Letters to the Editor

The Importance of Fire Safety

'Fire does not discriminate and can strike at any time and in any type of home.'

Dear Editor: Four children tragically lost their lives in a fire in Conyers, on Tuesday, Jan. 8. Despite a quick response from first responders the home was fully engulfed in flames when emergency personnel arrived. Courageous rescue efforts were made but sadly the children aged 9, 7, 3 and eight months did not survive the terrible blaze. The children’s mother desperately tried to save her children but was burned severely and was only able to rescue her 6-year-old son. Reports show that the home did not have working smoke detectors according to fire officials. In a similarly devastating story, a man and his four children aged 5, 4, 2 and 6 months perished in a fire in Pike County, KY, on the same night. These tragedies unfortunately happen…

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Fire Risk Increases in Winter

Atlanta Fire Rescue Department offers advice on how to avoid potential hazards.

As temperatures fall, residents look for ways to keep warm. Many will bring out their space heaters or use their fireplaces. But as it gets colder, the risk of fires increase because some homeowners either don't take some precautions or make mistakes putting themselves at risk. Officials from the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department have been going to different community meetings to discuss the steps they should take, such as inspecting cords and keeping space heaters a safe distance from materials prone to catching fire. On Tuesday, AFRD's Todd Edwards, Fifth Battalion chief, spoke to members of Neighborhood Planning Unit-O to give them guidelines on what to do to reduce their fire risk. The Fifth Battalion includes Fire Station 18 in Kirkwood…

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Thinking Fire Safety This Thanksgiving

Cooking fires were the No. 1 cause of home fires and related injuries in 2011. Thanksgiving Day alone had three times the average number of reported home structure fires involving cooking equipment.

This is National Fire Prevention Week

Take Steps to Avoid the No. 1 Disaster Threat to Homeowners

House fires are the No. 1 disaster threat to homeowners. Between 350,000 and 400,000 house fires occur each year in the United States. Unlike natural disasters such as tornadoes and floods, house fires are often preventable. National Fire Prevention Week started on Oct. 7 and ends on Oct. 13 and offers an important reminder of the dangers of fire to homeowners. The average loss per fire claim in Georgia is more than $25,000. State Farm Insurance offers these fire-prevention steps to take to help keep your home and family safe: To learn more about National Fire Prevention Week, please visit the following website. To learn more about America's most common claims in the home, please visit the National Fire Protection Association. Also, check …

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