October 9-15 was National Fire Prevention Week when families are encouraged to think about the fire safety issues present in their own homes and take steps to help protect themselves from the damage and injuries a house fire can cause. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimate that over 386,000 accidental house fires occur every year, causing approximately 2,400 deaths and 12,500 injuries.
In order to help protect your family against fire, consider the following safety steps:
- Install smoke alarms. Keeping a working smoke alarm in each bedroom and on every floor of your house can cut your risk of dying in a house fire by almost half, according to the CPSC. Test smoke alarms regularly and replace batteries when needed.
- Develop a family escape plan. Children and adults can both benefit from knowing where to go in a fire and how to get there. Develop and practice a plan that helps family members find safe ways to get out of the house, and designate a meet-up point so the family can make sure everyone got out safely.
- Check fireplaces and electrical systems, two common sources of house fires. Also, regularly clean the dryer’s lint trap, since accumulated lint can catch fire easily. Never leave space heaters or candles unattended.
Staying aware of the common sources of house fires can help you prevent damage before it happens. However, if you or someone you love has been injured by a fire caused by a defective product, the experienced Chattanooga product liability attorneys at Massey & Associates, P.C. can help. For a free and confidential consultation, call us today at (423) 396-0720.
Gary Massey, Jr., is a well-known courtroom advocate practicing law in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Gary is a native of Tennessee who began practicing law in 1998. He graduated from Cumberland School of Law where he was ranked in the top 3% of his class and was an editor of the Cumberland Law Review.
