Fire Prevention Week commemorates Chicago fire

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dillon White
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Fire prevention week was created to raise fire safety awareness and to commemorate the Chicago fire tragedy. In the Great Chicago Fire, 250 people were killed Oct. 8 to 9 in 1871. The two-day fire also destroyed more than 17,000 buildings. 

To raise awareness and support for this year's program which focuses on home-fire prevention, the Malmstrom fire department, in conjunction with local fire departments will be hosting educational activities Oct. 5 to 11. 

These activities will include a children's fire truck ride, a "Test Your Smoke Detector" poster contest at Loy Elementary, fire education displays at the base exchange and commissary, fire department tours and a fire truck parade comprised of local fire department trucks to finish the week. 

Keep your house fire-safe and family prepared 
Fire safety inspections are not required in base housing, but can be requested, said John Gilmore, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron senior assistant fire chief. 

"We are more than happy to do inspections when people ask us to," Chief Gilmore said. "The fire dangers we most often encounter are overloaded extension cords, candles near combustible items like curtains, space heaters and smoking." 

Extension cords create a fire hazard when they are used with microwave ovens, stereos or other appliances that draw more wattage and amperage than the cord is designed for, Chief Gilmore said. 

"Extension cords are generally designed for things that don't use a lot of energy, like lamps or alarm clocks," Chief Gilmore said. "People should use a surge protector with appliances instead." 

To find how many watts and amps an extension cord can safely support, look on the tag attached to the extension cord. Underwriters Laboratories stickers found on appliances will list the amp and watts a certain item will use, Chief Gilmore said. 

Extension cords can also cause a fire hazard when routed underneath rugs, Chief Gilmore said. 

"When people walk over the cord, it wears away the insulation and the wiring can come in contact creating sparks. The rug then captures the heat, and can start a fire," he said.
Space heaters used on base must be certified by the Underwriters Laboratories, an independent product safety certification organization, be equipped with a tip-over switch, which turns the unit off if it is tipped over, and a thermostat. 

Cooking also presents a fire hazard, said Daniel Dodson, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron deputy fire chief. 

"We have had cases on base where a family left their home with something on the stove," Mr. Dodson said. "If someone is boiling something in water, the water boil out and the items in the pan can heat up creating a fire that can then spread throughout the house." 

In the event a fire does occur in the kitchen, The fire should be put out with an extinguisher, and not water, he said. 

"If there is any grease involved with the fire, pouring water into the pan will create an explosion that will splatter the grease and spread the fire further," Mr. Dodson said.
Further fire prevention tactics include checking smoke alarms monthly, Chief Gilmore said. 

"To test them, simply press the button," he said. "When one fire alarm goes off, they should all go off." 

If a smoke alarm is inoperative, people should call housing maintenance to have it replaced. In conjunction with testing smoke alarms, monthly fire drills are also important, Chief Gilmore said. 

"People naturally panic during a fire. If you practice fire drills, then you will have a plan of escape in your head that will kick in," Chief Gilmore said. "We also encourage people to grab their cell phone or portable phone if possible and call 911 from outside the house instead of calling from inside." 

Residents in duplex houses also need to knock on their neighbors door to alert them, he said. 

"It has been six years since there was a structure fire on base, and that is a record that is hard to beat," Chief Gilmore said. "[The Malmstrom community] should be proud of themselves. Supervisors and commanders at Malmstrom are really aware of what fire prevention is and how important it is. Their support is outstanding"