FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
October 7 - 13, 2007
PRACTICE YOUR ESCAPE PLAN
In 2007, National Fire Prevention Week will be observed October 7-13. The theme of this year's awareness program is "PRACTICE YOUR ESCAPE PLAN".
Only 23% of households have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.
MAKE YOUR HOME ESCAPE PLAN! Draw a simple floor plan of your home showing all exits, including windows. Sit down with everyone in your home, talk about the two best ways to get out of each room, and mark those exits on your plan. Make sure all exits are clear. If you have security bars, make sure they have quick-release devices on the inside. Decide on a safe meeting place outside the home where everyone will gather after they have escaped a fire. Be sure everyone knows the local emergency phone number for the fire department. Make sure everyone knows the sound of the smoke alarm and when it sounds to get out and stay out.
NOW PRACTICE IT! Send everyone to his or her bedroom and sound the smoke alarm, Go directly to your meeting place and make sure everyone has escaped. Close off some exits and pretend they're blocked by smoke or flame. In a real fire, you should call the fire department from a neighbor's phone or a mobile phone only after you have left the building. IN A REAL FIRE, YOU MUST MOVE QUICKLY, CAREFULLY, AND CALMLY!
RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS! Consider installing an automatic sprinkler system in your home. Sprinkler systems are set off by high heat, not cooking fumes, and spray water only on the area immediately below them.
KEEP IN MIND!!
One residential home fire was reported every 83 seconds in the United States during 2005!
A structure fire was reported every 62 seconds in the United States in 2005!
Fire Prevention Week
October 8-14, 2006
PREVENT COOKING FIRES
Watch What You Heat
In 2006, National Fire Prevention Week will be observed October 8-14. The theme of this year's awareness program is "PREVENT COOKING FIRES - WATCH WHAT YOU HEAT".
PREVENT COOKING FIRES: WATCH WHAT YOU HEAT! Cooking equipment is involved in more than 100.000 reported home fires each year. Most of these fires start because people are not paying attention to their cooking.
COOKING SAFETY TIPS
PAY ATTENTION WHEN YOU COOK! Most cooking fires occur because of unattended cooking.
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Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling, or boiling food. |
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If you must leave the room even for a short period of time, turn off the stove. |
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When you are simmering, baking or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home, and use a timer to remind you. |
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When you finish cooking, turn off all burners and ovens. |
MICROWAVES! Read the manufacturer's instructions before you use a microwave oven.
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Plug the oven directly into an outlet. Never use an extension cord for a microwave - it can overload the circuit and cause a fire. |
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Use only microwave-safe containers to heat food. |
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Allow food to cool for a minute or more before you remove it from the oven and use an oven mitt. |
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Open food slowly. Hot steam escaping can cause painful burns. Let food an liquid cool before you eat or drink it. |
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Remember that containers may feel warm, the contents may be very hot. |
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Never use aluminum foil or metal objects in a microwave oven. They can cause a fire or burn hazard and damage the oven. |
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If you have a fire in your microwave, turn it off immediately and keep the door closed. Never open the door until the fire is completely out. If in doubt, get out of the home and call the fire department. |
SMALL KITCHEN FIRES:
Always keep an oven mitt and a lid nearby. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan (make sure you are wearing the oven mitt.) Turn off the burner. To keep the fire from restarting, do remove the lid until it is completely cool. Never pour water on a grease fire. If the fire does not go out, get out of the home and call the fire department.
OVEN FIRES:
Turn off the heat and keep the doors closed to prevent flames from burning you or your clothing. If the fire does not go out, get out of the home and call the fire department.
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS:
Know what type of fire your fire extinguisher will put out. Learn how to use your fire extinguisher before a fire occurs.
NEAT AND CLEAN:
Keep pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels, curtain, and anything else that can burn away from your stovetop. Clean up food and grease from burners and the stovetop.
BURN PREVENTION:
If you have young children, use the stove's back burners whenever possible. Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove. When you cook, wear clothing with tight fitting sleeves. Treat a burn right away by putting it in cool water for 3 to 5 minutes. Then cover the burn with a clean, dry cloth. When in doubt, seek medical attention.
