By Stephanie Dunn Ashley
Home fires can happen to anyone, and for many of us they remain one of the biggest worries that we have about the safety of ourselves and our families. I have seen the devastating and traumatic impacts of home fires firsthand as an active volunteer firefighter with the Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol, and I have seen the aftermath of home fires in my role as CEO of the American Red Cross Metro New York North Chapter.
Although home fires may seem difficult to plan for, there are steps that every family can take to help prevent a fire before it starts or to stop a fire before it grows out of control.
Having working smoke detectors is so important, and making sure your family knows what to do if they hear them go off, is just as important. Too many times people remove batteries or take them down, but in the time of an emergency, those extra few minutes could mean the world of difference. I make sure my own family is aware of our plan if there was ever to be a fire, and I am so thankful that at the Red Cross we teach fire safety to children at our annual June Safety Town program.
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires nationwide. Make sure you do not leave food unattended while frying, grilling, or broiling. If you’re simmering, baking, or roasting food, be sure to check it regularly. Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.
Throughout the country, we have also seen a concerning increase in the frequency of electrical fires related to rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. If you enjoy using e-scooters or e-bikes, or even an electric car, make sure that you are using the correct charging equipment for the device — and be sure this equipment is certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). If the charging equipment or the battery is obviously damaged, stop using it immediately. Some of the signs of a faulty battery are the presence of an odor, a change in color, too much heat, change in shape, leaking, or odd noises.
Your home should have smoke alarms on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms. It may seem counterintuitive, but smoke alarms are best installed adjacent to the kitchen (as opposed to in the kitchen itself, where normal cooking activity can trigger the alarm without a fire present). You should test your smoke alarm once per month to make sure it is working properly and that you and your family recognize the alarm sounds.
Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in your kitchen. You should know that there are five different classes of fire extinguisher, each designed to be used for a different type of fire. For most residences, you will want Class A (ordinary materials like cloth, wood, and paper), Class B (combustible and flammable liquids like grease, gasoline, oil and oil-based paints), and Class C (electrical equipment like appliances, tools, or other equipment that is plugged into an outlet). You should be able to find a multipurpose fire extinguisher at your local home improvement store, but make sure you look for the “UL Listed” or “ULC Listed” label to verify that it has been NRTL certified.
I love serving our community, whether with the Red Cross or as a volunteer firefighter, and it breaks my heart each and every time I see somebody’s life disrupted by a home fire. People and pets get hurt, family heirlooms are lost forever, and homes are damaged or destroyed. A little bit of preparation, along with paying attention to the fire risks in your home, can go a long way towards keeping you and your loved ones safe.
Stephanie has worked and volunteered in the nonprofit sector in Greenwich for over twenty years. Her current role as CEO of the MNYN chapter of the American Red Cross began in March 2020. Stephanie overseas Westchester and Rockland Counties in New York, the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, and Greenwich, Connecticut for all lines of service of the Red Cross. From 2007-2020 Stephanie was Director of Fundraising Special Events for Greenwich Hospital where she was the leader of the fundraising team that planned and executed over fifty galas, major fundraisers, cultivation events, and community events resulting in needed funds for the hospital. Previously, Stephanie worked at Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich, where she headed up alumnae advancement within the development office. Stephanie is also a volunteer EMT with Greenwich EMS and President of the Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol.
