Fire safety in housing

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Patrice Clarke
  • 39th Air Base Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  It's getting close to dinner and the food is almost finished. All that's left is the shrimp sautéing in the lemon and butter sauce on the stove. Only a few more minutes left ... the phone rings, it's in the other room. No worries, just go get it and come right back. It's family on the phone. Go back to the kitchen, checking on the kids in the playroom, and looking at the computer on the way. 

Five minutes later the kitchen is up in flames. No time to reach for the fire extinguisher, no time to put the lid on the pan. The fire is getting bigger ... quicker. Old habits, old rules kick in, get the kids, get the dog, get out of the house. Go next door, call the fire department and watch while possessions and memories go up in smoke. 

Though this account is fiction it could just as quickly become fact. 

According to the base fire department in fiscal year 2005 the base had nine reportable house fires and one fire in FY 2006. 

"The main causes of these fires were unattended cooking fires and electrical fires," said Ronald Swartz, Incirlik Fire Department fire chief. 

"Many times people will start cooking and get distracted and come back, see a fire and not know how to react, causing the fire to spread" said Chief Swartz.
Following simple cooking safety rules can help prevent many home fires. 

Things like: 
-- Turn off the stove while frying, grilling or broiling food if leaving the kitchen for even a 
short period of time. 

-- Clean up spilled food and grease from burners, stove tops and ovens. 

-- Only use microwaveable safe containers when heating food in the microwave. 

-- Keep a fire extinguisher updated and in easy access. 

"Though it sounds simple," said Chief Swartz. "People forget these easy rules."
Though most house fires start from unattended cooking, it isn't the only cause of house fires. 

Electrical fires are also very commonplace, especially when transformers, surge protectors and extension cords are present. 

"It's always important to know your electrical hazards. One spark is all it takes," said Ali 

Veysel Ozyesil, assistant chief of fire prevention. 

Following simple electrical safety rules can help prevent home fires. 

For example: 
-- Never overload an outlet or surge protector 

-- Never run electrical cords under carpet, through doorways, or windows. 

-- Use electrical appliances as they were intended 

-- Make sure to match the voltage on the appliance to the appropriate transformer.
Cooking and electrical fires, though common aren't the only ways that housing can go up in smoke. Candles, unattended children with matches and smoking are also common fire starters. Anything can happen so base members should practice fire prevention every day for life.