Prevention, fire safety encouraged

Thursday, Oct. 7, 1999 | 10:22 a.m.

It's been 128 years since a cow kicked over a kerosene lantern and supposedly started the Great Chicago Fire.

In a 24-hour period the Oct. 9, 1871, fire killed nearly 250 people, destroyed more than 17,000 buildings leaving nearly 100,000 people homeless and blackened more than 2,000 acres.

It was one of the largest fires in U.S history. The damage came to $168 million.

Forty years later the week of Oct. 9 was set aside to educate people about fire.

To remember the week, the Las Vegas Fire Department has issued tips for preventing fire, starting with a list of the leading causes of fire in Las Vegas in the past year: combustible items left too close to a stove, furnace, fireplace or water heater; careless smoking; food left cooking on the stove unattended; arson; and children playing with lighters and matches.

Such incidents can be avoided by keeping flammable items 3 feet from heat sources, by taking caution when disposing of cigarette butts and by not smoking in bed. Watching the stove when cooking and talking to children about the dangers of playing with matches are also advised.

Last year nine people in Las Vegas died in fire-related incidents, according to fire department. In the United States a fire department responds to a fire every 15 seconds and someone is killed by fire every two hours.

The department suggests that families practice fire drills in the home and teach children the stop, drop and roll method to put out clothing that has caught fire. In the method children are taught not to run if their clothing catches fire. They should stop, drop to the ground and roll back and forth to smother the flames.

More information about fire safety can be found on the fire department's website (www.ci.las-vegas.nv.us/fire-rescue).