Woodburn, OR — October is Fire Prevention Month in the state of Oregon.  Did you know that the top causes of home fires include cooking, home heating, and electrical issues? By understanding these risks and taking simple precautions, you can significantly reduce the chances of a fire in your home.

The Woodburn Fire District is partnering with the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office, to educate and promote fire safety through:

§  Fire Safety at Home – Cooking: To lower the risk of kitchen fires, it’s key to prevent accidents, prepare in advance, and know how to act if a fire occurs. Keep flammable items away from the stove and never leave cooking food unattended. Prepare by having the right safety tools like fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. Act by knowing the steps to follow if a fire does start, such as turning off the stove if it’s safe and using a fire extinguisher on small fires. Electrical Safety Tips: Things like bad wiring, overloaded outlets, or broken electrical equipment can cause fire. Avoid pinching cords between walls and furniture, do not run electrical cords under carpets or across doorways, avoid electrical overload, consider having an electrician install additional wall outlets where you need them, adding breakers as needed. Electrical work should be done by a qualified professional. Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms: Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are essential safety devices that everyone should have in their homes. They help alert you to dangers like fire or carbon monoxide, which is a harmful gas you can’t see or smell. It is important to test your smoke alarms every month to make sure they work. Smoke alarms should be outside each bedroom and on each level of your home. Replace smoke alarms every 10 years or according to the manufacturer. While smoke alarms warn you about fires, carbon monoxide alarms let you know when dangerous levels of carbon monoxide are present. To keep both types of alarms working well, change their batteries at least once a year or whenever they start chirping to signal low battery. For these and other Fire Safety at Home resources, visit: www.oregon.gov/osfm/education/firesafetyathome.

§  Fire Safety Away from Home – Recreational Vehicle Safety: Exploring Oregon’s breathtaking landscapes in your recreational vehicle is an incredible experience. RV’s, however, have unique fire risks, including cooking, heating, and electrical systems that require extra attention. Here are safety tips for RV travel: 1). Be sure to have smoke and carbon monoxide alarms installed and checked regularly, 2). Create a fire escape plan, 3). When using an electric heater, be sure to provide ample space and keep items such as paper, furniture, bedding, and curtains at least three feet away from it all times. 3). Purchase and use a portable space heater with a temperature control that has an automatic shut-off so that if they are tipped over or when they reach the desired temperature they will shout off, and be sure to place heaters on a solid, flat surface. College Fire Safety: Never leave cooking unattended. Know your escape plan, even when allowed, avoid using candles or anything with an open flame. Use space heaters with caution and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Maintain smoke alarms by testing the batteries monthly. For additional information about fire safety away from home visit www.oregon.gov/osfm/education/firesafetyawayfromhome.

§  Taking Charge of Fire Safety by Battery Responsibility – Buy Only Listed Products: When buying rechargeable devices, look for safety certification marks like UL, ETL, or CSA to ensure they meet safety standards. Charge Devices Safely: Use the original charger, follow the manufacturer's instructions, and charge on a hard surface. Recycle Batteries Responsibly: Never toss rechargeable batteries in the trash. Recycle them safely. To learn more about where to recycle rechargeable visit www.oregon.gov/osfm/education/fire-prevention-month.

Although October is officially Fire Prevention Month, Woodburn fire district members work hard throughout the year to attend community events, engaging and educating residents by assisting them to put fire safety first. The district will be hosting its annual Fire District Open House & Safety Fair on Saturday, October 4th from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. For more information about fire safety, or the open house event, visit www.woodburnfire.com or contact Public Information Officer, Korrin Petersen at (503) 982-2360.

Additional Fun Fact - the first proclamation of Fire Prevention Week was signed by President Calvin Coolidge in 1925, making it the longest-running public health observance in U.S. history. The week is observed annually during the week of October 9th, commemorating the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 which resulted in significant loss of life and property.