As Snag Island residents, given that we do not have any fire hydrants on the island, and there is only a single lane one way road on and off the island for fire fighting vehicles, we are in a more vulnerable position when it comes to household fires.
Following one of our residents losing their house due to a fire last year, the SI board invited representatives from Pierce County Fire & Safety Department to help us with precautionary guidelines and best practices to minimize the possibility of house fires. The board has prepared this bulletin for you, so that we are all taking steps to reduce the risk of house fires and implement steps to be better prepared in case of such a calamity.
HOME FIRE PREVENTION & SAFETY CHECKLIST
Many of you may already be following some of these practices. However, we encourage you to carefully review these fire safety guidelines and precautionary measures so that we can all be safe as a community.
Items you should review around your home
- Check the condition of all plug-in electrical appliances and / or devices, including extension cords to ensure they are not defective or showing signs of wear.
- Never leave any space heaters plugged-in into an electrical outlet, if you intend to be away from your home for any significant length of time.
- If gone for more than a few days, remember to unplug any electrical extension cords.
- Place household fire extinguishers at exit points and at easily accessible locations under the sinks in your kitchen and bathrooms. Regularly inspect the pressure gauge of your fire extinguishers, to ensure it will be operational in case of an emergency. Replace if needed.
- Remain aware of and check to ensure there are no recalls on your household appliances.
- If you don’t already, consider keeping your household documents in a fire pouch inside a fire-proof safe.
- The Pierce County Fire Marshal office offers a free service to conduct a home fire safety inspection of your home. They will walk around your home with you, giving you pointers for fire prevention and safety precautions. Schedule it at your convenience via the Inspection Request line using either of the following channels:
Email: pcfireprevention@piercecountywa.gov
Phone: (253) 798-7179
Precautionary home upgrades you can make
- Household smoke detectors units have a functional expiration. Suggested best practice is to replace these every ten years. Please review the smoke detectors in your home for expiration.
- These days, there are also wirelessly interconnected smoke detectors for your whole house, which sound an alarm as a single event if any smoke detector in your house is triggered. Consider upgrading to these.
- Additionally, smoke detectors can be added to your home security / home monitor system so you are notified on your mobile phone, in case of an event.
- Consider installing an early warning fire detection system. These are internet-based and call the fire department the moment smoke is detected in your home.
- The latest fire safety codes require installation of an extinguisher system above your cooking range in your kitchen. Although this may be a requirement only for new construction, consider adding a cooking range hood fire extinguisher system.
- Consider installing a sprinkler system in your house as this will allow more time for you and your family to exit the house in case of a fire emergency.
Have an emergency preparedness plan for your family
- Formalize a fire emergency plan for your family, specifically identifying a meeting spot outside your home, for all family members to gather in case of an emergency. No one should go back into the house once you are outside, when in an active fire.
- Make sure all family members know where all the fire extinguishers are located in your home.
- Make sure all family members know to immediately get out of the house in case of a fire emergency and call 911 right away.
- If you have an early warning fire detection system installed in your house, make sure all family members know how to use it.
COUNTY RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO YOU
You may be aware that Pierce County offers two early warning community resources - Pierce County Alert Warning System and Pierce County Neighborhood Network.
PC-Alert is a system (available to any citizen at no charge) that allows you to sign up and receive mobile phone notifications about emergencies that may affect the locations that concern you. You can sign up and learn more about this program at https://www.piercecountywa.gov/917/Alert-Warning
PC Network is a neighborhood preparedness program targeting communities at farther out distances from fire stations, not easily reachable within prompt response times. It trains community volunteers with the knowledge and tools necessary to work together for an effective response following emergencies and disasters.
We encourage all residents to take advantage of the free home fire safety inspection offered by the Pierce County fire department. Schedule this valuable service at your convenience to enhance your home's fire safety. Together, we can ensure the safety and preparedness of our community.
