Posted on: Monday, October 7, 2002

Fire Prevention Week aimed at teaching public

By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Staff Writer

Members of HFD's Fire House Band — from left, Capt. Lance Orillo, Capt. Lee Muller and Inspector Bill Beimes — perform for Fire Prevention Week at Ala Moana Center. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser . . . HFD events this week The Honolulu Fire Department will hold several promotions and demonstrations during Fire Prevention Week this week. Promotions and displays at shopping centers: • Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday • Windward Mall, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday Demonstrations at schools: • Sunset Elementary, 12:15 to 2 p.m. Tuesday • Manoa School, 8:45 to 10:45 a.m. Friday • Waikele Elementary, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Oct. 15

The Honolulu Fire Department is commemorating Fire Prevention Week by holding several public displays and events to promote fire safety.

Honolulu Fire Chief Attilio Leonardi said families should regularly inspect their smoke and fire detectors to make sure they are working properly. They should also practice home escape routes since they may have only two minutes to get out of the house.

"Taking a few moments to inspect your home and correct common fire hazards can make a real difference to your family's safety and well-being," Leonardi said.

A quick escape plan is essential since smoke can usually overcome a person faster than the flames, said HFD spokesman Capt. Richard Soo.

The National Fire Protection Agency says 85 percent of all fires occur in homes.

There has been one fire-related death this year on O'ahu. Catalina Oasay, 84, died in a Kalihi house fire in February. Last year, there were three fire-related fatalities on O'ahu.

Soo said there were 2,912 fire-related alarm calls last year. While this year's figures were unavailable, the number of fire-related calls this year are down about 3 to 4 percent when compared to the same time last year.

Soo said the leading causes of house fires are overheated appliances, electrical short-circuits, heat or open flame, sparks or embers from operating equipment, and candles.

"We had 14 structure fires last year that were started by candles," Soo said.

Fire officials had these safety tips for families:

• Install a smoke detector on every level of the home, testing the alarm every month and replacing the batteries once a year.

• Make sure everyone in the family practices at least two escape routes from every room.

• Keep a flashlight and whistle available.

• In the event a person needs to maneuver through a smoke-filled house, practice feeling your way out of the house with your eyes closed.

• Escape first, then dial 911 from a neighbor's home.

• Never open doors that are hot to the touch.

• Teach your family to stop, drop to the ground and roll should their clothing catch on fire.

• Designate a family meeting place outside, a good distance away from the home.

National Fire Prevention Week has its roots in the Great Chicago Fire of Oct. 9, 1871, which killed 250 people, destroyed 17,400 structures and left 100,000 homeless.