Henrico fire gives residents safety tips amid fire prevention month

HENRICO, Va. (WRIC) — Working smoke alarms could be the difference between life and death – that’s why the Henrico Fire Department is putting up visual reminders of how important they are in keeping you and your family safe.

Henrico Battalion Chief, Doug Reynolds, emphasized why smoke alarms are the single most important safety feature you can have in your home.

“They show that most people have 2 minutes from the time a fire starts to be able to get out safely,” he explains. “What you always want to do is hit the test button. That’ll give you the signal. That way you’ll know exactly what your smoke detector sounds like.”

At a minimum, Reynolds said each household should have one smoke alarm on each floor.

“It is recommended to have them in the bedroom, the sleeping areas and then right outside in your escape areas to be able to get out,” he said.

With October being fire prevention month in Virginia, Henrico Fire displayed trivia banners that read “Smoke Alarms Save Lives” outside all 22 firehouses. The banners were designed and printed by students in the ACE program at Hermitage High School. These banners serve as a constant reminder of fire safety throughout the month.

Chief Reynolds assured residents that help is available if they lack working smoke detectors.

“Each year, we put up hundreds of smoke detectors throughout the county, and that’s from the east end to the west,” he said. “We not only give them to you, we come out and install [them].”

Having a fire escape plan is just as crucial as having working smoke alarms.

“Initially, you just look at your house. You think there’s two or three ways out because you’re used to those doors,” he said. “But if you look at every window in your house, that’s a potential way out of your house.”

Reynolds said the number one leading cause of fire in the county is unattended stoves.

“It’s easy to get distracted with kids and you walk away, but you need to stay in the kitchen,” he said. “Have a fire extinguisher close so that the fire gets starts. You can quickly knock it down.”

He also mentioned as the dry season and colder months approach, it’s also essential to be cautious of other fire hazards, such as space heaters and candles.

“Everybody loves their aromatherapy and it’ll just get you in trouble for sure. And you know, those are the big things you just really got to be careful with,” said Reynolds.

Fire Prevention Week begins Oct. 6 and lasts till Oct. 12.

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