DPH Highlights Education, Safety for Fire Prevention Week

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Oct. 9, 2024

COLUMBIA, S.C. ― To celebrate Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 6-12, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is spotlighting the importance of fire education and smoke alarm safety.  

DPH is responsible for ensuring fire safety standards at South Carolina’s licensed health care facilities such as hospitals and long-term care facilities. DPH’s Fire and Life Safety Section conducts routine fire and life safety surveys at more than 1,200 DPH-licensed facilities statewide to oversee their continued compliance with applicable standards and regulations. 

The Fire and Life Safety Section completed more than 800 inspections in 2023, conducted 26 facility fire investigations and gave fire response training classes to licensed facilities. Fire response training classes include hands-on fire extinguisher training and are available to DPH licensed facilities at no cost.  

"Enforcing code compliance and promoting education is at the forefront of what we do year-round," said Darryl McAlhany, DPH Fire and Life Safety Section director. "We're proud to use Fire Prevention Week as an opportunity to further that education and thank facilities in our state for their commitment to fire safety." 

As part of Fire Prevention Week, DPH’s Division of Fire and Life Safety held a fire safety demonstration for employees Monday, Oct. 7. Participants received hands-on training about the proper way operate a fire extinguisher and gained experience putting out a simulated fire.

The National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) theme for the 2024 Fire Prevention Week is, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you.” 

According to NFPA, smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by 54%. Meanwhile, roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.  

NFPA offers these key smoke alarm safety tips and guidelines: 

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of the home.  
• Make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities. 
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button. 
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.  

For more information on NFPA Fire Prevention Week, visit nfpa.org/fpw.  

To view an instructional video on how to put out a fire, visit the DPH YouTube channel.

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