Precautions & Safety Tips By Fire Chief Greg Fuller
Have you checked the batteries in your smoke detectors? Have you planned and practiced your escape routes? Has your heating system been in inspected and serviced? Do you really practice fire safety?
According to the National Fire Protection Association, over 5,500 people are needlessly killed each year as a result of fire. Another 30,000 are injured. Additionally, over 11 billion dollars in property damage occurs annually causing a tremendous negative economic impact. All of this death and destruction is preventable if we can be successful in conveying the important message of fire prevention and stimulating people to action.
We seem to be particularly vulnerable to the tragedy of fire during the winter holiday season. Following a few important safety tips from the NFPA will help us all improve the chances of a happy 2001.
Watch Children See that matches and lighters are out of their reach. Teach them to stay away from candles, fireplaces, fireworks and space heaters. Give them flashlights or light sticks for plays and the like in place of candles when possible.
Choose Toys Wisely For Christmas or Hanukkah pass up those toys that could be highly flammable. Make certain that electric toys are labeled for fire safety and keep them away from your tree or other decorations.
Give Space Heater Space Make certain that space heaters are at least three feet from any combustible surface. Always follow the manufacturers recommendations. Check your fuel; make certain you are using the correct fuel for your heater. Remember that space heaters are for supplemental heat. Overtaxing them can have tragic consequences.
Party Safely New Years, Hanukkah, Christmas make sure every festive occasion is fire safe. Costumes and decorations must be flame retardant or non-combustible. Smokers must be given large deep ashtrays and watched carefully. Check for cigarette butts in upholstery and trash cans. Always cool ashtrays before emptying. And keep matches and lighters away from small children.
Check Out Lights Make sure all holiday lights are labeled by a testing laboratory. Replace any worn sets or those with loose connections. Outside, use labeled outdoor lighting. Be cautious not to overload outlets. Never put lights on a metallic tree and always unplug everything before you leave your home or go to bed.
Keep a Fire Safe Fireplace Have your chimney professionally inspected and cleaned if necessary at least once a year to clear out soot and creosote that can ignite and burn. Always use a fire screen. Only burn materials designed for a fireplace, never paper which can fly out your chimney. Put ashes in metal container and never store them in your home. It is also a good idea to have a spark arrester installed on top of your chimney.
Take Care with Candles Always put candles in candlestick holders before you light them. Do not use them in decorations or displays. Keep candles away from curtains or other combustible materials. Never put them in windows or near exits or leave them in the reach of small children.
Choose a Fresh Tree If you prefer a real tree look for one without shedding needles. Trim its trunk at an angle before you put it in a non-tip stand. Make sure it is watered constantly and placed away from exits and heat sources. All manmade trees should have fire-retardant labels.
The brave and compassionate fire fighters at the City of Huntington Fire Department will be on duty around the clock throughout the holiday season as they always are. Please remember them in your thoughts as prayers while they are away from their families to help keep us all safe and make our community a better place in which to live. Please help with our important mission by being firesafe.
Have a safe and happy holiday season and a wonderful 2001!
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T. Michael Murdock, HNN News Editor