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Halloween Safety Tips
Monday, October 31st, 2011

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.

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.

 

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Water Safety for Children
Thursday, June 2nd, 2011

Summer in Ohio is the season when many of us spend time in and around water- fishing, boating, and swimming. Some of my most fond childhood memories were made at the local swimming pool. However, once we become comfortable swimmers, it’s easier to take risks in and around water. That’s why it’s important to remind your family members of potential water safety hazards. You could prevent an injury or drowning, the second leading cause of death from unintentional injuries for people ages 5-24.

To help your children reduce their risk of drowning, review these important water safety guidelines with them:

  • Swim only if a lifeguard or adult give your permission.
  • Follow the posted rules such as Danger, No diving, or No swimming.
  • Always swim with a buddy. If you get tired or need any help, a buddy may be able to help or find help.
  • Before swimming in an unfamiliar place, check with a lifeguard or adult to see how deep the water is. Unless you know how to swim, never go in water in which you can’t maintain your chest and head above the surface while standing.
  • Never jump or dive unless the lifeguard or an adult says it’s OK to do so. Enter the water feet-first the first time instead of diving.
  • Don’t eat candy or chew gum when swimming. You could choke.
  • Never swim at night. Darkness can hide dangerous obstacles and, if you are injured, darkness makes it more difficult for rescue workers to find and help you.
  • Get out of the water right away if you hear thunder or see lightning.
  • When on a boat, children and adults should wear a personal flotation device (PFD). Should you fall into the water, PFDs help keep you afloat with your head out of the water. Having your head out of the water helps maintain your body temperature and will make it easier for others to see you so they can provide help. Air-filled swimming aids are no substitute for a PFD and should never be used instead of a PFD.
  • Learn to float, tread water, and swim. Having these skills can decrease your chance of drowning should you accidentally find yourself in water over your head.

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 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.

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May is Building Safety Month
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011

When you turn on a light switch, do you ever wonder if you’ll be electrocuted? Do you worry about your home’s roof caving in? Or believe your home’s water pipes might be frozen when you turn on the faucet?

Most of us never think twice about these things. That’s because we are confident in the work done every day by the 50,000 members of the International Code Council, the people who safeguard our homes and businesses by creating and enforcing strong building safety codes at the city, county and state levels.

This May, the International Code Council Foundation (ICCF) will celebrate its 31st Building Safety Month, An International Celebration of Safe and Sensible Structures. Throughout the month, ICC members will educate the public and builders about building safety and sustainability issues as well as sharing ideas for making structures more energy efficient and durable.

Building Safety Month was formed in 1980 in response to a series of tragedies that could have been prevented through the existence and enforcement of safety codes.

“Building safety codes are often taken for granted, but they are incredibly necessary, and the foundation upon which healthy, secure homes and buildings are built,” said Richard P. Weiland, ICCF Board of Governors and CEO of the Code Council. “Building Safety Month is our way of introducing ourselves to the public and sharing what we know so they can live healthier, safer lives in secure and sustainable homes, schools and buildings.”

Building Safety Month receives support from important industry groups such as BASF – The Chemical Company, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, (FLASH), the National Center for Healthy Housing, (NCHH), The Propane Education & Research Council, (PERC) and BuildingReports among others.

Celebrations across the country will come in many shapes and sizes, from free deck inspections, school assemblies, and official proclamations with governors, to film festivals.  Whether the celebrations are formal, ceremonial or just plain fun, the message is that adoption and enforcement of strong buildings codes can make the difference between life and death.

Week One: May 1 – 7 Energy and Green Building

The first week of Building Safety Month will be devoted to green and energy efficiency. Consumers can learn low-cost ways to make existing homes more efficient, long-term strategies for long-term savings, and tips on building green in new construction.

