CADILLAC — According to Michigan Fatal Fire Statistics, 125 people died in fires last year. Fire deaths also increased by 4% between 2017 and 2022.
October is Fire Safety Month, and the most important thing you can do is plan ahead. If you don’t have a fire safety plan, it can be hard to know what to do in the middle of a fire.
We spoke with a 20-year firefighting veteran who said everyone should have fire safety training and a plan in case the worst happens.
“Make sure that they have fire extinguishers, make sure the family knows how to use it and the location of it in case anything happens,” said LT. Justin Todd, Cherry Grove Fire Department. “And it wouldn’t hurt to take a class on the extinguishers so you know which extinguisher would be best for your house. Also make sure when you leave your house, you’re doing a check to make sure things are shut off like gas.”
The top three leading causes of house fires are cooking, space heaters and faulty electrical plumbing.