Fire safety tips after string of Greater Columbus fires this summer - The Columbus Dispatch

After three fires over the past two weeks in Greater Columbus caused seven deaths, including those of three children, the Columbus Division of Fire is urging residents to do everything they can to stay safe. 
Battalion Chief Jeff Geitter said there are several things people can do to prevent a house fire, and one of the most important is to make sure smoke detectors are working and are kept up to date.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, working smoke detectors cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half. Home smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every floor, including the basement. Detectors more than 10 years old probably should be replaced.
The city of Columbus offers free smoke detectors to residents and will install them. Those who are interested should call the smoke alarm hotline at 614-724-0935. This program is only open to the owner of the property and is not available to renters.
Non-Columbus residents can call 1-844-207-4509 to be connected with the American Red Cross for assistance in obtaining smoke detectors.
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Geitter said the recent string of deadly house and apartment fires is "bizarre." 
"We (the fire department) are sitting down to explore, 'Is there anything we haven't thought of that could prevent what's happening?'" he said.  
In the meantime, here are some other fire safety tips from Geitter and the National Fire Protection Association:
Geitter said parents should keep kids away from items that are flammable, such as matches, lighters and fireworks. He also said people should not store gas cans and oily rags in the house. 
It's important to watch children and pets when they are around candles, heaters and open flames to avoid accidents that turn into dangerous situations, Battalion Chief Steve Martin told The Dispatch earlier this year. 
The kitchen is where nearly half of all home fires start, and unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires, Susan McKelvey, spokesperson for the National Fire Protection Association, told The Dispatch in 2020. 
 "We’re all multitasking, and it's easy to get distracted, especially if you have young children home from school who actively need help," she said.
Frying food, in particular, deserves undivided attention, McKelvey said.
"A lot of cooking fires involve frying," she said. "If you need to leave the cooking area when frying, it’s best to turn off the heat. And if you’re baking or cooking in the oven, you should use a timer" to make sure the food isn't forgotten and burned.
During the winter, keep fixed and portable space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn. Turn off heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.
The National Fire Protection Association also recommends that fireplaces and flues be checked once a year to make sure they are operating properly. 
Geitter said families should have a home escape plan in place and practice it from time to time. He said people should have multiple exit routes in mind if the front door is blocked or is inaccessible due to fire and smoke. 
"Just be aware of what are your potential options to exit the premises if your normal way is not feasible," he said. 
And if there is a fire, stay low to the ground, Geitter said. 
"Heat and smoke rises, so if you stand up in the middle of the night, you can put yourself in a bad situation by standing right up into those hot gases, and that can incapacitate you very quickly," he said. 
The Columbus Division of Fire offers tips on creating a home escape plan, as well as information on many other home fire safety topics, at firepreventionweek.columbus.gov.
Micah Walker is the Dispatch trending reporter. Reach her at mwalker@dispatch.com or 740-251-7199. Follow her on Twitter @micah_walker701. 

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