October named Fire Prevention Month

Following the worst wildfire season in Alaska's history, Gov. Frank Murkowski proclaimed October as Fire Prevention Month.

Alaska fire fatalities dropped below the national average for the first time in Alaska's history, reported the Alaska Division of Fire Prevention, despite the fact that more than six million acres burned this year -- nearly a million more acres than the previous record, set in 1957.

In 2003, the United States averaged 1.3 fire deaths per 100,000 people, whereas Alaska averaged 1.1 deaths per 100,000 people, meaning that Alaskans are less likely to die from fire than other people in the United States.

Ten years ago, the number of Alaska fire deaths was three times the national average, according to the Alaska Division of Fire Prevention. Fire safety officials attribute the change to increasing public awareness of fire prevention, prevention activities sponsored by local fire departments, improved housing and increased use of fire-safety equipment such as smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.

During the month of October, fire departments across the state will be visiting schools and senior centers, as well as hosting open houses to promote fire prevention.

According to the Alaska Division of Fire Prevention, 87 percent of all fire deaths occur in the home. The top causes of such fires are careless smoking and placing combustibles too close to a heat source. Fire safety officials say simple home-safety rules can eliminate fire deaths that result from those causes.

Fires caused by careless smoking can be reduced by smoking only in a designated smoking area outside the home, with an appropriate disposal method.

Fires caused by combustibles too close to a heat source can be prevented by ensuring that all heat sources have at least three feet of empty space surrounding them.

For more information contact Jodie Hettrick, public education coordinator for the Alaska Division of Fire Prevention, at (907) 269-5052 or by e-mail, at jodie_hettrick@dps.state.ak.us.

Contact John Davidson at john.davidson@frontiersman.com.