“As a leading provider of energy-saving, durable building materials, our vision is that all families will live in affordable, energy-efficient, safe homes that reduce environmental impacts. This mission and our company’s offerings closely mirror the themes for Building Safety Month,” said Michael Sievers, Business Manager, BASF, the 2011 Building Safety Month Presenting Sponsor.

“Saving energy and protecting the environment are good reasons to build ‘green,’ and new research shows that building green can also improve health,” said Rebecca Morley, Executive Director of the National Center for Healthy Housing, a national non-profit committed to creating safe and healthy homes for children through practical and proven steps. “Modern, enforced building codes can help to maximize the health benefits of green building and to avoid potential unintended consequences of creating tighter buildings,” added Ms. Morley.

Week Two: May 8 – 14 Disaster Safety and Mitigation

The recent disaster in Japan has shined a spotlight on the critical importance of adhering to stringent building codes. Without a steadfast devotion to building earthquake-resistant structures, the devastation in Japan would have been significantly worse.

Major earthquake fault lines, tornado zones, flood-prone coastal areas, dry wildfire targets, and even a volcano are potential hazards within highly populated areas of the United States. During week two of Building Safety Month, consumers will learn how to prepare their homes to be safer from these and other natural disasters.

Education partner the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes,(FLASH) a national non-profit organization, is dedicated to educating consumers on how to prepare homes to withstand an array of national disasters such as wildfires, floods, earthquakes, high winds, hurricanes and tornadoes.

“FLASH is thrilled to support ICCF’s Building Safety Month,” says FLASH President/CEO Leslie C. Henderson. “Through our work, we see first-hand the remarkable difference that codes and standards can make in avoiding the devastating effects of natural disasters. The wonderful work of the ICCF and Building Safety Month will reach many people across the country.”

Week Three: May 15 – 21, Fire Safety and Awareness

Despite aggressive education efforts by many organizations, many residential fire-related deaths remain preventable. The third week of Building Safety Month focuses on the critical issue of Fire Safety. In addition to encouraging safe use of smoke detectors, candles and home fireplaces, consumers will learn important tips about safely using gas and electronic appliances.

Week Four: May 22 – 31, Backyard Safety

As Memorial Day approaches, officially kicking off the barbeque and outdoor living season in America, it’s a great time to remind homeowners of the dos and don’ts of installing, operating and maintaining their outdoor appliances.

“Outdoor living spaces are increasingly popular, whether homeowners have a deck with a grill—or something more elaborate with heating, lighting and a pool or spa,” says Stuart Flatow, Vice President Safety & Training of the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC). “By supporting the ICCF’s Backyard Safety Week, we at PERC want to help homeowners enjoy their backyards—while keeping that space safe.”

First observed in 1980 as Building Safety Week, Building Safety Month is a program of the International Code Council Foundation. The International Code Council Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission to promote public awareness of ideas‚ methods and technologies that encourage the construction of safe, durable and sustainable buildings and homes, reducing the devastating effects of building damages due to natural disasters and other tragedies.

SOURCE: International Code Council Foundation via PRNewswire and USNewswire.

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.

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Smoke Rises – Crawl Low
Friday, March 18th, 2011

Approximately eight out of ten fire deaths are caused by smoke inhalation, not from burns.  In fact, some victims never even see flames before they are overcome by the smoke.  Although you can’t see them, it is the toxic gases and superheated air in smoke that makes it so dangerous.

Plastics, in particular, give off a very poisonous gas when burned. Since most homes and offices have a significant number of furnishings and machines, such as furniture and computers with high plastic content, fires in these places often generate a tremendous amount of noxious smoke.

Smoke also contains another poisonous gas called carbon monoxide. This tasteless, odorless gas causes confusion, reduced mental capacity and eventually death.  If impaired by carbon monoxide poisoning, victims will likely be challenged to find an escape route or make a sound decision about their safety. Knowing how to avoid smoke is one of the most important factors in surviving a fire.

