As of May 5, more than 61 percent of residential fire fatalities in Michigan have involved individuals over the age of 40. In response to this concerning statistic, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and the Bureau of Fire Services (BFS) are urging residents to take proactive measures, particularly with Mother’s Day approaching.
"This Mother’s Day, as you visit family, be sure to check that their smoke alarms are working properly," stated BFS Deputy Director Joe Forro. "If visiting your mother on Mother’s Day is not possible, please consider visiting anyone you care about – your dad, grandparents, or elderly neighbors – and check their smoke alarms."
Research from Underwriters Laboratory (UL) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) indicates that during a residential fire, occupants have less than two minutes to escape before toxic smoke and gases become life-threatening.
"We want to make sure that you and your family are equipped be safe and escape a house fire," said LARA Director Marlon I. Brown. "Taking this action on Mother’s Day is a great start to spring and helps us be life safety heroes to our families."
MI Prevention, an initiative coordinated by the State Fire Marshal's office, is challenging Michiganders with four tasks for Mother's Day:
1. Visit mothers and elderly loved ones if possible.
2. While visiting, ensure they have functioning smoke alarms in each bedroom and at every level of the house as well as carbon monoxide detectors outside sleeping areas and in mechanical rooms.
3. Develop an escape plan considering their abilities; practice it using a timer to assess evacuation time.
4. Understand smoking risks when using oxygen; explore safer smoking alternatives.
MI Prevention manages a statewide campaign involving over 800 partnering fire departments offering free in-home smoke alarm installations and home safety education for homeowners. Residents can contact local fire departments for a fire safety home visit.
Additional information on fire safety is available on the MI Prevention Facebook page or through MI Prevention's website.
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