A kitchen towel near a lit burner or a blanket thrown too close to a heater — it doesn’t take much to start a devastating fire.
More than 50 people died in nearly 10,000 house fires statewide in 2006. Cooking and heating happen to be among the leading causes of home fires in the U.S., according to the Snohomish County Fire Prevention Association.
Local fire departments are encouraging people to learn more about preventing house fires during Fire Prevention Week, beginning Oct. 5.
“While the number of house fires is daunting, the good news is that many are easily preventable when families take simple steps to increase their safety from fire,” said Steve Sherman, Fire District 1 deputy chief and president of the Snohomish County Fire Prevention Association.
Fire officials say a few simple tips could save people from losing their home — or their lives. Tips include:
* Stay in the kitchen when you’re cooking.
* Have heaters and chimneys inspected and cleaned by professionals.
* Keep flammables from light bulbs, light fixtures and lamps.
* Use flashlights during power outages, not candles.
“In addition to taking steps to prevent home fires, we encourage residents to ensure that smoke alarms are installed on every level of the home (and are) tested once a month. The batteries need to be changed once a year, and all smoke alarms should be replaced with a new unit after 10 years,” said Audrey Duncan, spokeswoman for Snohomish County Fire District 3 in Monroe.
Fire departments will offer a number of activities to celebrate the week. Some of the events include:
A coloring contest sponsored by the Snohomish County Fire Prevention Association, Sno-Isle Libraries and Safe Kids Snohomish County. To participate, go to www.snosafekids.org and click on coloring contest. Entries will be collected at Sno-Isle libraries until Oct. 22.
An open house at Fire District 7 is from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the headquarters station, 8010 180th St. SE, Bothell.
An open house at Fire District 3 is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 11 at Fire Station 31, 163 Village Court, Monroe.
Snohomish firefighters plan to talk to students in four elementary schools about fire prevention.
Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.
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