Smoke is lighter than air so it rises above air. During a fire, the superheated air and smoke fill the room from the top down. Some poisonous smoke may settle near the floor, but in between is a safety zone of breathable air about one to two feet above the floor.

To prevent smoke inhalation, crawl on your hands and knees to your exit, keeping your head in the safety zone. Firefighters use this same method when navigating a building where smoke is present.

Getting an early warning to the presence of smoke can give you the few vital minutes you need to get out safely. Smoke alarms are designed to do just that.  They give you the precious time you need to implement your escape plan and crawl under the smoke to safety.

To prevent smoke inhalation, crawl on your hands and knees to your exit, keeping your head in the safety zone.

Images: Courtesy of Google Images www.flickr.com

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 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.

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Have a Fire-safe halloween
Monday, October 25th, 2010

Costumes, decorations, glowing pumpkins and treats are all part of what makes Halloween fun for all ages.  Whether you are hosting a party, helping your little one with their costume, or decorating your home for beggar’s night, following these few simple tips will help make your Halloween a safer one.

Costumes  

  • Purchase only labeled flame-resistant or flame-retardant costumes, wigs and masks. These labels do not mean these items won’t catch fire. Instead, they indicate that these fabrics will resist burning and should extinguish quickly, once removed from the ignition source.
  • Instruct your child to stay away from open flames or other heat sources. Review with them the principle of “stop, drop, and roll” (stop immediately, drop to the ground covering your face with your hands, and roll over and over to extinguish flames).
  • Keep dried flowers, cornstalks, crepe paper, and other highly flammable decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs, candles, heaters, etc.  The National Fire Protection Association reports that decorations for special events like Halloween accounted for an average of 1,150 home fires each year and that most of these fires could be attributed to candles.
  • Keep Jack-O-Lanterns and electric lamps or lights far away from drapes, other decorations, high traffic areas, or areas where children and pets will be.
  • When decorating walkways and yards, use flashlights or battery-operated candles in place of wax candles. They are much safer for visitors, whose costumes may brush against the lighting.

Beggar’s Night and Parties

  • Take a flashlight (with fresh batteries) along to help you see and be seen.
  • Help your children locate the exits and escape routes in the buildings and homes where they attend parties.
  • If you are hosting a party, keep exits clear of decorations, ensuring nothing blocks escape routes.
  • Add reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility in the dark.

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 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.

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Rules of the Road for Emergency Vehicles
Friday, August 28th, 2009

Live Safe today – be alert in your car and on the road – especially because it’s back to school time and our streets are getting busy. Nothing is more frustrating than witnessing drivers not yielding to emergency vehicles. Most recently a collision occurred between a fire truck and a tow truck close to the Live Safe office building in which the tow truck driver had not yielded to the fire truck.  Unfortunately, the situation ended in a wreck and multiple injuries.  (For details on the crash visit: The Columbus Dispatch : Westerville Road reopened following fire truck-tow truck crash).

This situation leads to a timely “Report From the Line of Duty”:

Rules of the Road for Emergency Vehicles

By Fire Marshal Alan Perkins, Washington Township Fire Department

Dublin, OH – In a crisis situation, it is imperative that emergency responders arrive as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, many are delayed by motorists who don’t yield the right of way, causing serious accidents and increasing the time it takes emergency personnel to reach the scene. Because every second counts in an emergency, even a brief delay can mean the difference between life and death for someone.

There are many reasons why drivers fail to yield. Some are not paying attention to traffic behind them as well as in front of them. Some cannot hear the siren because their car stereo’s volume prohibits it or their attention is on a cell phone conversation. Some may not know what to do when an emergency vehicle approaches.

When an emergency vehicle responding to a call approaches:

  • Pull to the right and stop. State laws requires all drivers to yield the right-of-way by immediately driving, if practical, to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right edge or curb.
  • Always make sure all public safety vehicles have passed before proceeding.
  • Be sure to check your rearview mirror before pulling back into the travel lane.
  • Don’t block any intersection. If it is not possible or safe to clear the intersection, move as far as possible away from the center of the intersection.

