Home Sprinklers: Your Key to Fire Safety This Holiday

As the holiday season approaches, Cottage Grove firefighters are issuing a critical warning to residents and developers about fire safety. Chief Jon Pritchard is strongly advocating for the installation of sprinkler systems in new homes, noting the increasing presence of flammable plastics in modern environments.

Pritchard explained that smoke itself is a highly flammable fuel source, carrying extreme temperatures and toxic chemicals that can be fatal. He stressed that approximately 90% of homes currently do not have sprinklers. While retrofitting can be costly, installing them in new constructions is estimated to add only about 2% to the overall building expense.

For homeowners without sprinklers, the chief provided essential safety recommendations. These include equipping every room with smoke detectors and ensuring functional fire extinguishers are accessible on each floor. He also cautioned against charging electronic devices on flammable surfaces like beds or near fabrics, advising the use of sturdy, non-combustible surfaces instead.