Safety Tips and Cooling Programs help Residents Enjoy a Healthier and Safer Summer:

As the thermometer rises this summer, so does the risk of suffering from a heat related illness.  While anyone can suffer from a heat related illness, extreme heat is particularly dangerous to young children, the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease.  But according to Columbus Public Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long and Franklin County Board of Health Commissioner Susan Tilgner, a few heat safety tips can protect and help everyone maintain good health, as the heat index rises.

In extreme heat and humidity, the health commissioners offer the following tips to stay cool and safe:

• Drink plenty of water – do not wait until you are thirsty.
• Stay inside in air conditioning whenever possible.  If you do not have an air conditioner, use movie theatres, malls, libraries and other public places that are cool.
• Avoid beverages with alcohol, caffeine and sugar because they will dehydrate you.
• Eat light meals.
• Wear lightweight, light colored clothing and a hat.
• Stay in the shade.
• Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.

Heat related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke can strike at any time.  Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat, headache, absence of perspiration and dry, hot flushed skin.  Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.

In addition to these safety tips, Long and Tilgner also note that cooling assistance programs are available to qualifying people from several community organizations:

For more information on summer cooling programs or heat safety, visit the Columbus Public Health Web site at  www.publichealth.columbus.gov or the Franklin County Board of Health site at www.franklincountyohio.gov/health.

Article credits: Courtesy of Press Release by the Columbus Public Health & Franklin County Board of Health. For more information, please contact: Jose Rodriguez at (614) 645-6928 jrrodriguez@columbus.gov or contact Mitzi Kline at (614) 462-3028 mrkline@franklincountyohio.gov.

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making and fire and life safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. Live Safe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. Live Safe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

July 9, 2010 – An estimated 500,000 pets are affected annually by home fires, and a new data analysis by the National Fire Protection Association shows that nearly 1,000 house fires each year are accidentally started by the homeowners’ pets. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is joining ADT Security Services and the American Kennel Club® (AKC) for the third annual National Pet Fire Safety Day on July 15 to spread awareness about how to prevent pets from starting home fires and keep pets safe in the event of an emergency. 

“Not many pet owners realize that their pet can actually be the cause of a devastating fire,” said AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson. “Simple preventative measures, such as flameless candles and removing stove knobs when leaving the house, can mean the difference between life and death for your four-legged friends.”

Chris and Kay Wardlow of Oklahoma know that all too well. Their curious dog Lucy was home alone and spied a cake on the stove top. As Lucy tried to get a taste, her paw accidentally hit the stove knob and turned on the gas burner that was under the cake pan. Within minutes, the house was filled with smoke, triggering the Wardlow’s ADT monitored smoke detector. Firefighters were called to the scene and Lucy was rescued. 

“Planning for unexpected emergencies like home fires and taking these precautions are an integral part of responsible dog ownership,” Peterson said. 

Fire departments across the country are encouraged to utilize Pet Fire Safety Day on July 15 to spread pet fire safety messages in your community. The following tips can be used to help educate pet owners on how to prevent their beloved pet from starting a fire, as well as how to keep their pets safe.

Prevent your pet from starting fires

* Extinguish open flames – Pets are generally curious and will investigate cooking appliances, candles, or even a fire in your fireplace. Ensure your pet is not left unattended around an open flame and make sure to thoroughly extinguish any open flame before leaving your home.

* Remove stove knobs – Be sure to remove stove knobs or protect them with covers before leaving the house – a stove or cook top is the number one piece of equipment involved in your pet starting a fire.

* Invest in flameless candles – These candles contain a light bulb rather than an open flame, and take the danger out of your pet knocking over a candle. Cats are notorious for starting fires when their tails turn over lit candles.

* Beware of water bowls on wooden decks – Do not leave a glass water bowl for your pet outside on a wooden deck. The sun’s rays when filtered through the glass and water can actually heat up and ignite the wooden deck beneath it. Choose stainless steel or ceramic bowls instead.

* Pet proof the home – Take a walk around your home and look for areas where pets might start fires inadvertently, such as loose wires and other potential hazards. 

Keep your pets safe

* Keep pets near entrances when away from home – When leaving pets home alone, keep them in areas or rooms near entrances where firefighters can easily find them. 

* Secure young pets – Especially with young puppies, keep them confined away from potential fire-starting hazards when you are away from home, such as in crates or behind baby gates in secure areas.

