Make Fire Safety a Priority this Mother's Day > City of Kannapolis | City of Kannapolis

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What are you doing for the mothers in your life this Mother’s Day? Making their safety a priority this year will not only wow them but will also provide comfort and peace of mind.

Home fires are more common than you may suspect. On average, there are 358,500 home fires in the U.S. every year resulting in 2,620 deaths and $6.9 million dollars in property damage. (Source: NFPA)

This Mother’s Day, instead of fancy gifts and flashy cards, focus on their home safety. Begin by checking their smoke alarms to make sure the alarms are in good, working condition and that they have fresh batteries. Check the manufacturer dates on the alarms. Are any over 10 years old? If so, replace those units even if they seem to be working. Kannapolis Fire recommends that you have working smoke alarms on every level of the home, in each bedroom or sleeping area, and in common areas.

Do the moms in your life have escape plans and outside meeting places? If so, review their plans and practice with them. Do they know two ways out of a room such as a door or a window? How quickly can they get to their meeting place? Can they get out in three minutes?

Talk with them about different scenarios, such as how they could escape through a door or possibly a window and going to their designated meeting places where they can wait for firefighters. Time the drills to see if they can get there in two to three minutes.

With smoke alarms and escape planning taken care of, take a moment to clean some kitchen and laundry appliances. Dirty stoves, ovens, microwaves, and dryers all carry an increased risk of fire. For ovens and microwaves, check for charred food and grease that can ignite. Similarly, check for grease on the stove top or for any ignitable items such as paper towels and drying rags that are too close to heat sources.

Finally, take some time to clean out the dryer. A lint brush is great for cleaning dyer vents and ducts where lent can build up. Not only will you be removing a potential hazard, but you will also prolong the life of the dryer.
Mother’s Day is a wonderful time to appreciate all the women in our lives. Let’s go the extra mile and focus on their fire safety this Sunday.

If you have questions or need smoke alarms contact the Kannapolis Fire Department at 704.920.4260.