Live Safe Foundation

It’s Easy to Eliminate Home Fire Hazards

Guest — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:11:22 +0000

There are more than 1000 home fires every day in our country. That translates to one home fire about every 85 seconds. Some of the most common causes of home fires involve cooking, heating, electricity, and smoking. Help prevent a fire from starting in your home. Conduct a quick home inspection to find and remedy the potential fire hazards you have.

Cooking

Are cooking areas including the stove top and exhaust filters kept clean of grease? If not, this grease can fuel and spread a fire that starts by other means.

Do you keep loose-fitting clothes and sleeves secured or out of the kitchen when you are cooking? Draping fabric can easily come in contact with a flame or heating element and catch fire.

Eliminate Home Fire Hazards

Are pot handles turned inward on your stovetop while you cook so they cannot be bumped and the pot contents accidentally scald someone?

Heating

Are all combustibles such as paper, boxes, and trash kept at least three feet from your furnace and hot water heater?

Has your furnace and chimney been inspected and cleaned?

Do you have a tight-fitting metal or glass screen or door on all wood-burning devices?

Electricity

Are all appliance and extension cords in good condition? Worn or damaged cords can start a fire.

Are all electrical cords out from under rugs, out of doorways. Do not drape cords over nails, staple them to a wall or floor, or securing them with fasteners that can damage the insulation over time. Damaged or exposed wire can cause a fire.

Are all light bulbs and appliances with hot surfaces kept clear of combustibles (drapes, clothing, paper, cardboard, wood etc.)? Don’t forget to look in your closets.

Smoking

Are all cigarettes and cigars extinguished and completely cooled before disposing of them?

Are you careful to never leave a cigarette burning when you are feeling drowsy or leaving a room where it is burning? Smoking is the leading cause of fatal home fires in the United States.

Fire Marshal Alan Perkins, CFPS (Liaison to the Fire Department Community) – Alan’s career in the fire service spans more than 30 years. He is a Certified Fire Protection Specialist through the National Fire Protection Association and a member of numerous similar safety organizations. Alan consults with numerous fire departments throughout Ohio and in 2005 was chosen by the Ohio Department of Health as the fire service member on the Ohio School Inspection Advisory Committee. He was also awarded Ohio Fire Official of the Year in 2009 by the Ohio Building Officials Association. Alan is the Fire Marshal for the Washington Township Fire Department in Dublin, Ohio.

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), 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.

Preventing Falls Especially Important for Elderly

Guest — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:23:03 +0000

This year, more than 10% of Washington Township Fire Department’s calls have been for incidents resulting from falls. Sixty percent of these calls involved adults over the age of 65.

According to the American Geriatrics Society, more than one third of people over the age of 65 have at least one fall each year. Even falls without injury can have negative effects on older adults. Often we find that elderly patients voluntarily restrict their activity because they fear falling. A viscous cycle of less exercise and activity results in further weakness that in turn may result in another fall. While falls resulting in injuries tend to occur more frequently in the elderly population, they are not isolated to this group. Everyone is at risk for falls.

To reduce your risk:

Begin a regular exercise program. Exercise is one of the most important ways to reduce your chances of falling. Exercises that improve balance and coordination are the most helpful. Lack of exercise leads to weakness and increases your chances of falling. Ask your doctor or health care worker about the best type of exercise program for you.
Make your home safer. About half of all falls happen at home. To make your home safer:
Remove things you can trip over (such as papers, books, clothes, and shoes) from stairs and places where you walk.
Remove small throw rugs or use double-sided tape to keep the rugs from slipping.
Keep items you use often in cabinets you can reach easily without using a step stool.
Have grab bars put in next to your toilet and in the tub or shower.
Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors.
Improve the lighting in your home. As you get older, you need brighter lights to see well. Lamp shades or frosted bulbs can reduce glare.
Have handrails and lights installed on all staircases.
Wear shoes that give good support and have thin, non-slip soles. Avoid wearing slippers and athletic shoes with deep treads.
Have your health care provider review your medicines, including ones that don’t require a prescription such as cold medicines. As you get older, the way some medicines work in your body can change. Some medicines, or combinations of medicines, can make you drowsy or light-headed, which can lead to a fall.
Have your vision checked by an eye doctor. You may be wearing the wrong glasses or have a condition such as glaucoma or cataracts that limits your vision. Poor vision can increase your chances of falling.

Winter Preparadness

Guest — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:25:37 +0000

Wintry weather such as heavy snowfall, icy conditions and extreme cold can immobilize our area at anytime during the winter. These storms can result in closed or blocked roads, downed power lines and hypothermia. Before the winter storms and extreme cold arrive, make sure you are prepared:

Get a NOAA Weather Radio to monitor severe weather. Be familiar with winter storm warning messages.
Assemble a disaster supply kit. Store drinking water, canned/no-cook food, baby formula, pet food, non-electric can opener, first aid kit, battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries, spare blankets and a week’s supply of medication where you can get to them easily, even in the dark. Include specific items such as rock salt to melt ice on walkways, sand to improve traction and other snow removal equipment.
Prepare for the possibility that you will need to stay in your home for several days. Ensure that you have sufficient heating fuel for emergency heating equipment in case electricity is cut off. This may include a supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
Before Winter Storms Be Prepared!
House fires pose an additional risk, as more people turn to alternative heating sources such as space heaters without taking the necessary safety precautions. Use approved heating appliances per manufacturer’s instructions. Maintain a three foot clearance between all heaters and combustibles. Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your home knows how to use them.
Find out ahead of time what you can do to help elderly or disabled friends and neighbors.
Develop an emergency communication plan in case family members are separated from one another. This may be necessary if school children are released early due to inclement winter conditions. It’s important to have a plan for getting back together.

