Westchester County officials are launching a new fire safety campaign aimed at helping residents prevent fires in their homes and know what to do if one breaks out.
The Department of Emergency Services announced a series of public service videos that cover some of the most common causes of residential fires, along with tips on smoke detectors and creating a family evacuation plan.
Recent fires in Westchester prompt new safety campaign
County Executive Ken Jenkins announced the campaign during a recent weekly news briefing and said the reason for the campaign is due to the volume of fire calls handled.
“On [the night of Aug. 7] alone, the 60 Control communications center at DES dispatched 17 structural fire events throughout the county,” Jenkins said in a news release. “We are focused on giving people the information they need to keep themselves and their families’ safe.”
The videos are designed to offer residents practical steps they can take to reduce the risk of a home fire and prepare their families to escape safely if one occurs.
Four videos cover key fire safety topics
The four videos, accessible via bit.ly/4i3LVjK, address different aspects of fire prevention and preparedness, from maintaining smoke detectors to knowing how to safely get out of a burning home.
The first video focuses on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, including the importance of maintaining them and replacing detectors or their batteries on a regular schedule.
The second video covers family evacuation planning while the third video focuses on bedrooms and ways residents can reduce the risk of common fires in those areas of the home.
The fourth video addresses kitchen fire safety, including steps residents can take while cooking to prevent fires and respond if one starts.
‘Simple tips can save lives’
DES Commissioner Susan Spear said the campaign is intended to give residents useful information in response to the recent deadly fires.
“There have been several recent severe and fatal fires here in Westchester,” Spear said in a news release. “The Department of Emergency Services wants to be sure residents have useful information to help prevent house fires and know what to do in case of a fire.”
The videos focus on what officials identified as some of the most prevalent types of fires and key areas of preparedness, including kitchen and bedroom fires, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and family evacuation plans.
“These simple tips can save lives,” Spear said.
Residents can turn to local fire departments
Chief Mark Iannucci of the DES Fire Division said residents can get additional fire safety information from their local fire departments as well as DES.
For questions that are not emergencies, Iannucci urged residents to use the non-emergency phone number for their local fire agency.
Residents should call 911 only when an emergency is occurring.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Westchester launches campaign to help residents prevent house fires
Reporting by Michelle Grisales, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Michelle Grisales, Rockland/Westchester Journal News | USA TODAY Network