* Practice escape routes with pets – Keep collars and leashes at the ready in case you have to evacuate quickly with your pet or firefighters need to rescue your pet.

* Consider using monitored smoke detection services – As an added layer of protection beyond battery-operated smoke alarms, smoke detectors connected to a monitoring center help save pets who can’t escape when left home alone.

* Affix a pet alert window cling – Write down the number of pets inside your house and attach the static cling to a front window. This critical information saves rescuers time when locating your pets. Make sure to keep the number of pets listed on them updated.

The NVFC has a listing of fire departments across the nation where pet owners can obtain a free pet alert window cling as part of National Pet Fire Safety Day. Visit www.nvfc.org/windowclings to find a location near you. The clings are also free online at www.adt.com/pets and will be available this September at your local AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day. This year’s flagship event will be held in Raleigh on September 24. Visit http://www.akc.org/clubs/rdod/ for more information on an event near you.

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) represents the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides invaluable tools, resources, programs, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. Learn more at www.nvfc.org.

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making fire safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. Live Safe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. Live Safe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

Any homeowner who can’t answer ‘yes’ to the above question definitely needs to go over basic home fire safety as well as stock the house with some essentials such as a fire extinguisher. An ABC Type Fire Extinguisher is something you should ideally have on every floor of your home. One should certainly be easily accessible in the kitchen, and it’s a good idea to have one near the grill and fireplace too. This type of extinguisher has a strap bracket and a gauge for easy pressure checking. Having a few of these in your home doesn’t hurt anything, and you will be prepared to stop a small fire before it spreads and destroys your belongings or harms a loved one.

Remember, your kitchen stove can be dangerous. It’s a source of an open flame that can lead to kitchen fires. But before that even happens, you can always prevent them by being extra cautious. You don’t want to lose your home just because you left the water boiling.

As shown on the Today Show, Meredeth Viera and Janice Lieberman learn how to use a fire extinguisher with BullEx training systems. Janice Lieberman, of Reader’s Digest and BullEx CEO Ryan O’Donnell show you how to properly squelch out-of-control stove-top and oven flames.  In this segment Janice Lieberman visits America’s Test Kitchen to learn how to prevent cooking fires and learns how to use a fire extinguisher with Greenwich, CT Fire Department.  Janice even gets some live-fire experience with a BullEx Intelligent Training System.  Back in the studio, BullEx CEO Ryan O’Donnell showed Meredith Vieira and Janice how to handle stove-top, oven and trash-can fires with BullEx SmartProps.

Click the image below to view the full segment.

Here are some additional tips on how to prevent kitchen fires.

• Always keep a charged fire extinguisher handy. And know how to operate it. Better get an all-purpose one (the one marked “ABC”).
• Don’t leave something cooking unattended.
• When cooking, turn pot handles inward. You (or your child) may knock them down accidentally.
• Clean your stove top from grease. They can ignite. If you happen to experience one, reach for your fire extinguisher.
• Roll your sleeves up when cooking.
• Keep all flammable things away from open flame. These include wooden spice racks and potholders.
• If a pan on the stove catches fire, slide a lid over it to “smother” the flame.
• If a fire breaks from other appliances like microwave ovens or broilers, cut off the heat source.

Click here for more information on BullEx’s full line of fire prevention SmartProps, including the SmartStove and TrashCan SmartProp. For more information on our Fire Safety Trailers and to find out how these SmartProps integrate into an entire fire safety scenario, click here.

Source: Information in this article provided by The Today Show at www.msnbc.com and BullEx Digital Safety at www.bullexsafety.com

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making fire safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. Live Safe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. Live Safe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

