Marlboro Students Learn Two Ways Out During Fire Prevention Week

In the United States, there is at least one fire every 86 seconds, according to the National Fire Prevention Association.

So the Marlboro Township Fire Prevention Bureau takes steps to educate even the smallest residents through school assemblies.

Throughout October, John Borden Fire Inspector/Fire Sub-Code Official, is visiting schools around the township to teach classic fire prevention tips such as stop, drop and roll and knowing two ways out of the home.

Students in the audience at Dugan Elementary were familiar with school fire drills, but not many raised their hands when asked about fire drills in their homes.

Borden stressed the importance of fire drills in the home for students. Families should have outdoor meeting places in case of an emergency, and a written fire exit strategy that is practiced just as fire drills are run in schools.

"You can't hide from fire," Borden said to students. "You can't hide under the covers or under your bed."

Borden said candle fire statistics are rising to about 35 per day around the country, and account for 4 percent of fire deaths.

"Everyone loves those scented candles now," Borden said. "But if you go out, blow it out."

Fire Prevention Week began in 1920 when President Woodrow Wilson sought to commemorate and prevent incidents such as The Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

In 2010, the NFPA recorded 2,540 deaths due to fire, which comes out to almost seven deaths per day.

The NFPA recently updated its website for kids, at Sparky.org, which has worksheets and interactive activities to teach children about fire safety.