Background
According to a report by the Maine State Fire Marshal's Office on fire
fatalities from 1983-1992 there were: 216 fatal fires resulting in 294
fatalities,
90.5% of fatal fires were in residential buildings, of which 80% were in
one and two family dwellings.
10.7% of fatal fires had working smoke detectors.
The number one cause of fatal fires was careless disposal of smoking
materials, followed by heating related then arson and juvenile making
second and third. Children under 14 and adults over 65 comprised 56% of
fatalities while only accounting for 37% of the population. There were
163 fatal fires in one and two family homes resulting in 224 fatalities,
or 76% of all fire fatalities in the State.
According to a report commissioned by the Town of Harpswell in 2007,
Cundy's Harbor Fire Department had a turnout time to structure fires of
11 minutes and 30 seconds after being notified. This combined with fire
flashover occurring in under 8 minutes and having to truck water up to 4
miles one-way often leaves the fire department behind the eight-ball
when they get there.
What can you do?
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Have smoke detectors in your home at least on every floor, in
bedrooms and living areas.
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If you don't already have battery operated smoke detectors in your
home, consider installing hardwired units that are interconnected
and all sound when one smells smoke. This is the law for all new
homes in Maine. Please do not install them in cooking areas.
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Test your smoke detectors monthly.
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Have a plan for your family in the event of a fire or emergency,
including 2 ways out and where to meet. Leave the house first
before calling 911.
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Have a home fire extinguisher in your kitchen.
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Don't smoke in bed. Remember that the number one cause of fatal
fires was smoking. Dispose of all smoking materials in a safe
manner.
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Shovel all of your exits promptly so that you can use them to
escape, and the firefighters can use them to rescue you.
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Identify your street
number on the front of you house with at least 4" numbers that stand
out against the background. If your driveway does not have an
accepted street name and your house numbers can't be seen from the
main road, an address sign that can be read from both directions on
the main road so that the Fire Department can find you fast.
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If you are building a new home, install a residential fire sprinkler
system. It is like having a firefighter in your home 24/7, and can
pay for itself in reduced insurance premiums (consult your insurance
professional for more information). Some new home buyers are even
having difficulty getting insurance without residential sprinklers
because of the rural geography of our community and the need to
transport firefighting water great distances.
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