By CHARLENE LOVETT
By Charlene Lovett
Earlier this month, the City of Claremont recognized Fire Prevention Week and the importance of instituting fire prevention measures to protect lives and property.
While we may hope to never experience a fire in our homes, the reality is that some of us will. I know I have, twice. So, it is in our best interest to ensure that we have taken the proper steps to protect ourselves and our property in the event of a fire.
The National Fire Protection Association has identified an increase in one- and two-family, owner occupied structures, and this trend holds true in Claremont. For some time, the city’s fire department has conducted inspections of multi-family and commercial properties, reducing fires in such structures to zero in recent years.
Because the fire department does not inspect one- or two-family, owner occupied structures, there is a greater need for homeowners to take a more proactive role in fire prevention measures. Without such action, the risk of fire and the amount of damage it causes is far greater.
Since January 2018, 11 of the 13 multi-alarm fires in Claremont occurred in one- or two-family, owner occupied structures. Nine of those structures either had improperly working smoke alarms or did not have them at all.
Smoke alarms are a critical tool in early fire detection, and reducing fires in one- and two-family, owner occupied homes is a priority for the Claremont Fire Department. Consequently, the fire department has partnered with several organizations in the past year to implement smoke alarm programs.
In one program, the fire department partnered with the state fire marshal, installing wireless smoke alarms in 36 homes. Most recently, the fire department partnered with the Red Cross and New Hampshire Electric Cooperative to further these efforts. In light of these programs being so well received by and in the community, the fire department expects to implement additional smoke alarm programs in the coming year.
Installing smoke alarms in a home is one fire prevention measure. There are many other steps that can be taken, such as purchasing fire extinguishers or developing and practicing fire escape plans. Enacting such measures before a fire occurs could make all of the difference.
Charlene Lovett is the Mayor of Claremont and welcomes your feedback. Please email questions, comments or concerns to her at [email protected].
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