Emmy Awards Opening Stunt Reminds Us Not to Play with Fire
As we continue to live in a COVID-19 impacted world, we see all kinds of businesses and activities pivoting to different formats. This year's Emmy Awards was no exception. The 2020 event held over the weekend featured lots of the usual elements that viewers expect from award show presenters and winners, even though some folks were on a set and most in their own homes.
During the show, a comedic bit that was surely intended to be a harmless gag went up in smoke, reinforcing the potential dangers of fire.
As Jimmy Kimmel prepared to present the award for lead actress in a comedy series, he sprayed an envelope with disinfectant before tossing it into a trashcan and lighting it on fire. Using a fire extinguisher, Jennifer Aniston attempted to put it out but struggled to effectively do so.
The event illustrated how unpredictable fire can be, along with the challenges of effectively using a fire extinguisher; Aniston had to use it multiple times before the fire was fully out.
Let's use this incident to remind folks of some basic fire safety messages:
Fire is dangerous and unpredictable; don't play with it
If you do have a fire, get out and stay out; call the fire department from the outside
Have working smoke alarms installed in all required locations throughout your home
Develop and practice a home escape plan
If you have a fire extinguisher in your home, make sure you've received the proper training to use it correctly and effectively
This tip sheet is a quick reminder of how to stay safe in case of emergencies in public gathering spaces. Fire departments respond to a fire somewhere in the United States every 24 seconds, with fires causing nearly $15 billion in property damage each year. While we all like a good laugh, fire is no joke. Fortunately, no one was hurt in this one.