Plymouth Fire Department Talks Fire Prevention

October is National Fire Prevention Month and the Plymouth Fire Department encourages families to test all of their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and to change their batteries once a year.  

According to a fire department press release. 70 percent of all fire deaths occur between December and March, 83 percent of annual fire deaths occur in residential dwellings and 51 percent of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings happen between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

This year has been a riddled residential fires in Plymouth. Hundreds have been displaced and rebuilding continues for the August Parkside Apartment fire. The cause of that fire was officially labeled "undetermined."

Plymouth Fire Chief Rick Kline said that undetermined is a very common finding, "especially in fires with lot of collapse, devastation and mixing of contents."

"There was a lot of complexity trying to seprate things out and identify them," Kline said of the Parkside fire. " We believe it began on a balcony, but we're not sure which one or the cause of the fire."

According to Capt. Tom Evenson, children and seniors, often the most vulnerable family members, are most likely to be killed or injured in a fire.

Seniors or families that need help changing the batteries in their detectors are welcome to call the Fire Department for assistance. They are asked to purchase new batteries for their detectors and then make an appointment with the department to have firefighters visit their home to test detectors and replace batteries. This service is provided free of charge. To schedule an appointment, please call 763-509-5198.

 Plymouth Fire Department's 10 tips for fall and winter fire safety:

1. Know when and how to dial 9-1-1.
2. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly and change their batteries once a year. Never disable a detector.
3. Clean the lint trap in your dryer after ever use.
4. Never leave a burning candle unattended. Keep wicks trimmed to ¼ inch.  Never place candles near combustibles. Only use UL rated holiday decorations. Do not place combustible decorations near a heat source. Keep real Christmas trees well-watered.
5. Develop and practice a home fire escape plan that includes knowing two ways out of every room, crawling low in smoke, stop drop and rolling if clothing catches on fire. Establish a meeting place outside of the home where your family will gather in case of an emergency
6. Keep matches and lighters secured and out of the reach children.
7. Have furnace and fireplace cleaned every year. Burn only wood or UL-approved log products in a fireplace. Never burn paper because smoldering remains may waft up the chimney and set the roof on fire.
8. Discard fireplace ashes in a metal container, dampen them and cool them outside away from all combustibles before you discard them.
9. Never leave an automobile idling while it is parked in a garage.
10. Have a “no smoking” rule in your home.