Free copies of Washington Township’s 65-page Community Emergency Preparedness Manual are available upon request at our Township Administration Building, 6200 Eiterman Road. The manual can also be downloaded at www.wtwp.com.

Keep Child’s Safety in Mind with Safe Toys and Gifts

Guest — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:38:24 +0000

As the holiday gift-giving season is upon us, so begins our shopping for the toys we enjoy giving the special children in our lives. Selecting the right toy can be a challenge as there are millions from which to choose and new ones appearing on the shelves each year. Although toys are intended to be fun, they can be pose hazards to their users if not soundly designed and constructed or if the toy is not intended for the age of its user.

Visit www.cpsc.gov for information.

Nationwide, nearly 181,500 children (ages 14 and under) were treated in hospital emergency rooms for toy-related injuries last year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Do you know what toys are safe for your child? When evaluating the ones you are considering this year, remember to:

Consider the child’s age, interests and skill level. Look for quality in design and construction, and follow age and safety recommendations on labels.
Consider purchasing a small parts tester (also known as a choke tube) to determine whether small toys may present a choking hazard to children under the age of three. Small parts testers or choke tubes can be purchased at toy or baby specialty stores.
Check the National Safe Kids Campaign web site, www.safekids.org, for updates and information on recent toy recalls.
Avoid toys with sharp points or edges, toys that produce loud sounds, or projectiles (ie. darts, firing rockets).
Avoid toys with strings, straps or cords longer than seven inches that may pose a risk for strangulation.
Avoid electric-powered toys with heating elements for children under the age of eight.
Avoid cap guns as the caps they use can be ignited by the slightest friction and can cause serious burns.

Article provided by Fire Marshal Alan Perkins, Washington Township Fire Department.

Put a Freeze on Winter Fires

Guest — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:00:09 +0000

As we move closer to winter, and home fires begin to increase, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) are reminding individuals and communities that fire safety awareness and efforts are especially important in the coming months. To support this effort, the USFA and NFPA are sponsoring a special initiative - Put a Freeze on Winter Fires – to help get the word out about home fire safety.

Each winter, an estimated 108,400 home fires occur in the United States, resulting in approximately 945 deaths and $1.7 billion in property loss. Cooking is the leading cause of winter home fires, and holiday decorations and winter storms can cause people to turn to alternative heating sources, such as space heaters, which account for about one third of home heating fires and approximately 80 percent of home heating fire deaths.

Winter fires can be prevented! The following fire safety tips can help maintain a fire-safe home this winter season:

Winter Fires Can Be Prevented!

Stay in the kitchen when cooking something on top of the stove or when grilling or broiling food.
Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from space heaters, woodstoves, etc.
Replace damaged electrical or extension cords.
Never use the oven or stovetop to heat a home; carbon monoxide gas can kill people and pets.
Don’t put a live Christmas tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water.
Avoid using lighted candles; try flameless candles instead.

For more information, visit the USFA Web site and the NFPA Web site.

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.

Take the Winter Fire Safety Challenge

Guest — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:10:48 +0000

The Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division is proud to announce their newest fire safety challenge game: Winter Fire Safety Challenge. Questions cover holiday decorating, top fire causes, carbon monoxide and other safety concerns. You can direct your community members to the game, link to it from your website or use it to present to groups on winter fire safety.

You can play the Winter Fire Safety Challenge, and our four other fire safety challenge games here:

Take the Challenge!

Once you get a chance to play, submit your score and let us know what you think of the game.

Halloween Safety Tips

Guest — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:18:07 +0000

Halloween is tonight – Monday night, October 31st.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided some helpful tips for parents and kids planning to venture out for trick or treating reminding all to have a S.A.F.E. H.A.L.L.O.W.E.E.N.

Be Safe on Halloween!

S – Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.

A – Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.

F – Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.

E – Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.

H – Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don’t run from house to house.

A – Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.

L – Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.

L – Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.

O – Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.

W – Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.

E – Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.

E – Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult.

N – Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

Did you Make A Difference?

admin — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:16:10 +0000

This past Saturday, October 22nd, America celebrated Make A Difference Day - an annual, most encompassing national day of helping others - a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Created by USA WEEKEND Magazine, Make A Difference Day is an annual event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. In honor of this national day of helping others, The City of Dublin and Washington Township Fire Department partnered with the Live Safe Foundation to conduct door-to-door fire safety checks.

Do Something That Makes Another Life Better!

