Fire Prevention

October is Fire Prevention Month. This is to remind everyone how important it is to check your detectors. Below are some helpful tips listed for your protection.

1. Clean your smoke alarms and replace the batteries.
2. Have your furnace serviced before the winter months.
3. Check and have chimneys and flu’s cleaned and clear.
4. Space heaters need space.
5. Practice your escape plan.
6. If you don’t have a smoke detector, contact the fire department so we can assist you in getting one.

Remember Clean, Inspect Protect

South Strabane Fire Department is a member of the National Fire Prevention Association and offers several programs throughout the year. 

Fire Prevention Week marks the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of October 8-9, 1871. The historic blaze raged for several days and killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, and destroyed more than 17,000 buildings.

Our goal is to educate our community by using simple techniques such as E.D.I.T.H. Drills, Two Ways Out, Dial 911, Get Out Stay Out, and how important smoke detectors are. 

Every year we visit local schools and put on several prevention activities in the area. The department has a Fire Safety House that we use to assist us in teaching several fire prevention techniques. 

An option such as the safety stove teaches all members of the family about kitchen safety. Also, there is an elevated bedroom to show young children how important it is to know two ways out of your house in case of a fire. With the smoke machine it allows us to recreate scenarios and make everyone think about different ways to escape from a fire if anyone should ever encounter this drastic event. 

The W.C.S.N. Fire Prevention Association is a joint ownership between four fire departments in the area. In 2001 each department shared the cost to help put this valuable tool in service in the community.   

If you are interested in scheduling or if you would have any questions on this valuable teaching tool contact Scott Reese at (724) 225-9055.       

U.S. Fire Facts

• 152 Civilian Fire Fatalities were repoprted by the PA Office of the State Fire Commissioner between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018 in the state of Pennsylvania.
• Cooking Equipment was the leading cause of ome structure fires and home fire injuries and the second leading cause of home fire deaths. Smoking materials were the leading cayse of civilian home fires over the period of 2012-2016.
• Every year in the United States about 2,560 people die in house fires. This equates to seven people, on average, dying in a house fire per day. 
• From 2012-2016, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 355,400 home structure fires annually. 
• Four of every five (80%) fire deaths and three of every four fire injuries (74%) were caused by home fires.
• December and January are the peak months for home structure fires and deaths.

U.S. Fire Facts are provide by N.F.P.A.