FIRE PERVENTION WEEK IS OCTOBER 8th TO 14th

How safe is your House?

GENERAL FIRE SAFETY

            (Remember A smoke detector that doesn’t work is like not having any smoke     detector at all)

     (Remember to call the fire department from outside. give name location and type fire clearly).

     (Know 2 ways out from and have a meeting place away from the house).

KITCHEN FIRE SAFETY

     (Check under the burners and hood).

     (Never pour water on It. smother it with a lid or use a fire extinguisher).

     (Never wear loose clothing draping sleeves may ignite after brushing against a burner)

BEDROOM FIRE SAFETY

     (Make sure matches and smoking materials are out before disposing of them)

(Stay low feel the door to see if hot; opening it could kill you, oxygen would be added to the fire allowing it to spread into your bedroom. If door is hot use alternate escape route).

     (Make sure windows are not painted shut and do not stick)

BASEMENT/FURNACE FIRE SAFETY

    (Keep a record and have it serviced and checked by an authorized technician).

     (Use metal containers for ashes)

WORKSHOP FIRE SAFETY

     (Use only ground heavy-duty extension cords).

     (Make sure contents are stored in original containers).

GARAGE/STORAGE FIRE SAFETY

    (Many homes are installed a certified doors between living area and attached garage)

    (Also let lawn and garden equipment cool down before storing in garage or shed)

    (Check with local authorities for proper disposal methods).

Each year residential fires kill an average 5,000 people, injure an additional 21,000 and destroy over $3.5 billion in property. That translates into over 13 deaths and 57 injuries each day! The sad truth is that most of this devastation could be avoided if each household would eliminate fire hazards. Install, as well as, maintain smoke detectors. 

Fire Rescue Decals

Your mark of greater family protection children account for over one third of the nation’s fire casualties-and no wonder. In the confusion 

of a fire, families often become separated. All too frequently the result is a child

How TOT FINDER works

The basis for the program is the TOT FINDER decal. Highly visible during the day and reflective from a light source at night, the attractive decal clearly marks the location of a child’s room. Should fire strike, the decal alerts firefighters to clear marked areas first.

Where to place the decals

Primary location for the weather-resistant decals are:

The TOT FINDER decal can also mark the rooms of invalids and other family members

A Final Word…

See your local fire department. They will be happy to offer you fire safety advice. If one life is saved, the TOT FINDER program is a great success.

FACT SHEET: WINTER DRIVING
http://www.fema.gov/pdf/hazards/wndrvfs.pdf
The leading cause of death during winter storms is transportation
accidents. Preparing your vehicle for the winter season and knowing
how to react if stranded or lost on the road are the keys to safe winter
driving.

Carbon monoxide can pose poisoning threat

staff and wire reports

As the weather gets colder and more people crank up their thermostats, fire safety officials are warning them to beware of carbon monoxide poisoning.

In the Lansing area, 15 people were treated in hospitals in two separate carbon monoxide poisoning incidents Saturday.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by burning any fuel, such as for home heating and cooking. More carbon monoxide poisonings are reported in winter, when use of furnaces and fuel-burning appliances rises.

Mild carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms resemble the flu. If left untreated, it can lead to difficulty breathing and death.

"I would advise anyone who is having flu like symptoms to get out of the house," said Lt. Mark Ford at Port Huron's Central Fire Station.

About 200 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

Fire safety experts recommend annual inspections of furnaces, stoves, fireplaces and other fuel-burning appliances. They also recommend installing a carbon monoxide detector.

Lt. Ford said Port Huron firefighters are anticipating more calls about carbon monoxide detectors going off, now that residents have begun using their furnaces.

He said the department receives the majority of those calls in cold weather. Of the seven calls city firefighters have responded to since Jan. 1, only two were for malfunctioning detectors. Firefighters use meters to detect and pinpoint the source of the gas.

Nine residents of the Villas of Woodgate in Lansing -- seven adults and two children -- were treated Saturday for carbon monoxide poisoning. Firefighters went to the apartment after several residents said they felt ill.

About an hour later in Ingham County's Delhi Township, a girl ran to a neighbor's home complaining that her family was ill. Firefighters took two adults and four children to the hospital.

A faulty furnace is suspected in both cases.

Lt. Ford said based on what he has seen, 50% to 60% of Port Huron homes have carbon monoxide detectors, including his own house.

SOURCE: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

CARBON MONOXIDE

KNOW THE DANGERS

Never burn charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle, tent or other enclosure.

Never use portable fuel-burning camping equipment inside a home, garage, vehicle or tent.

Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even if you leave the garage door open.

Never service fuel-burning appliances without proper knowledge, skills and tools. Always refer to the owner's manual when performing minor adjustments or servicing fuel-burning appliances.

Never use gas appliances such as ranges, ovens or clothes dryers for heating your home.

Never operate un vented fuel-burning appliances in any room with closed doors or windows or in any room where people are sleeping.

Do not use gasoline-powered tools and engines indoors. If use is unavoidable, ensure adequate ventilation is available and, whenever possible, place engine unit to exhaust outdoors.

HOME FIRE SAFETY TIPS