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It might surprise some that cooking
equipment, most often a range or
stovetop, is the leading cause of
reported home fires and home fire
injuries in the United States. Cooking
equipment is also the leading cause of
unreported fires and associated
injuries. Serious injury or even death
can occur when people cook wearing loose
clothing (especially hanging sleeves),
walk away from a cooking pot on the
stove, or leave flammable materials,
such as potholders or paper towels,
around the stove. Whether you are
cooking the family holiday dinner or a
snack for the children, practicing safe
cooking behaviors will help keep you and
your family safe.
Additionally, more than one-third of
Americans use fireplaces, wood stoves
and other fuel-fired appliances as
primary heat sources in their homes.
Unfortunately, many people are unaware
of the fire risks when heating with wood
and solid fuels. Heating fires account
for 36% of residential home fires in
rural areas every year. Often these
fires are due to creosote buildup in
chimneys and stovepipes. All home
heating systems require regular
maintenance to function safely and
efficiently.
Finally, as in every season, have
working smoke alarms installed on every
level of your home, test them monthly
and keep them clean and equipped with
fresh batteries at all times. Know when
and how to call for help. And remember
to practice your home escape plan.
FEMA Urges
Caution When Using Portable
Generators
WASHINGTON – The Department of
Homeland Security’s Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
has joined with the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) in issuing a
warning to consumers confronted
by the recent winter weather.
When there’s a power outage,
exercise caution when using
portable generators.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an
invisible killer. You can’t see
or smell it. A generator’s
exhaust contains poisonous CO
which can kill you in a matter
of minutes.
Last year, at least 65 people
died from generator-related CO
poisoning. Many of the deaths
occurred after winter storms
knocked out power.
Follow these important generator
safety tips:
-
Never use a portable generator
inside a home, garage, shed or
other partially enclosed space,
even if doors and windows are
open.
-
Place portable generators
outside only, far away from the
home. And keep the generator
away from openings to the home,
including doors, windows and
vents.
-
Read the label on the generator
and the owner’s manual, and
follow the instructions.
-
Install CO alarms with battery
backup in the home outside each
sleeping area.
-
Get to fresh air immediately if
you start to feel sick, weak or
dizzy. CO poisoning from
exposure to generator exhaust
can quickly lead to
incapacitation and death.
Last year, CPSC mandated a
new danger label on
generators manufactured after
May 14, 2007. The label states
that, "Using a generator indoors
CAN KILL YOU IN MINUTES."
FEMA and CPSC also caution
people to never use charcoal for
cooking in the home. Every year
individuals lose their lives
attempting to cook with charcoal
when power is out. Charcoal
fires should only be used
outside of the home.
For more information, please
visit these pages on the CPSC
and U.S. Fire Administration Web
sites:
FEMA coordinates the federal
government’s role in preparing
for, preventing, mitigating the
effects of, responding to and
recovering from all domestic
disasters, whether natural or
man-made, including acts of
terror.
Toylike Lighters- Playing with Fire
Toylike or novelty
lighters have been responsible for
injuries, deaths, and accidents across
the Nation. Children are attracted to
novelty lighters because they look like
toys. Many of these lighters look like
animals, miniature cars, mobile phones,
cameras, fishing lures, stacks of coins,
markers, and doll accessories. One
lighter is nearly identical to the
popular rubber ducky bath toy—it even
quacks! There are also toylike and
novelty lighters that look like tools
such as tape measures, drills, hammers,
and paint brushes. Ironically, there are
even lighters that mimic a Dalmatian
donning a fire helmet, a red fire truck,
or fire extinguishers.
For more information:
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/subjects/arson/arson_awareness.shtm
For
more Safety Tips from NFPA
Kids Page
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