Winter is associated with low temperatures, snowy days, and gloomy skies as well as a higher risk of electrical fires due to the increase use of heating units. It is essential that families are equipped with smoke detectors and properly educated on how to prevent fires in the home.
The UPMC Mercy Burn Center recently hosted local fire chiefs to distribute hundreds of smoke detectors for the chiefs to share with residents of their communities.
“Events like these are important because people often live with their families in single homes or in apartment complexes, so providing these detectors to one family can help protect a whole community,” said Jenny Ziembicki, M.D., director of the UPMC Mercy Burn Center.
Distribution of smoke detectors is an annual event made possible by The Charles E. Copeland Burn Fund. Dr. Copeland was a UPMC Mercy physician who launched the fund in 1987. The initiative supports patients and families impacted by burn injuries and educates the community on burn prevention.
From left to right: Jeff List, McKeesport deputy chief, Bill Frye, Jeanette fire chief, Jenny Ziembicki, MD, director of UPMC Mercy Burn Center, Michele Buraczewski, burn programmatic nurse specialist at UPMC Mercy, Don Brucker, Allegheny County Fire Marshal.
“McKeesport is a low-income community, and sometimes people use space heaters for hours on end due to a lack of gas and that can cause fires,” said Jeff List, McKeesport deputy fire chief, who received detectors for residents of McKeesport.
“Smoke detectors should be installed in every bedroom and on every floor,” said Don Brucker, Allegheny County Fire Marshall, who also attended the smoke detector event. “Battery life and proper installation are very important but making sure homes have them is key.”
“It’s a reminder that community safety thrives when everyone gets involved,” said Ziembicki. “Fire prevention is a shared effort, and community members are encouraged to play an active role in protecting their families, and their entire neighborhoods, she added.
For more information and resources about fire safety and burn prevention please visit UPMC.com/MercyBurnCenter.
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