Officials urge residents to take precautions during fire prevention week

DELAWARE – It’s National Fire Prevention Week, and officials are trying to bring awareness to simple ways that you can keep yourself and your home as safe as possible.

They said it’s important to have a direct and well-communicated escape plan in case of emergency.

It’s also important to make sure your smoke detectors are working, ideally replacing them every 10 years.

Also be aware of common household items that could be potential fire-hazards like lithium batteries: “They come in everything from cell phones to children’s toys. They also have a life ten years, and we really need to be getting rid of those. They’re a hazard that we need to be aware of in the home as well,” said Jason McCabe, Senior Training Administrator with the Delaware State Fire School.

Officials say that of the 14 fire-related deaths in Delaware this year, 9 of them happened in homes that did not have a functioning smoke detector.