IEC to Support National Fire Prevention Week

The Independent Electrical Contractors Inc. (IEC), Alexandria, Va., will participate in the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) public safety week Oct. 7-13 by providing its 77 chapters with educational materials that teach children and their families simple steps to reduce the risk of home fires.

According to NFPA, cooking, heating, and electrical fires are among the leading causes of residential fires, accounting for an annual average of nearly 50% of home fires and almost one third of associated fire deaths. Focusing on a baseball theme, this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign teaches families about these common fire hazards and how to eliminate them from their homes.

The “Cover the Bases and Strike Out Fire” lesson promotes kitchen safety at first base, heating safety at second base, and electrical safety at third. Home plate serves as a reminder to kids to conduct smoke alarm testing and home fire escape planning with parents and caregivers. Parents and kids are encouraged to put the campaign’s messages into practice by completing a home fire safety inspection together. Free home fire safety checklists are available at www,firepreventionweek.org.