Video by Tom George/CNS-TV
ROCKVILLE, Md. – Almost 3,000 Americans die every year in fires. 2,500 of those occurred in their homes.
This week is National Fire Safety Week, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission is spending it testing out fire safety hazards at their new facility in Rockville.
The most common fires are kitchen fires, many of which are caused by unattended stoves and toasters. It’s why CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum says she came up with a new slogan for citizens to follow, “Stand by your pan,” reminding people to always keep an eye on the food they’re cooking.
Other potential fire hazards include mattresses that no longer conform to safety standards. New mattresses have fire-protective layers that burn more slowly, giving people more like to escape or put out the fire.
The Commission also recommends keeping your smoke detectors up to date, and making sure your family has a fire evacuation plan.