A Louisiana Fire Investigator Gives Life-Saving Tips to Prevent Deaths

Louisiana fire officials have been working to educate people about the dangers of house fires as the number of fatalities has grown in recent months. Often, investigators have found that space heaters and homes not equipped with smoke alarms were part of the problem.

With the latest severe winter weather snap, we are dealing with extremely low temperatures at night.

One of the most frightening things to most people is the thought of your sanctuary, your home, catching fire and losing everything you have, not to mention the potential that you could perish in the blaze.

What Do We Need To Know About Preventing Fires?

Even if you think you know everything there is to know about preventing a fire in your home, it never hurts to take a look at what an expert can share with you.

Lafayette Fire Investigator and Public Information Officer with the Lafayette Fire Department, Alton Trahan, says it's important to remind yourself of a few things as we can all tend to forget things we have learned over time.

Is Home Fire Prevention Only About Smoke Alarms?

Most people know that having a working smoke alarm in your home is something that can make the difference between whether you and your family live or die if a fire breaks out in your home.

You may have the physical capabilities to install and maintain a working smoke alarm, but what about your family members and neighbors?

Another critical aspect of prevention has to do with time. Do you know how much time you have to make it out of a burning home?

How Often Do House Fires Happen?

The information about how often house fires happen might shock you.

The Insurance Information Institute reports, based on statistics from the National Fire Protection Association, that there is a fire about every 24 seconds in our country. When we look specifically at house fires, they happen every 93 seconds.

Because house fires happen so often, Trahan has some reminders about fire prevention.