing; it needs three elements to live or ignite. Fire needs fuel, heat and air.”
“The American Red Cross urges families to develop a fire escape plan so everyone in the household knows what to do if a fire occurs,” said Allison. “Things can happen very quickly and sometimes there are only minutes to react. Planning ahead can help keep households safe.”
Snipes shared a few kitchen safety tips:
• Don’t wear loose clothing while cooking.
• Don’t throw water on a grease fire. Instead, stand behind the flame and place a lid on the skillet (pan).
• Don’t place fire extinguishers near the stove.
• Do use a five pound fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
• Stand about six feet away from fire, aim the fire hose at the base of the fire-this cuts off the heat flow.
Snipes said it is important to know how to use a fire extinguisher. Do so by pulling the safety pin, aim at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle to release extinguishing agent and sweep the nozzle from side to side
The following are some tips for the Holidays:
• Don’t overload electrical outlets.
• Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
• Teach your children that matches and lighters are tools and not toys.
Additional Home Fire Safety and Preventions:
• Kids should know the sound of smoke detectors.
• Smoke detectors are early warnings and save lives
• Smoke detectors should be placed in every sleeping area and outside of sleeping areas and at each level in your home.
• Exit drills should be practiced at least once a month.
• Each family member should know at least two ways out of each room
• Don’t place bars on windows.
• If bars are on windows-place bar keys near windows and practice using keys during fire drills.
• Have a meeting place-teach kids the meeting place during fire drills
• Teach your children the name and physical address of their home and how to dial 911.
Ben Grant, Sunflower County, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Director, provided the following tips to families:
• Stay up-to-date on weather conditions via MEMA face book, Sunflower County MEMA face book, weather services, and local weather television channels.
• Create an emergency preparedness kit. Please include important papers, drinking water, medicine, and canned food.
• If evacuation occurs, prepare items for 72 hours per person.
• Have a primary and alternate shelter location and communication plan.
For more information, contact FEMA.gov or Ready.gov.
