Marysville Fire District will be awarded a $500 stipend from the national nonprofit Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) and State Farm to increase awareness about the dangers of home fires and the life-saving benefits of home fire sprinklers. The fire district will use the funding for a community education campaign during Home Fire Sprinkler Week May 15 through 21.

Fires in modern homes can burn hotter and faster than older homes because of synthetics, lightweight construction materials and open floor plans. A house fire can become deadly in as little as two minutes; fire sprinklers save lives by giving you and your family more time to escape.

“It’s a common myth that new homes are safer from fires, but we can make them safer by adding fire sprinklers.” Fire Marshal Tom Maloney said. “As our community continues growing, our risk for fires increases. Adding fire sprinklers helps us reduce that risk while lessening the burden of being relocated from your home for months.”

Fire Sprinkler facts from the HFSC:

• Home fire sprinklers detect a fire and control it automatically. The sprinkler puts water on a fire while it’s still small. That keeps heat, flames and poison smoke from spreading.
• In a home fire, the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate when the temperature reaches about 165F.
• The sprinkler will spray water directly on the fire, controlling or putting it out. In most home fires just one sprinkler activates.

Having fire sprinklers gives you, your family and your pets time to get out safely. If you plan to build or buy a home, we urge you to ask for fire sprinklers. Find more information at www.marysvillefiredistrict.org/public-education/home-fire-sprinklers/ and the HFSC website at www.homefiresprinkler.org.