TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – The Tallahassee Fire Department says they have extinguished about a dozen structure fires in March. Division Chief of Fire Prevention Anthony Espinosa says the most common cause of structure fires is cooking fires.
“We want to make sure that when we are cooking, we’re in the kitchen, not throwing something on the oven and taking off. Making sure we are present when we are cooking,” Espinosa says.
To stay prepared, it’s important that homeowners remember routine checks in their house.
“Making sure we are testing [smoke detectors] once a month, checking those batteries,” Espinosa says. “Fire extinguishers in the home, we want to make sure they are present.”
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Outside your home, yard maintenance is important to keep up with to limit what can easily catch fire.
“Make sure any clutter is free from around your home, cleaning your gutters of debris, pine straw, leaves, making sure those are all cleared out,” Espinosa says.
Espinosa adds that if you’re cooking outside, be aware of weather conditions.
Another tip is to have an escape plan in the event of a fire. Espinosa says it’s important to have your family practice an escape plan.
“Knowing which exits to use, alternate exits to use as well if one becomes blocked,” Espinosa says. “Also, a meeting point for the entire family to meet away from the affected structure.”
The Tallahassee Fire Department offers services to help. The Public Education Division is available to help and answer questions. Espinosa says TFD also has neighborhood walks where they help community members with smoke detector installation.
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