The morning kicked off with a 40-minute training session for Dublin volunteers provided by Fire Marshal Alan Perkins and Jill Marcinick, Founder of the Live Safe Foundation. The training included 16 key messages from “Remembering When^TM“, a program fall and fire prevention program developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Center for High-Risk Outreach and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Volunteers were taught how to evaluate a client’s home for hazards using a Home Safety Checklist, as well as how to test a smoke alarm and change its batteries. A team of trained volunteers then dispatched from the Washington Township Fire Department Administrative building to meet and greet various homeowners in targeted areas offering tips and tools to prepare them for the winter season. The mission for the “Make A Difference Day” volunteer was to help keep our Dublin community fire safe and to educate on how to prevent fires and potential fall in the home.

A complimentary literature bag of was provided to each homeowner which included: Remembering When^TM Home Safety Checklists, Brochures and fire/fall prevention reminders, Night Light with battery back-up, Smoke Alarm batteries and other important handouts and safety tools. After each home visit, additional literature bags were dropped off in the areas surrounding homes that delivered important fire safety messages, particularly for the elderly community. The actions of our Dublin volunteers improved the lives and safety for several of the local Seniors. More importantly, the Dublin volunteers found that making a difference for others made a bigger difference in their own lives and personal safety.

The Live Safe Foundation and Washington Township Fire Department are continuing ongoing complimentary Home Fire Safety Surveys. If you would like a home safety consultation or any further assistance and/or questions, please contact the Live Safe Foundation or Washington Township Fire Department (614.652.3920) to ensure your home is fire safe and free of any potential hazards. Let us help you!

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.

Fire Sprinkler Systems Great for Homes Too

Guest — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:38:28 +0000

Imagine having 24-hour fire protection in your home. Sound impractical? Sprinkler systems save lives and reduce fire damages by over 80%. When coupled with smoke alarms, they provide early warning and extinguishment. Sprinklers are so effective because they react quickly, allowing people the time to evacuate the home.

Fire Sprinkler Systems Great for Homes Too

Sprinkler systems have been used in commercial buildings for many years. However, their use in residential settings is increasing. Several factors have contributed to this trend including new technology quick-response sprinkler heads, reduced installation and water supply connection costs, the use of plastic pipe, and the ability to blend the sprinkler heads into the décor of the room.

Homeowners’ most common concerns about fire sprinkler systems such as accidental discharge, water damage, and activation as a result of kitchen cooking are unfounded. The National Fire Protection Association’s records indicate the probability of a sprinkler discharging accidentally due to a manufacturing defect is one in 16 million. And, in a typical home, water damage will be considerably less from unwanted sprinkler discharges than from plumbing mishaps. Lastly, smoke resulting from burned toast or other food preparations cannot cause a sprinkler to operate. Only the high temperatures that result from a fire will activate the sprinkler. Even then, all the sprinklers will not activate at the same time. They work independently. Only the sprinkler closest to the fire activates and, 90% of the time, one sprinkler contains the fire.

Sprinklers are installed by specially trained and certified contractors. The best time to install a system is when you are building a new or remodeling an existing home. Installing sprinklers can add about 1% – 1.5% to the total cost of construction. Retrofitting an existing home with sprinklers generally costs more and the cost varies depending on the structure in which they are installed. Many insurance companies offer a range of discounts for homeowners with home fire sprinkler systems.

So if you will be building a new home or embarking on a renovation or remodel in the future, consider installing sprinklers in part or all of your home.

Fire Safety for the Disabled

Guest — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:46:36 +0000

Everyone can become momentarily disabled in a fire from blinding smoke and poisonous gas, but those with physical and/or cognitive disabilities face an even greater danger. Long term conditions such as paralysis, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and muscular dystrophy are what most people think of first when they think about disabilities. But short term disabilities such as those we face when recovering at home from surgery are even more common and warrant the same fire safety considerations as long term disabilities.

Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD)

If mobility is limited, a ground floor dwelling with a special safety exit and/or ramps for escape may be needed. Make sure all doors open outward from the inside by reversing the hinges. Make sure smoke alarms are installed in or near every sleeping area and that a telephone or telecommunications device is accessible by the person with the disability.

Those who are deaf or hard of hearing should have a smoke alarm that uses a flashing strobe light or motorized bed shaker to wake them. Almost half of all fatal fires start at night when people are asleep. Because smoke can put people in a deeper sleep, is it is important to have the early warning that smoke alarms provide to ensure that they wake.

Plan and practice home fire escape plans including emergency escape routes. Designate a helper to assist those whose mobility is impaired. Emergency telephone numbers need to be posted in central locations. Keep a communications device nearby. Teletypewriters (TYY) or Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD) should be placed close to the bed so that communication with emergency personnel is possible should a fire or smoke trap them in their room.

If you would like assistance reviewing emergency escape procedures for your home or would like the Washington Township Fire Department to include someone in your household in our database of children and adults with special medical conditions, contact the Division of Fire Prevention at 614-652-3920. The information collected for our database is confidential and is used solely for the purpose of locating, rescuing, and/or treating those in your home who have special medical conditions, requirements, or limitations in the event of an emergency.