COUNTERTOP SAFETY:
Use only ONE heat-producing appliance of the same electrical circuit at a time. Have ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) installed on kitchen-counter outlets. Replace cracked or frayed electrical cords. If an appliance feels too hot, smokes or gives off an unusual odor, unplug it immediately. Then have it serviced or replaced.
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK 2005
OCTOBER 9 - 15
USE CANDLES WITH CARE
When You Go Out, Blow Out!
CANDLE BASICS
1. Use sturdy, non-flammable candle holders that won't tip over easily and are large enough to collect dripping wax.
2. Burn candles on level, uncluttered surfaces.
3. Keep candles at least one foot away from anything that can burn.
4. Trim candle wicks to a quarter inch before lighting.
5. Don't place lit candles in windows or doorways where drafts could bring combustibles in contact with the flame.
6. Extinguish candles when they burn down to within two inches of their holders. Be careful not to splatter the wax.
7. Never leave burning candles or glowing wicks unattended.
EMERGENCY LIGHTING
Candles are not the best choice for emergency lighting. Keep working flashlights and battery-powered lamps on hand for when your power goes off.
If you do use candles during a power failure:
1. Don't walk around with a lit candle.
2. Keep candles away from kerosene or any flammable fuel.
CANDLES AND KIDS
Children should be taught that candles, like matches and lighters, are tools for adults, not toys.
1. Don't allow children or teens to burn candles in their bedrooms.
2. Supervise children around burning candles.
3. Place candles away from table edges where children or pets can't knock them over.
4. Store candles, matches, and lighters up high and out of children's sight and reach, preferably in a locked cabinet.
CANDLES IN THE BEDROOM
Two out of every five home candle fires start in bedrooms. The National Fire Protection Association discourages burning candles in bedrooms or other areas where people may fall asleep. Keep candles well away (at least one foot) from bedding, curtains, blinds, wallpaper, upholstered furniture, piles of clothing and newspapers and magazines.
2008
Fire Fighters Association Poster Contest
The Herculaneum Fire Department, in conjunction with the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri , announces the rules for the 2008 Poster Contest. Theme for the poster contest is: PRACTICE YOUR ESCAPE PLAN!
CONTEST RULES
1. There will be three divisions:
A) Kindergarten and Grade 1
B) Grades 2 - 3
C) Grades 4- 5-6
2. Sponsoring departments may submit top three posters in each division.
3. All posters must meet the following requirements:
A) All posters must be the work of one child
B) Posters must be on 12" x 19" regular construction paper/poster board
C) No paste-ons allowed
D) The child's name, grade, school, county and sponsoring department must be on back of the poster
E) Posters must incorporate and state the theme
4. The winning poster in each division shall become the property of the FFAM
5. The following prizes will be awarded to the winners of each division:
A) First place in each category will receive $75.00
B) Second place in each category will receive $50.00
C) Third place in each category will receive $25.00
6. The winning posters in each division will be matted and displayed at the Fire Station at the Missouri State Fair
during the fair.
7. Prizes in each division will be awarded at the division winner's school during the first week of May by the local
Fire Chief and the FFAM district representative
8. The following is how the posters will be judged:
A) 75% on how the poster represents the fire prevention theme
B) 25% on artistic ability
9. All posters must be presented to the fire prevention committee no later than 7:00 PM on the evening of
the opening ceremonies of the annual FFAM Convention
Question regarding the Fire Prevention Poster Contest can be directed to:
FFAM
P O BOX 200
GRAIN VALLEY, MO 64029
877 847-3326
or
ffamo@sbcglobal.net
Herculaneum Fire Department
2006 Fire Prevention Week Activities
During National Fire Prevention Week 2006, the Herculaneum Fire Department was involved in several activities related to fire prevention. To get the week started, the Fire Department hosted an Open House at the Herculaneum Fire Station, 848 Broad Street, Herculaneum from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. At the Open House on October 8, the fire department displayed all department equipment and distributed fire safety literature. Children in attendance received coloring/activity books, a stuffed fire-fighter bear, fire-safety silicone bracelets and other fire safety literature. The department provided rides on the fire trucks throughout the city. Smokey Bear and Fire Pup were in attendance. Refreshments were served to those in attendance.