Discussing First State’s fire safety

I have been holding off on sending out an update due to the election season, but too many items have occurred in the recent weeks to wait any further.

In light of the elections now being over, I want to say thanks to those who have served their communities and are now moving on and to those who continue to serve. No doubt agendas continue to be full.

Unfortunately, Delaware has suffered two fire fatalities this month to bring the 12-month total to 16 for 2024. Hopefully there will not be any more as 2024 closes out. This is the second year in a row where Delaware has had double-digit fire fatalities. Residential fires investigated and reported on by the Delaware State Fire Marshal's Office for December alone have resulted in more than $700,000 in damages. By following the social media posts of fire companies throughout the state, you can learn about additional residential fires that have recently occurred that did not have any official media releases.

In addition to fire news, information has recently come out about health threats from the exposure to nitrous oxide and nitrogen dioxides. Both of these chemicals are present in the smoke from burning petrochemical products. This is not new news to the fire service, as these health threats have been documented from fire investigations of past fires (Stouffer Inn fire, 1980). What we need to keep in mind with the new information coming out is that civilians, firefighters and fire investigators are exposed to these chemicals during and after fires due to the number of petrochemical items found in today’s homes that burn. Do you have a polyester-covered, polyurethane foam couch or recliner in your home?

Also, more information has recently been released concerning PFAS being found in additional firefighting protective gear besides coats and pants. This basically means that every time your firefighters put their gear on, they are being exposed to cancer-causing PFAS.

Please also pay attention to the continuing Delaware residential development explosion. Talks have started in New Castle County about cluster neighborhoods to address affordable housing. Cluster housing also means houses are built closer together with limited access for fire apparatus to reach. 

The reasons for building with residential fire sprinkler systems keep growing. We continuously see reports of sprinkler saves, as reported by the National Fire Sprinkler Association, which translates into lives saved, property protected and environmental impact from fire, smoke, heat and water runoff significantly reduced.

We will continue our efforts in 2025 to convince municipal leaders to leave the residential fire sprinkler requirement in their adopted residential building code as well as work with all Delaware fire companies and agencies to promote the installation and maintenance of these proven life-saving systems.

And a little icing on the fire safety cake here: Please take a look at these holiday tips provided by the Delaware State Fire Marshal's Office. Following a few simple tips will help ensure your family has a happy, fire-safe holiday season.

Decorating

• Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame-resistant or flame-retardant
• Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn. Do not use real candles in decorations
• Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both. Check for proper use
• Inspect strings of lights for exposed or frayed wires, and loose bulb connections
• Do not overload extension cords. Never place cords under a rug
• Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.

Entertaining 

• Check your smoke alarms. Discuss your home fire escape plan with any overnight guests
• Keep children and pets away from lit candles
• Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet
• Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stove top. Keep children 3 feet away to prevent spills and burns
• Ask smokers to smoke outside. Remind smokers to keep their smoking materials with them so young children do not touch them
• Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers. Wet cigarette butts with water before discarding.

Picking a tree

• Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.

Placing a tree

• Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 2 inches from the base of the trunk
• Make sure the tree is at least 3 feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights
• Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit
• Add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily

Lighting a tree

• Use lights that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect
• Never use lit candles to decorate the tree
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.