Greenfield Fire Department's Fire-Safety Letter to Children, Families

In an effort to prevent the recent house fire tragedies that occurred in West Allis over the last few weeks, the Greenfield Fire Department, in conjunction with other local fire departments and the Whitnall and Greenfield school districts, issued this letter to all students last week:

Each year over 3,500 people are killed in fires. On average 10 people are dying every day in fires.

• The majority of fires occur in residential structures.   
• Cooking is the leading cause of fires.
• Smoking is the leading cause of fatal fires.
• 78% of fire deaths occurred in structures that did not have a smoke alarm or it failed to operate.

With several recent fire deaths in neighboring communities; the Hales Corners, Greenfield, Franklin Fire Departments and the Whitnall School District want to ensure your family does not become a fire statistic. Therefore, each family should consider and discuss the following:

• Create and practice an exit drill for the home.
  • Know two ways out of every room.
  • Have a meeting place, where everyone meets once they leave the home.
  • Call 9-1-1 once you exit the structure.
  • Get out, stay out. Never re-enter the home once you get out.
  • Sleep with doors closed.
  • If you cannot get out of a room, close the door and get to a window.
  • Put matches and lighters in a safe place. Discuss that these are “tools” and only for adults.
  • Never leave children unattended.
  • Practice safe cooking and never leave food cooking while unattended.
  • Candles start many fires. Consider not using candles and always extinguish when unattended.
  • Have a smoke alarm on every level, outside of bedrooms and inside bedrooms. Mount smoke alarms per manufacturer instructions, check by using the “test” button and change the battery every six months. Never take them down or take out the battery. 

Make a promise to your family to stay safe. If you need more information or do not have a functioning smoke alarm, please contact 414-455-4634 and leave a message including: name, address, city and phone number. The contact information will be forwarded to the appropriate fire department for follow up.

Editor's note: A similar version of this letter was issued to Greenfield School District students/families.