Burning issue: When will
safety message get through?

Fire Safety
By Thomas Sroka

Once again tragedy has struck the citizens of Philadelphia.
Not a natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina. Not a terrorist attack, as on 9/11. No, this tragedy is one that happens all too often, and, sadly enough, is one that should have a different outcome.
What I’m referring to is the recent fire fatalities in neighborhoods across our city. In each case there was no early warning; there were no smoke alarms.
What will it take for everyone to realize that smoke alarms are an absolute must if we are to survive a fire in our home? What more can the Philadelphia Fire Department do?
We have a hotline that people can call (215-686-1176) if they need smoke alarms but can’t afford them. We have literature available, and we have firefighters doing a lot in the form of community outreach.
The department’s Fire Prevention Division has exhausted every means possible to get information to the public, yet we still continue to have the same old story — most of our fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms.
I can’t understand why anyone would be so negligent and irresponsible as to put their family in danger in their own home by not making the small effort to have and maintain smoke alarms. Too many people have their priorities in the wrong place. We know fires happen. We know it doesn’t matter who or where. It is hard for us to understand why so many of the houses where we’re summoned to fatal fires have cable TV, cell phones and other more costly luxuries — but the homeowners failed to install inexpensive, lifesaving smoke alarms.
It is very disturbing to think about how far out of whack our priorities are. Isn’t the safety of our families important? It is time for everyone to take responsibility for themselves. The Philadelphia Fire Department will do its part. We’re asking you to do yours.
Make sure you have at least one smoke alarm on each level of your house. That includes the basement and attic. Test them at least once a month. Change the batteries twice a year. We suggest you do it when you change your clocks in the spring and fall. If you have any questions or concerns, contact your local firehouse or the Fire Prevention Unit at 215-686-1382.
In addition to smoke alarms, know what to do if there is a fire in your home or apartment. Have an escape plan, and practice that plan twice a year. Don’t be unprepared. Take responsibility for your family’s well-being.
In addition to these lifesaving fire-safety measures, the Philadelphia Fire Department has a program called the Fire Safety Representative Program. The representative would act as a go-between for the neighbors on his or her block and the fire department. This person would maintain a semi-monthly e-mail contact with the fire department. Representatives undertake such duties as making sure their neighbors have smoke alarms that work and receive information about fire safety.
If you’d like to potentially help save lives, stop by your local firehouse for information and get involved.
It’s up to us all to take responsibility. Make fire safety a priority! ••
Thomas Sroka is a fire-safety specialist with the Philadelphia Fire Department.