Wellman

A fire can happen when you are not expecting one, which is why Wellman fire chief Jeremy Peck urges families to make a plan before they need it. Peck has been with the department for 28 years and has served as fire chief for almost 20 years.

Peck said preparation includes talking about what causes fires, how to prevent them and what to do if one starts.

“Just the lack of preparation is the major issue. Not discussing what causes fires, the wind involved with fires, how to handle a grease fire. It’s just a lack of preparation, not being ready for it.”

He also urged families to make an escape plan and choose a place to meet outside.

“Don’t play with matches and have a plan. If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop and roll. Choose a meeting place outside and make sure your smoke detectors are working. If there’s a fire in your home, get out immediately, call 911 and don’t try to put it out yourself.”

If a fire does start, Peck said people should get out first. Pets should only be taken along if doing so will not put anyone in danger.

“It’s important to get out first and foremost. If the smoke is thick, get the humans out first. If you can get the animals out without harming yourself, then grab them and get out.”

Peck also stressed the importance of working smoke detectors. He recommended changing replaceable batteries every six months, often when the clocks change.

“Make sure that they have changed batteries in the smoke detectors every six months. They usually do it when the clock goes ahead and when the clock goes back.”

After 28 years with the department, Peck said the fires he remembers most are fatal fires in homes without smoke detectors.

“I think a fatality fire in a residence that does not have smoke detectors is the most memorable. You have to have fire detectors if you’re sleeping in a residence. For me, those types of fires are just senseless.”

A family’s escape plan should account for every room, including upstairs bedrooms, Peck said.

“If they’re upstairs, they need to have a plan. Do they have a ladder somewhere stored next to the window, a rope ladder type of deal where they can throw it out, hook it, climb down and be safe?”

He said families should also know how they will check whether they can leave through a door and where they will meet once outside.

“If there is a fire, get on your hands and knees and crawl. Go over to the door, touch the door, see if it’s hot or not. Once they get out, have a meeting place outside that everybody can go to, to know that everybody made it out.”

As colder weather approaches, Peck advised homeowners to have chimneys cleaned before using their fireplaces and to replace furnace filters.

“If they’re using fireplaces, they need to have their chimneys cleaned before starting a fire so the smoke can get out and they don’t start a chimney fire. They should also replace their furnace filters after the summer.”

For Peck, the message comes back to being ready before a fire happens. Have a plan, make sure smoke detectors are working and know how everyone will get out.