Q&A: Clovis fire officials talk safety and prevention

Editor’s note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Fay Craigmile is the deputy chief with Clovis Fire Department. Terrance Lizardo is Clovis’ fire marshal. We asked them about fire prevention.

Q: What is the most common cause of house fires?

A: According to the U.S. Fire Administration national database estimates from 2012 to 2021 the leading causes of house fires were as follows:

170,000 cooking fires; 32,200 heating fires; 29,800 other unintentional, careless fires; 24,200 electrical malfunction fires.

Q: What’s in my garage that is most likely to cause a fire or contribute to a fire spreading quickly?

A: Gas-fired appliances that may be in the same area as flammable fuels. Excess storage of flammable material inside the garage area is also a consideration.

Q: What kind of equipment should each individual have to prevent or put out fires on their property, in their homes or in their cars?

A: When it comes to home fire prevention it is always a good idea to have smoke/carbon monoxide detectors placed inside the home.

Areas that would benefit from detectors would be areas like your kitchen, bedrooms and in rooms with a fireplace.

An extinguisher placed in the home or car could help slow small fire growth and allow the occupants to escape if need be.

Q: What kind of tips can you provide about surviving if you wake up one night and realize there’s a fire in the house? How can I make good decisions, on the spur of the moment, about whether to leave, try to put out the fire, try to locate others in the home?

A: The first step is to always have a plan to escape, in the event of a house fire. The second is to practice that plan; this will create muscle memory.

The U.S. Fire Administration gives great examples of how to make the plan. They are draw a map of your home and include all doors and windows; find two ways out of every room; make sure doors and windows are not blocked; choose an outside meeting place in front of your home; practice your home fire drill with everyone in the home; push the smoke alarm to start the home fire drill; get outside to your meeting place.

The best way to make a good decision in a house fire is early detection (fire alarms) and having an escape plan and practicing it and calling 911.

Q: When do I crawl away from a fire, as opposed to running away?

A: When house fires occur the smoke and heat will be hotter toward the ceiling in the room. If the smoke and heat are still high in the room the quickest way to escape is best, but try to keep out of the smoke.

Q: For those who rent their home, are landlords required to have their properties undergo regular inspections from the fire department? Can a private homeowner ask the fire department to inspect their home for potential fire hazards?

A: The fire codes that have been adopted do not allow fire inspections on residential properties without the consent of the owner. The U.S. Fire Administration has tips and guides on how to prevent house fires.

Q: How can I make sure my home’s electrical system is not likely to cause a fire? Or make sure it is safe to use my fireplace?

A: When making sure the electrical is safe in a residence make sure that you do not overload the circuit. If you are having electrical issues, please make sure you contact a licensed professional.

One way to ensure your safety, when using your fireplace, is to make sure that you have your chimney cleaned by a professional to remove the excess carbon that may have been built up. Make sure that you have adequate ventilation when using the fireplace, like making sure the flue is open.