Safety, Prevention in Focus After Kansas Fatal Fires

March 15--In the wake of two fatal fires that claimed the lives of five children in the last three months, fire safety and prevention has become a key issue for the community to address.

On Saturday, Jackie Ann Coberly, 28, a lifetime Scott City resident, died due to injuries sustained in a fire at a two-bedroom house at 1105 Church St., along with three children who were in the home: her son, Brandon Carter, 4; Terra Renee Murphy, 8; and Cassie Linn Murphy, 6.

That fatal fire occurred only weeks after a Finney County fire on Jan. 8 that was responsible for the deaths of Nichole Savoy, 26, and her two children, Bryn Savoy, 6, and Madelyn Savoy, 22 months at their home, 4220 E. Nancy Ave., Lot 1108.

Such fatal fire activity is very unusual, according to Garden City Fire Chief Allen Shelton. With 37 years of experience, Shelton said that many fire fatalities in such a short amount of time in a rural area is a rare occurrence.

The fire chief said the No. 1 way to remain protected in a fire is to ensure you have a working smoke detector. After pricing smoke detectors from stores around the area, he said one can be bought for as little as $5. He said that having a smoke detector can increase your chances of escaping a fire by 50 percent.

"If you don't have working smoke detectors, get them," Shelton said, also adding that carbon monoxide detectors are excellent purchases for the home, as well.

Smoke detectors should be placed on every floor of the house, and in every bedroom if people sleep with their doors closed. They should be tested twice a year along with having their batteries changed. Shelton said a helpful way to remember when to change smoke detector batteries is to make a change when you change your clocks.

The next important thing to do is to make sure your family has an escape plan. Shelton said good escape plans include ways to exit every room in the home by at least two ways, along with having a planned meeting area so head counts can be easily performed. He added that you should not re-enter a residence under any circumstances once you have made an escape.

"Once you're out, stay out," Shelton said.

If for some reason you are unable to leave a room during a fire, Shelton said you should open a window and signal your position by yelling, putting a piece of cloth out the window, or calling 911 if a phone is available. To keep out smoke, place a blanket at the bottom of the doorway.

Since children can be intimidated by the appearance of a firefighter in full gear, Shelton said the department does a great deal of outreach so children can become accustomed to their appearances.

The Garden City Fire Department responds to an average of 60 to 70 structure fires a year, though Shelton says a good deal of those are not severe. The department strives for a four-minute response time in city limits, but that number can vary depending on where firefighters are located when the call is received.

With the warm weather approaching, Shelton said that the Finney County burn ban enacted April 5, 2011, still is in effect. He said children should not play with matches, and recreational fires would not be allowed due to the dry conditions in the region. With several grass fires already occurring this year, Shelton said the upcoming year was not looking good with no sight of respite from dry conditions.

"The best way to fight a fire is to prevent it from happening," Shelton said.

Another organization dedicated to child safety is Safe Kids Kansas, a coalition of more than 70 statewide and regional organizations and businesses dedicated to preventing unintentional injuries to Kansas children from infants to age 14. The group promotes childhood safety through various outreach and educational programs.

Donna Gerstner is the assistant superintendent for Garden City Recreation Commission and coordinator for Safe Kids of Finney County. Gerstner echoed the same sentiments Shelton had on smoke detectors and exit planning, stating that practice helps make an exit plan work smoothly in an emergency.

Shortly after the Jan. 8 fatal fire in Finney County, Gerstner received a $500 Rapid Response grant from national Safe Kids to use for education or smoke detector purchases. She said the community then came forward and donated an additional $1,000 to the cause on top of the grant amount.

"All of a sudden money starting rolling in," Gerstner said. "This community really came forward."

The group is planning a May 5 Safe Kids Day at the Finney County Fairgrounds parking lot, which will include events like bike safety, police presentations on stranger danger and fire safety programs.

Along with fire safety, police officials said that the warm weather is a good time to remember some general safety tips for children. Garden City Police Sgt. Michael Reagle said seat belts are one concern the department currently faces.

"Although it is widely known that child restraints and seat belts save lives, we issue too many tickets every year to drivers who fail to make sure the children in their vehicle are properly restrained," Reagle said.

Reagle added that it is important for motorists to take note of the increased activity in children walking and riding bikes to and from school. To increase safety, he also advised parents to talk to their children about taking primary routes when going from place to place, avoiding alleys and other isolated areas.

For information on fire education demonstrations, contact the Garden City Fire Department at 276-1140. To apply for a free smoke detector through the Safe Kids Rapid Response Grant, Finney County residents may call the Garden City Recreation Commission at 276-1200 or visit their location at 310 N. Sixth St.

Important fire and burn safety tips for parents:

--Keep matches, gasoline, lighters and all other flammable materials locked away, out of children's reach.

--Keep children away from cooking and heating appliances and never leave the kitchen while you are cooking. Use back burners and turn pot handles to the back of the stove when cooking.

--Never leave a burning candle unattended. Place candles in a safe location away from combustible materials and where children or pets cannot tip them over.

--Place space heaters at least three feet from curtains, papers, furniture and other flammable materials. Always turn space heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.

--Test all smoke alarms every month and change the batteries once a year, even if they are hard-wired. Smoke alarms also are available with 10-year lithium batteries.

--Consider a home sprinkler system. The combination of smoke alarms and sprinklers can reduce your chances of dying in a fire by 82 percent.

--Set your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Consider installing water faucets and shower heads containing anti-scald technology.

--If a family member has a disability, call your fire department in advance to review your evacuation plan and to discuss your own personal safety plan. Some departments have voluntary registries for people who may need extra assistance. The National Fire Protection Association has a planning guide available at http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/Forms/EvacuationGuide.pdf.

Source: Kansas Safe Kids State Director Cherie Sage

Copyright 2012 - The Garden City Telegram, Kan.