• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“All of us know that winter weather is here, but some of us may not have prepared for what ‘old man winter’ sometimes brings with him,” said Columbus Public Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long.  “Snow, ice, cold temperatures, bone chilling wind and secondary threats such as power outages can cause treacherous conditions which increase accidents and cause harm to residents and the entire community.”

According to public health’s EpiCenter, Columbus Emergency Rooms averaged 180 injury-related visits per day in January 2011. On February 2, emergency room visits escalated to 660 with the vast majority from falls among the adult and elderly populations.

Both Public Health Departments offer the following Winter Weather Tips to keep you and your family healthy and safe:

For Weather-Related Emergencies, including power outages:

• Stock food that needs no cooking or refrigeration.
• Store water in clean containers.
• Keep an up-to-date emergency kit, including:  flashlight; battery operated radio; first aid kit; extra batteries; baby items; sand or cat litter for icy pavement; and, prescription medications.
• Be aware of the risks of carbon monoxide.  Never use a gas range or oven to heat your home or run a generator in your home or basement. Never leave a vehicle running in your garage.

Outdoor Winter Weather Safety Precautions:

• Wear appropriate outdoor winter clothing.
• Use sand or cat litter on slippery pavement.
• Avoid traveling when the weather service has issued advisories.
• Be aware of the wind chill factor.
• Carry a cell phone.

Slip and Fall Tips:

• Don’t put your hands in pockets and don’t carry anything in your hands, use shoulder straps.
• If you have to carry something in your hands and you feel yourself falling, toss the item and use your hands to break your fall.
• Assume all wet areas are slippery and icy.
• Wear footwear that provides traction.
• When in icy or snowy areas, take small, shuffling steps.
• Shovel and apply salt to driveways, walkways, and sidewalks.

“Being prepared for inclement weather is a priority and every family should have a plan,” said Franklin County Public Health Commissioner Susan Tilgner.  “We urge everyone to Be Ready in 3: Make a Plan, Make a Kit, and Listen for additional information.”

For more information on emergency planning and winter weather safety, visit www.publichealth.columbus.gov or www.myfcph.org

Contacts:

• Jose Rodriguez (614) 604-5025 at  jrrodriguez@columbus.gov
• Mitzi Kline: (614) 525-3028 at mrkline@franklincountyohio.gov
• Michael McNutt: (614) 645-2404  at mmmcnutt@columbus.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.

Fire is a major killer when it comes to humans and their pets. The Federal Emergency Management Agency reports that more than 4,000 people die and 25,000 are injured every year due to fires in the United States.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 85 percent of all fire deaths occur at home. Fire departments respond to more than 350,000 home fires every year and deaths caused by fire and burns are the third leading cause of fatalities in the home.

Around 40,000 pets die per year because of fire. The surprising statistic is that approximately 1,000 house fires are accidentally caused by the homeowner’s pets.

In order to prevent house fires, take some of these precautions.

• Pet proof your home. Spend some time walking around and through your home looking for potential fire hazards. Check for  exposed wires, stove knobs that can be turned on by your pet, unsecured heaters or cords, etc.

• Eliminate open flames in your house — especially when you are not present. Candles and fireplaces need to be watched at all times if a pet is present.

• Make sure your pet has identification

• Get a pet alert window cling or sticker and put it in your window. This notifies emergency personnel that there is a pet in the home.

• Do not use glass water or food bowls for your pets as they can act like a magnifying glass when they are in the sunlight, igniting a fire.

• Have your heating system inspected annually.

• Make a fire/emergency escape plan that includes your pets. If you have to evacuate your house take your pets with you.

Submitted by J. Lauren Benton

Source courtesy of www.heraldextra.com.

• 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.
• 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, Dublin, Ohio. The manual can also be downloaded at www.wtwp.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

Images provided by www.failblog.org.

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.

The best defense against water and fire damage due to frozen pipes is to reduce your risk of having frozen pipes in the first place. So, before extremely cold temperatures set in, insulate pipes and faucets in unheated areas such as outside walls, garages, or crawl spaces by wrapping them with insulation specifically designed for this use.

Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses. If left attached, the water, when it freezes, can damage even frost-proof spigots. If you have an older spigot that is not frost proof, shut the water supply off to that spigot and open it to drain any water inside it. Seal access doors, air vents and cracks. Winter winds can quickly freeze exposed water pipes. Do not seal air vents that your furnace and water heater need for proper combustion.

If you leave your home for an extended period, make sure your thermostat is set no lower than 55° F and have someone check your house daily to make sure your heat is on or shut off. If no one is available to check your home, drain the water system (except interior sprinkler systems) until you return. Have your plumber’s phone number handy in the event that you need to reach him/her while you are away.

If your pipes freeze and you think you know where the freeze has occurred and want to thaw it yourself, do not, under any circumstance, warm the pipe with a torch and risk starting a fire. Consult a plumber to assist you and call your insurance agent.

Make sure you and your family members know how to shut off the water supply in the event that you have a pipe freeze, burst and thaw. Stopping the flow of water immediately can minimize the damage to your home. Remember to always be aware of the potential for electric shock in and around standing water.

Author: Fire Marshal Alan Perkins, CFPS, 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.