Sikeston DPS officers make the rounds during National Fire Prevention Week

Students at The Christian Academy in Sikeston raise their hands to a question posed by Sikeston Department of Public Safety Officer Drew Rodgers as Officer Sean Scott looks on during DPS’ Fire Division’s presentation about fire safety Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, at the school in recognition of National Fire Prevention Week. (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

SIKESTON — With the barometer dipping to fall-like conditions, the Sikeston Department of Public Safety is recognizing National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 6-12, and urging residents to check their furnace filters and smoke detector batteries.

“The theme this year is smoke alarms; we try to tell everybody as daylight saving time changes, check your smoke alarm batteries and make sure they work,” said Sgt. James Whitley with Sikeston DPS. “Check those at least twice a year. If you check them monthly, that’s great, but at least check them twice.”

Also vital to home fire safety is the presence of fire extinguishers.

A student at The Christian Academy in Sikeston pets K-9 Sammy, Sikeston Department of Public Safety’s arson dog, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, at the school as her handler, Sgt. James Whitley, holds on to the leash. (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

“Make sure there is one in or around your kitchen, in case of a stove fire,” said Whitley. “If it is small enough that you can put it out with a fire extinguisher, then try to put it out. If it gets large, you have the fight-or-flight situation, then we tell them to flight … to get out, stay out and call 9-1-1. Leave it to us when we get there.”

Educating area schoolchildren

This week, Whitley and various personnel from the DPS have turned to elementary education by visiting schools in Sikeston to discuss a variety of safety measures — including a visit from K-9 Sammy, who is DPS’ arson dog.

Those schools include Sikeston Head Start, Lee Hunter Elementary, Wing Elementary, St. Francis Xavier School SEMO Christian Academy, The Christian Academy, Sikeston Kindergarten Center (Thursday’s Pups in the Park Family Night (5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.) with Sammy and Southeast Elementary (Friday) to conclude the week.

One message to the area children is staying below the smoke.

“We talk about crawling below the smoke,” Whitley said. “Get low, stay low. And have a safe meeting place for the family to meet outside. That way everyone knows that every individual has safely made it out of the house. Tell whoever makes it on the scene first — a police officer, a first responder.”

Short videos will also be shown at the schools.

“Preschool through fourth grade is typically what we do,” said Whitley.

While fire prevention is recognized one week out of the year, Whitley said that preventative education is available all year.

“Our fire station is open anytime,” he said. “If someone wants to come and visit, they are more than welcome. Throughout the year, we hand out different pamphlets as people come through. We will give out coloring sheets to the kids.”

Another crucial component to fire safety is the physical address of the emergency, as numbers at night can be difficult to see.

“In the event that you do have an emergency, have the numbers large enough to where our first responders can see,” said Whitley. “This time of the year when it is starting to get cooler and people are firing up their furnaces, we hand out [information] on carbon monoxide. Make sure you have a detector in case you have a gas leak.”

Smoke alarms reduce the risk of fatality in a house fire by more than 50%, according to a news release by Missouri Department of Public Safety.

“About three of every five home-fire deaths occur in residences without working smoke alarms,” State Fire Marshal Tim Bean said in the release. “We cannot emphasize enough the importance of having working smoke alarms in your home. Many Missouri fire departments, working with the American Red Cross, can even provide and install smoke alarms for families at no cost. Families in need of assistance should contact the American Red Cross of Missouri.”

A report this year from the National Fire Protection Association showed that while in 1977 fewer than one-quarter of U.S. households had smoke alarms, it’s now estimated that more than 90% of homes have at least one smoke alarm. But it is essential that smoke alarms are regularly tested, and batteries are replaced so that they remain in working order.

— Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of the home.

— Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.

— This year, daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 3.

— Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

— Make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.