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Fire Safety
In the United States, someone dies in a home fire every 3 hours, and someone is injured every half-hour. Many of these deaths and injuries could be prevented - if more people knew what to do.
The Officers and Firefighters of Marshalltown Fire Department (MFD) are very serious about our commitment to the safety of our residents. Being safe means more than having us ready to rescue someone from a house on fire. It's also knowing what you can make right around the house to prevent fires, or what to do if a fire does occur. Education is the best place to begin for both adults and children.
Education for Children
For children, MFD provides many possibilities for this education. Each year, school children and cub scout groups from across Marshall County come visit us for station tours. They get to see our equipment up close and personal, and learn that under all that protective gear is still the same person who just took them on their tour.
During fire prevention week we travel to the elementary schools within Marshalltown and give our "Learn Not to Burn" presentation. We're reinforcing fire safety topics taught by their teachers, and ask students to demonstrate: how to Stop, Drop, and Roll when their clothes catch fire; know two ways out; and how to call 911. If you are a den mother, or school teacher and want to schedule a station tour, feel free to contact our Department at 641-754-5751 to schedule one. Parents, be sure to check out the link below for games and activities for your youngsters of all ages.
Education for Adults
For adults, members of MFD are willing to talk with civic groups or residential associations about many various topics relating to fire prevention and safety. One of the best ways for adults to be prepared for fire, is making sure they have smoke detectors that work in their home. If you don't, be sure to check out our smoke detector page to see if qualify for a free one. You can also visit the following links for information from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), or from the United States Fire Administration (USFA) on how to keep yourself, your family, or you home and business fire safe.
Important Reminder
All U.S homes should have working smoke alarms. In the event of a fire, escape first - then call for help.
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Smoke Alarms
Read through some smoke alarm facts.
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Bedroom Fire Safety
Bedrooms are a common area of fire origin. Nearly 600 lives are lost to fires that start in bedrooms each year.
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Cooking Fire Safety
Whether stirring up a quick dinner or creating a masterpiece four-course meal, here is a recipe for safer cooking you need to use daily.
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Electrical Fire Safety
Electrical fires in our homes claim the lives of 485 Americans each year and injure 2,305 more.
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Fire Safety for the Disabled
Decreased mobility, health, sight, and hearing may limit a person's ability to take the quick action necessary to escape during a fire emergency.
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Fire Safety for the Elderly
The facts speak for themselves: Americans over the age of 65 are one of the groups at greatest risk of dying in a fire.
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Hotel / Motel Fire Safety
When traveling, it is important to become familiar with your surroundings.
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Smoking Fire Safety
Cigarettes are the number one cause of fatal home fires in the United States, averaging 900 deaths per year over the past ten years.
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Summer Fire Safety
Summertime brings fires and injuries due to fireworks and outdoor grills.
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Winter & Heating Fire Safety
The use of wood burning stoves is growing and space heaters are selling rapidly, or coming out of storage. Fireplaces are burning wood and man made logs. All these methods of heating may be acceptable. They are however, a major contributing factor in residential fires.