It is extremely frustrating for the driver of an emergency vehicle to try to navigate moving cars and blocked intersections.  Although it may pose a temporary inconvenience for travelers, yielding to vehicles on emergency calls is critical. It could be your loved one they are trying to reach.

For more information contact: Leslie Dybiec, Public Information Officer

Phone: (614) 652-3928

Fax: (614) 766-2507

ldybiec@wtwp.com

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Always a Brave: Remembering Danny Dahlquist
Monday, August 24th, 2009

Always a Brave: Remembering Danny Dahlquist. A tribute to Danny’s life.  See how a prank using a firecracker turned into a tragic loss of life.

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Do You Know How To Live Safe?
Sunday, August 23rd, 2009

Welcome to the First Edition of the Live Safe blog. In this era of social connectivity, finding ways to communicate solutions often and with many different people and businesses is now a way of life – we are constantly emailing, texting, twittering, facebooking and now blogging. Creating a blog and an online conversation seemed to be the natural next step for Live Safe. Our blog will be a place where we can share some of what we have learned, as well as bring you information from our industry experts. Live Safe is pleased to share with you a terrific feature article by our friend, fan and guest author, Tina Robinette, (Senior Deputy Fire Marshal; Boiling Springs, SC) who we had the pleasure of meeting through Twitter.

Do you know how to LIVE SAFE?

One of the most important things to know is how to react to emergencies. Being in the Fire Service, I tend to lean toward Fire Emergencies and the importance of getting out. However, there are many other type of emergencies, today we are going to focus on Fire.

Many of us have grown up hearing the all too important words, GET OUT & STAY OUT when a fire emergency happens. One point eludes many when thinking this way. Do you know how to “GET OUT?”

Home Fire Drills are one of the best things you can do for yourself & your family. Creating a Fire Escape plan and practicing it often will help everyone if a fire emergency occurs in your home.  Conducting regular fire drills will give you the knowledge and confidence to escape a fire safely. There are two steps for a good evacuation program – planning and practice.

Planning:

As part of your home fire escape plan, you should figure out two ways to escape from each part of your home. This is important because your most obvious exit may be blocked by the fire. Do you have a ladder to get out of second floor windows?

Making a drawing of your escape is helpful for all members of the family.

You should also have a plan for how each family member is going to get out. While older children and teens can likely be responsible for their own escape, younger kids, elderly family members and anyone with a disability may need help escaping.

Lastly, plan a place outside the home where everyone is supposed to meet once they get out.

The National Fire Protection Association (www.nfpa.org) offers detailed information on setting up a home fire escape plan for your family, including basic fire escape planning, tips for people living in apartment buildings, and how to make sure your kids are safe when they sleepover at a friend’s home.

Practice:

Now you have to practice your fire escape plan. In a real fire, with smoke, fire, alarms, it is very easy for family members, especially children, to get confused about how to get out. Regular home fire drills can help to make sure that everyone is prepared to escape a fire.

Hold fire drills at least 2 times a year. A good way to remember fire drills might be to have one every time someone in the family has a birthday.

Fire drills do not have to happen in the middle of the night or be a complete surprise in order to be effective. While a surprise drill may not be a bad idea once in a while, just having the drills is a good opportunity for everyone to practice what they know.

Have family members start the drill from their bed. Be sure they crawl low and feel doors before opening them. Go down stairways on your bottom.

By Planning & Practicing your Emergency Evacuation Drill, you will know how to Live Safe!

Source: Guest Author: Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal, Tina Robinette. Wife, mom to 3, friend to several and has a passion for the fire service.  Tina promotes and teach fire and life safety. She is a fire prevention and life safety education specialist, Fire Investigator, Certified Fire Plans Examiner, Certified Fire Inspector I & II. Boiling Springs, South Carolina.

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