Every 22 seconds a fire department responds to a fire. Every 61 seconds a structure fire is reported.
Every 82 seconds a home structure fire is reported. Every two hours and 38 minutes a person dies as a result of a fire.
A local fire department official said safety is priority when dealing with fire.
“People don’t think about fire safety and fire hazards,” said Morehead Fire Chief Jeff Anderson. “Safety is most important. Don’t underestimate a fire. Get out and stay out.”
There are different elements that cause a fire, according to Anderson.
“In order for a fire to occur, a fuel source, oxygen, a heat source and a chemical reaction must be present,” Anderson said.
There are different classifications of fires.
“I call the first class of fire a Class A fire,” he said. “That involves wood products or paper inside or outside. If I am talking to a residential group whose fire may be outside, it would involve mulch.”
A fire caused by wood products such as limbs, paper or mulch, can be put out by using a water hose.
There are different extinguishers used to put out certain fires. The types of fire extinguishers are the ABC, D and K.
“If we were talking to a residential group, I’d recommend that they use a fire extinguisher that covers all classes of fires which would be the ABC fire extinguisher,” he said.
Type D is for metal and magnesium fires. This extinguisher has a dry powder in it and is commonly used in factories and airports. Type K is found in kitchen areas. Usually one would see this type of extinguisher near fryers and cooking areas, Anderson said.
“Fires can be prevented if folks would adhere to safety precautions such as keeping clutter out of a home, oily rags away from heat sources and trash away from a fireplace or wood burning stove,” Anderson said. “Also it is important that people keep paper products away from the stove and be careful when using oils while cooking.”
Pre-maintenance on heating sources such as electric heaters, gas heaters and chimneys is important.
“All heating sources should be inspected at least once a year,” he said.
When it comes to automobile fires, Anderson said water can be used to put out the flames. He said people need to extinguish the fire with extreme caution.
“After a certain point, it is a loss anyway,” he said. “You can replace things. You can’t replace a limb or a life. That is what you have car insurance for.”
The ABC fire extinguisher may be a safer alternative especially if there is a chemical leak or an electrical problem present that sparked the fire.
While waiting for the fire department to arrive, Anderson suggests that if the individual wanted to attempt to put out the fire they should use the type ABC fire extinguisher.
Folks need to be safe while burning trash and other types of debris outside.
“During the fall season, a person can burn trash and wood products from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.,” he said. “It is during that time that it is the safest to set a controlled fire.”
There are some restrictions on burning.
“The only thing that people are allowed to burn is yard waste such as leaves and shrubs,” he said. “Trash, tires and shingles are not to be burned at all. If it is not a wood product or debris from storm damage, it is usually not allowed to be burned.”
Flammable containers are to be filled with kitty litter. The kitty litter will absorb and dissipate any liquid left in the container. If one has a full container of flammable liquid he/she must contact a hazardous material company and pay to have the company dispose of it.
For more information about fire safety, log onto www.nfpa.org.
Local News
Safety a priority when dealing with fire
- Local News
-
-
Eight candidates set to run for City Council
Eight candidates have filed to run for six seats on the Morehead City Council in the November general election.
-
Rarely-used legal motion denied in court
It’s not often that the Rowan Circuit Court must consider a writ of habeas corpus, that constitutional safeguard which protects a prisoner from unlawful detention.
-
MUPB audit shows 5.8 percent increase in revenue
The Morehead Utility Plant Board received a clean audit report last Tuesday during the regular meeting of the board of directors.
-
Morehead woman pleads guilty to incest, sodomy
A Morehead woman pleaded guilty Wednesday in Rowan Circuit Court to five crimes involving the sexual abuse of her young son. Brittany Henson, 22, pleaded guilty to incest, sodomy first degree, promoting a sexual performance by a minor, and possession and distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor.
-
KSP, corrections stage exercise in Clearfield
Residents of KY 519 and McBrayer Road in Clearfield were surprised Thursday morning to find groups of state corrections officers and state police troopers walking through their neighborhoods.
-
Stacy: UPIKE proposal would threaten Rowan economy
There was a decidedly different tone Thursday at the normally-jovial monthly luncheon meeting of the Morehead-Rowan Chamber of Commerce. “If I sound agitated, that’s because I am,” Rep. John Will Stacy said to a roomful of business and civic leaders.
-
Blevins won’t challenge Stivers in new district
After more than 30 years in the Kentucky General Assembly, Sen. Walter Blevins, D-Morehead, knows a politician has to be flexible. The veteran lawmaker did not file this week to run for reelection in the newly-aligned 25th District.
-
Two Rowan schools win Get Fit challenge
Students at Clearfield and McBrayer elementary schools hopped, skipped and jumped their way to a live dance party hosted by Radio Disney. They were among eight Kentucky schools with the highest participation in the Get Active, Get Fit School Challenge.
-
Alleged cyber sexual predator arrested
An alleged online sexual predator was arrested in Morehead yesterday at 1:10 a.m. after he arranged a meeting with what he thought was a 12 year-old female.
-
29 indicted by grand jury
Eight people were charged with engaging in a criminal syndicate among the 29 indicted by a Rowan County grand jury Jan. 20.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Eight candidates set to run for City Council
