This Is Fire Prevention Month

fire6464-11
fire6464-11

With the weather turning colder and furnaces firing up, this is Fire Prevention Month in Michigan. State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer tells WSJM News there have been 91 fire deaths in the state this year, many because people don’t physically test their smoke detectors each month.

“Either they have no smoke alarms at all, or the batteries are not in the smoke alarms, and that’s part of pushing the button every month,” Sehlmeyer said.

Sehlmeyer says there should be a detector for every level of a home and every sleeping area. He recommends keeping the door closed while you’re sleeping, noting fires consume oxygen quickly. For that reason…

“Don’t fight the fire,” Sehlmeyer said. “Get out of the building as fast as you can and call 911.”

Sehlmeyer says there have been many fire fatalities where the person who died was also the one who called 911. He adds smoking is a big cause of home fires because some people don’t watch where they put their butts.