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Valentine’s Day Gifts to put out Your Fire
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Ah, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner as we officially said goodbye to January, the first month of the year. For many, January was a month of resolutions when we challenge ourselves to make revolutionary changes. Resolutions are great, but they can be undone so quickly. So rather than resolutions, consider providing ourselves and loved ones practical and life saving gifts.

Is the value of your Valentine’s Day tied up in a gift?

One sure-fire way you can make a difference on Valentine’s Day is to provide your sweetheart a priceless gift that says, “I want you around for a long time”.   You can still have a little fun and throw in something sweet, but don’t forget to include something to “put out the fire” such as these items recommended by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

HappyValentinesDay

  • Carbon monoxide detectors — to alert loved ones of a silent killer: carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas formed when fuels-such as natural gas, oil, and wood burn incompletely. While a carbon monoxide detector won’t help keep your loved ones safe from fire, it’s something you should consider for home safety.
  • Smoke alarms — are one of the best fire-safety items for the home. Seventy percent of all home fire fatalities occur in homes where there are no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Consider smoke alarms for everyone on your list. Smoke alarms for people who are deaf or hard of hearing include strobe lights, high decibels and/or vibration. All smoke alarms should be replaced after 10 years.
  • Flashlights — prevent fires by using flashlights instead of candles during power outages.
  • Sturdy candleholders — help prevent tip-over when candles are lit. Lantern-style candle holders can reduce the likelihood of something coming in contact with a candle flame.
  • A secure fireplace screen — keeps embers out of the room.
  • Long fireplace matches — prevents burns.
  • Gift certificates for clean-up services — to remove fire-prone clutter from basements, attics or yards; or for chimney sweeps to prevent creosote build-up that can cause chimney fires.
  • A bathrobe with tight-fitting sleeves — that won’t touch stove burners while cooking.
  • Down or synthetic comforters, flannel sheets or flannel pajamas – to keep a loved one warm, and to reduce the need for space heaters, particularly at night. Generally, space heaters (fixed and portable) are involved in two-thirds of home heating fire deaths.
  • Large, deep, non-tip ashtrays — to help prevent smoking materials from igniting materials nearby.
  • Portable fire extinguishers — with safety tips on how to use them. Make sure the recipient reads and understands the instructions before having to use them. A multi-purpose and dry-chemical type is recommended.
  • Fireproof oven mitts — for stove or barbecue grill to help prevent burns.
  • Large house numbers — to help firefighters locate a home at night quickly during an emergency.
  • Batteries for smoke alarms and flashlight
  • Whistles

    • Facts and figures to consider for seasonal safety:

    • December, January and February are the deadliest months for fires.
    • Cooking and heating are the leading causes of home fires in the months of December through February.
    • Candle fires have nearly tripled in the past decade.

    And what you might ask, is the hottest Valentines Day gift this year?

    LIVESAFE T-Shirts, Caps, Logo Apparel and Gift Items!
    Yes, for the person who has *everything*, why not purchase an authentic LIVESAFE T-Shirt, Cap or Apparel Item? It’s a gift you know they will wear with pride, and a gift you can feel good about giving.

    Proceeds from apparel sales will support TEAM RISE: Members of Team RISE (Runners Inspired by Survivors Everywhere) are preparing to put their running shoes on this spring to raise money for the Phoenix Society.  On May 2, 2010 for the sixth time the group will be participating in Cincinnati’s Flying Pig marathon.  Team leader and event organizer, Bill Zembrodt, is encouraging other Phoenix Society members to join the team for this year’s event. www.phoenix-society.org.

    Please accept our wishes for a joyous, memorable – and safe Valentines Day!

    For product information and safety supplies, please visit our Programmatic Partner the National Institute for Fire and Safety Training online web store for product and other fire safety related information.

    Photo Chart: Google Images

    LiveSafe 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.

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    Guest Post: Thanksgiving Day Fire Safety
    Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

    Thanksgiving Day Fire Safety Tips from Guest Blogger, Terry Flanagan, Director of Safety and Education, NIFAST, National Institute for Fire and Safety Training:

    thanksgiving-turkey[1]
    Cook Smart, Don’t Get Burned!

    Let’s talk Turkey!

    Ahh Thanksgiving!

    The beginning of the holiday season: decorations, family gatherings…a time memories are made.  My favorite memories are football in the backyard , watching the games on TV , and most importantly, a time of giving thanks for all we have been blessed with, and FOOD, lots of food! I can almost smell the wonderful scents from a turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

    Most people know that thanksgiving is the heaviest travel day of the year, but did you know that more kitchen fires occur on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year? Nothing can destroy the holiday season more than a tragic fire or burn injuries.

    There are many hazards that come with the holiday season. Let’s concentrate on Thanksgiving first. Typically, on Thanksgiving day, every cooking appliance is generally in use.  All the burners, the microwave, toaster oven, the stove and maybe even a deep fat turkey fryer! Here are some tips to prevent a tragic occurrence on Thanksgiving.

    -          Make sure you have a kid free zone in the kitchen. This should be at least three feet around the stove.

    -          Keep all combustibles away from the stove, including potholders, towels and other flammables.

    -          Do not wear loose fitting clothing if you are cooking.

    -          Use extreme caution when basting a turkey.

    -          Follow cooking and appliance instructions.

    -          Don’t be afraid to ask for helpers.  A good idea is to keep two people in the kitchen at all times.

    -          Let any thing cooked in the microwave stand for one minute to prevent steam burns

    -          Turn each burner and then stove off when the cooking is done

    -          Have a class B or K rated extinguisher or baking soda nearby 

    If you are using a turkey fryer: 

    -          Follow the directions

    -          If the fryer is for outdoor use do not use it inside or in the garage.

    -          Slowly lower the turkey into the grease.

    -          If it is raining or snowing be aware as this can cause the oil to splatter

    -          Have a Class B or K rated fire extinguisher or baking soda nearby

    -          Do not overfill the fryer with oil

    If a fire occurs:

    -          Do not panic

    -          Evacuate everyone

    -          Call the Fire Department

    -          If you attempt to extinguish the fire DO NOT reach over the burned area even if you have extinguished it as it could reignite.

    Finally, I would like to say thanks. Thanks to the emergency response forces and military stationed far away from home that will have to work to protect the rest of us while we enjoy Thanksgiving with our families and loved ones. You are in our thoughts. THANK YOU

    About Terry Flanagan: TerryFlanaganTerry is the Director of Safety and Education at NIFAST – National Institute for Fire and Safety Training.  NIFAST, National Institute of Fire and Safety training, is a membership based organization developed to train and certify people in various areas of Fire and Safety. Programs are in place for home inspectors, home occupants, college students and off-campus housing environments as well as products for Fire Safety. Terry is a nationally registered Fire Instructor.

    Photo: Courtesy of Google Images

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