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Message From Town Leaders

Message from Councilman Roc White | March 10, 2023

The American Red Cross says that if a fire starts in your home you may have as little as two minutes to escape. During a fire, early warning from a working smoke alarm plus a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can truly save lives.

As a home engulfed in flames can reach 1,100 degrees in just 3 ½ minutes, fire prevention must always be a top priority. And in Scotch Plains we also recognize that education is paramount.

That is why the Scotch Plains Fire Department and our parks and recreation department will be co-hosting a community event on Tuesday, March 28 at the Shady Rest Country Club, 820 Jerusalem Road. 

The free program will focus on such important topics as home fire safety, burn prevention, evacuation tips for people with disabilities, fire evacuation plans and most common fire risks.

The program is from 10:30-11 a.m., followed by the Senior Café, which takes place from 11 a.m. to noon.  While there is no cost to attend, we ask that you register by calling the recreation office at 908-322-6700, ext. 223.

In preparing this message, I was curious to learn more about fire fatalities and injuries in the United States, prompting an internet search.  According to the San Francisco Fire Department, nearly 4,000 Americans die each year in house fires, while more than 2,000 people are severely injured.

In rooms that are not even on fire, temperatures can reach more than 300 degrees - hot enough to melt plastic and kill the residents in those rooms. Adults 65 and older are more than twice as likely to die in fires. And the leading cause of fire deaths? Smoking.

The American Red Cross offers some important tips, which will also be covered at the March 28 event:

  • Make sure to install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. 
  • Test smoke alarms every month. If they’re not working, change the batteries.
  • Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.
  • If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL FOR HELP. Never go back inside for anything or anyone.

There is plenty more information available. For example, the National Fire Prevention Association holds a weeklong education program in the fall. This year, it will be Oct. 8-14. The campaign offers an important toolkit that can be accessed throughout the year, highlighting the importance of fire safety. There is everything from ready-to-use press releases and safety tips sheets to printable activities, logos, and more.

With this focus on fire safety, I urge you and your family to develop an evacuation plan for your home and to applaud the steadfast work of the Scotch Plains Fire Department at every opportunity.

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