1. Jewelry: Although they may endure superficial damage when they’re engulfed by flames, most items of jewelry maintain their compositions amid high heat. Diamonds, which are formed below earth’s surface under intense heat and pressure, melt at about 6,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Gold melts at a much cooler temperature – about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit – but that’s enough to survive most house fires. Platinum jewelry is the priciest, so it’s a good thing that the metal’s melting point is just higher than 3,200 degrees Fahrenheit. Sapphire and Ruby also possess extremely high melting points.
2. Silver Coins: Coin collectors who own myriads of silver coins – like the quarter prior to 1965 – might find them to be their most durable possessions. The melting point of silver is just below 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. So that valuable 1804 Silver Dollar from Queller’s Collection just might live to see an additional 200 years.
3. Filing Cabinets: Steel filing cabinets are built to last so that businesses won’t have to deal with the loss of important files after building fires. Many people keep personal documents in filing cabinets, which are often kept in home offices. Their steel composition and usual placement within a home – often away from the kitchen or fireplace – give them a high survival rate.
4. Tools: Do-it-yourselfers might not have to repurchase the tools they’ll need to rebuild their homes after a fire. Steel tools are extremely durable – the melting point of carbon steel is between 2,600 and 2,800 degrees Fahrenheit, and the melting point of stainless steel is roughly 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Silverware: Most forks, knives and spoons are composed of stainless steel. So even if the fire started in the kitchen, it’s possible that not every item in the room perished. Their small size and placement also allows them to take the heat.
6. Cookware: Cookware is built to endure extremely high temperatures. Most pots and pans are made of steel and iron; the latter of which melts at just below 2,800 degrees Fahrenheit. Like silverware, their placement within confined spaces helps them survive the not-so-severe fires.
7. Barbecue Grill: Go figure that an item made for fireside cooking could outlast a fire. Most grills are composed of steel or iron, which allows them to last for decades. Of course, most are kept in the backyard – away from the worst of the inferno. But they still may have to endure falling debris.
8. Some Appliances: When sifting through the ruins after a house fire, it’s common to find an appliance or two that remains intact amid the chaos that surrounds it. Many appliances these days are made of stainless steel, which gives them a sleek design and durability.
9. Stone Table: The oldest rocks on this plant have survived billions of years of wear and tear, so it’s no surprise that a stone table could outlast a simple house fire. It took thousands of degrees of heat to make the rocks, and it’ll take thousand of degrees of heat to melt them.
10. Firesafe: The steel composition of a firesafe allows it endure 1,700 degree infernos. Imagine if the entire house was made from the same material as a firesafe? House fire problem solved.

Article credits: Information courtesy of Monty Stonewall’s blog, author of www.firesciencecolleges.com/about/

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making fire safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. Live Safe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. Live Safe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

This year’s official theme for Fire Prevention Week (FPW), was just announced by the NFPA: “Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!”, held this coming October 3-9, 2010.

This year’s campaign is designed to educate people about the importance of smoke alarms and encourages everyone to take the steps necessary to update and maintain their home smoke alarm protection.

Fire service: All the materials you need for your campaign

Teachers: Lesson plans and letters to send home

Kids and families: Learning about fire safety can be fun

Article Credits: www.nfpa.org

Be sure to follow the Live Safe Foundation for the latest on local events related to fire safety. Live Safe is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making fire safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. Live Safe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. Live Safe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

• Use charcoal lighter or fluid on coals only before you start the fire. Never use gasoline to start or revive a fire. Gasoline in its liquid or vapor form can ignite and cause severe burns.
• Keep damp or wet coals in a well-ventilated area. During the drying process, spontaneous combustion can occur in confined spaces. If a bag of charcoal gets wet, leave it outside and away from the house.
• Use grills where they will not tip over or ignite objects above them. Do not use them on balconies or under awnings. Over one third (33%) of all gas grill and charcoal grill home fires begin on an exterior balcony or unenclosed porch. Keep grills outside of tents and recreational vehicles.
• Never use a grill in the home. The carbon monoxide produced by burning charcoal can be dangerous in an enclosed space.
• Never leave a lighted grill unattended.
• Have a container of water or garden hose ready to extinguish a fire.
• Keep children away from fires and grills. They may try to climb on the grill to see what is cooking.
• Though coals may appear cold, always soak them after cooking. Carefully douse the coals with water, avoiding splashing and splatters form a garden hose and keep your body clear of steam and smoke.
  

  Grilling Safety

• If you use a grill fueled by liquid propane (LP), check all fuel line connections periodically for leaks by coating them with a solution of soap and water and watching for bubbles, an indicator of a leak.
• Light LP-fueled gas grills according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Turn off burner valves and the supply valve on the gas cylinder or tank when the grill in not in use. Never store an LP-fueled grill indoors.
• Make sure you have long-handled grilling tools on hand to give the chef at your house plenty of clearance from heat and flames when flipping burgers.
• If you need to treat a burn, cool it with cool, not cold, water immediately. Cover the burn with a clean cloth and seek emergency help.

