FSFD delivers fire safety tips - Fort Scott
Monday, June 22, 2009 - Fort Scott Tribune
By Rayma Silvers, Tribune Staff Writer

Area residents recently had the opportunity to learn about important fire-related safety information from members of the Fort Scott Fire Department.
On June 13, several firefighters from the FSFD were on hand at Walmart, 2500 S. Main, to help educate local residents about the importance of installing smoke detectors in their homes and having fire extinguishers on hand in case of small fire emergencies. According to FSFD Capt. Robert Coffman, while the firefighters were at Walmart, they were able to answer questions residents had about smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.

"There were several people we visited with," Coffman said.

According to Coffman, it is important for residents to install at least one smoke alarm on each level of their houses. In addition, placing the smoke detectors outside of bedrooms will help alert anyone who is sleeping should a fire break out during the nighttime.

"If you are sleeping," he said, "it will wake you up and allow you to get out of the house."

After the installation of smoke detectors is completed, Coffman said it is important for residents to check and change the batteries in the detectors when needed. A good time to do this, he said, is daylight savings time when residents change the time on their clocks.

Coffman said fire extinguishers are a good tool to have in case of small fires, but should not be used when a large fire breaks out. Even though a person uses a fire extinguisher to put out a small fire, he or she still needs to notify the local fire department to make sure the fire will stay out.

"Fire extinguishers are the first line of defense," Coffman said. "Use them on small cooking fires or trash can fires, but always have an escape route to make sure you can get out of the house. Then call 911 to make sure the fire is out. They (fire extinguishers) are only good for small fires. Do not try to fight large fires with them."