Fox Valley Habitat program teaches fire safety

Submitted by Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley

With September being National Preparedness Month, Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley partnered with the Carpentersville Fire Department to educate homeowners on fire and disaster preparedness.

By conducting educational programs for the community, the fire department is able to teach people of all ages to be safe in and around their homes and what to do if an emergency arises.

“Habitat for Humanity wants to ensure families are prepared for a fire or disaster,” said Barbara Beckman, executive director. “We are very grateful to the volunteers who organized the event and to the Carpentersville Fire Department for running the class.”

The capacity-filled class, taught by Carpentersville Firefighter Tony Ferreiro, was extremely informative and encouraged families to take a few simple precautions to avoid tragedies, most importantly having working smoke alarms on every level of their homes. Also when preparing for the possibility of a fire in your home, it is essential to establish and practice an emergency escape plan to get everyone out of the house safely.

In less than 30 seconds, a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for a house to fill with thick black smoke and become engulfed in flames. By preparing for a fire emergency, families can greatly reduce their chances of becoming a fire casualty.

“We want to thank Habitat for partnering with us in order to make this class a success. Public education on fire safety needs to reach each and every citizen and it does make a difference on loss of life and property in whatever community you live,” said Carpentersville Fire Chief John Schuldt.

Through a generous donation, Habitat for Humanity was able to provide free fire extinguishers to every family who attended the class.