Article Credits: Fire Marshal Alan Perkins, CFPS, is a 32-year veteran of the fire service. A Certified Fire Protection Specialist through the National Fire Protection Association and a member of several similar safety organizations. Perkins is the Fire Marshal for the Washington Township Fire Department, Dublin, Ohio. For more information, contact: Leslie Dybiec, Public Information Officer Phone: (614) 652-3928 Fax: (614) 766-2507 or ldybiec@wtwp.com.

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making fire safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. Live Safe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. Live Safe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

In addition, NFPA is going green for the conference by posting handouts online prior to the event and distributing USB drives during the conference.  You can learn about other green initiatives by visiting the NFPA Conference Blog.

Early bird discounts are available until April 30 starting at $550. You can register for the conference online at the NFPA website. Don’t miss out on this great education event.

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making fire safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. LiveSafe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. LiveSafe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

The complete total cost of fire for 2007 is estimated at $347 billion, making up approximately 2.5 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP).

The complete total cost of fire is defined as the sum of economic loss (e.g., property damage, business interruption), human loss (e.g., lives lost, medical treatment, pain and suffering), and the cost of provisions to prevent or mitigate the cost of fire (e.g., fire departments, insurance, and fire protection equipment and construction).

Other key findings from the report:

* Although the core total cost of fire increased, the economic loss due to fire decreased by 13 percent since 1980, totaling at $18.6 billion.
* The total cost of direct property damages, reported or unreported, totaled at $16.6 billion. This figure represents 90 percent of the economic loss. The other 10 percent represents indirect losses, such as business interruption.
* Human losses are estimated at $42.5 billion.

For fact sheets on the total cost of fire, please visit www.nfpa.org/research.

NFPA has been a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. Visit NFPA’s Web site at www.nfpa.org.

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making fire safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. LiveSafe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. LiveSafe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

See the report [FM Gobal Research]

via [NFPA]

1. Carbon Sequestration in Urban Ecosystems, Fawcett Center , Wed, April 14, 8am-8pm
2. Green Building Expo & Get Green Business Conference, Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, Wed, April 14, 8am-4:30pm
3. OEC’s Environmental Lobby Day, Wed, April 14, 8am-6pm (registration ends today)
4. A Brief Photographic History of a Short Section of the Olentangy River, Sierra Club (2231 N. High St., Room 10 0), Wed, April 14th, 7:30pm
5. April Green Drinks – Comedy Event, Dragonfly ( 247 King Ave ), Thurs, April 15, 6:30pm-midnight
6. Earth Day Delaware, N. Sandusky St. , Sat, April 17, 10 am-4pm
7. Creation Care 20 10 A Godly Perspective on Going Green, The Vineyard ( 6000 Cooper Rd. ), Sat, April 17, 9am-1pm
8. Bodhi’s Earth Day Celebration, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Sat, April 17, 10 am-5pm
9. Earth Day 2010: The Update Volunteer Days, Sat, April 17 & Sun, April 18
10. Earth Week Feast, Hills Market ( 7850 Olentangy River Rd. ), Tues, April 20, 6:30-8:30pm, email for reservations
11. Earth Day Eve Celebration, Barley’s Brew House No. 1, Wednesday, April 21st, 7:00pm
12. Worthington PreCycle, Wed, April 21 & Thurs, April 22
13. Dublin Entrepreneurial Center One-Year Anniversary, DEC ( 7003 Post Rd. ), Thurs, April 22, 9am-noon
14. Earth Day 2010: The Update Celebration, Franklin Park , Thurs, April 22, 3- 10 PM
15. Homegrown (The Movie), Studio 35, Thurs, April 22, 7-9pm
16. Recycle Your Computer Day, Tech Used ( 4321-H Leap Rd. ), Sat, April 24, 9am-4pm
17. Household Hazard Waste (HHW) Drop-off, Ashland ( 5200 Blazer Parkway ), Sat, April 24, 8am-2pm
18. Earth Day 20 10 at Easton Town Center , Sat, April 24, 11am-4pm
19. COSI’s Celebration of Earth Day, 333 W. Broad St. , Sat, April 24, 11:30am–3:30pm
20. Earth Day Art Market, South Campus Gateway, Sat, April 24, noon-6pm
21. Moving Ahead 2010, The Ohio State University, May 2-4
22. MORPC Clean Air Fair, Battelle Plaza (Arena District), Fri, May 7, 11am-1pm
23. Bike to Work Week (B2WW), May 10 -20

Information courtesy of The Columbus Zoo’s Conservation News.

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making fire safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. Live Safe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. Live Safe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.