October 24th, 2011
Believe it or not, according to the National Fire Protection Association, each year more than 1,000 house fires are accidentally started by pets. Pet proofing your home against potential fire hazards could save your life and the lives of your favorite four-legged friends.
We suggest practicing the following tips to keep you, your family and your pets safe.
- Be sure to secure wires and cords. Cats are especially interested in playing with anything that looks like string. Keep electrical wires and power cords secured and out of your pet’s reach.
- Don’t leave lit candles unattended, remember to blow them out when you are not in the same room. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock the candles over.
- Pets are naturally curious and will investigate almost anything that has a scent, including your oven. Did you know, exploring stove tops is the number one way your pet can accidentally start a fire?
- There is no such thing as too many smoke detectors. Your home should have at least one on each floor of your home and especially outside of each bedroom.
- In the event of an emergency, placing a pet rescue sticker alerts rescue workers that animals are inside your home. Write down the number of pets inside and attach the sticker to a front window or door
For more information on pet protection within your home, view:
Prepare Your Fiddo and Kitty When You Escape from a Fire.
Tags: fire escape plan, fire prevention, fire safety, Fire Safety Education, Kitchen Fire Safety Tips, pet fire protection, pets
Posted in Fire & Smoke Alarms, Fire Safety & Electronics, Fire Safety Devices, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips, Pets & Fire
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October 19th, 2011
As long as there has been wood to burn, man has used it to stay warm. Our predecessors who discovered fire had the edge on a renewable heating source that is not only cost-effective, but also an environmentally friendly way to heat the home.Still, many of today’s homeowners rely primarily on gas, propane and oil to heat their homes rather than looking to wood.
Here is some information about using wood to heat your home that may surprise you.
- Wood is environmentally friendly. It may seem that cutting down trees for fuel would be counterproductive to the “green” movement. However, trees are a renewable resource that, like other biomass, is carbon neutral. While growing, trees absorb carbon dioxide; when they die they release caron dioxide regardless of whether they burn or decompose. Fossil fuels by comparison are a one-way street, releasing greenhouse gasses in a matter of minutes that have been captured deep in the earth over millions of years.
- Wood can save money. When burning logs in the new generation of high efficiency hydronic furnaces (or wood boilers). The heat generated is more intense and little is lost up the chimney. Wood furnaces can be used in lieu of standard heating systems featuring gas or oil during the heating months, or as an add-on when homeowners prefer to use other heating sources as their primary method of heating. This reduced need for oil, propane and natural gas means a reduction in monthly heating bills.
- Wood can be a clean way to provide heat. There are plenty of people who have wrestled with cords of wood to stock wood-burning stoves or fireplaces, only to find that the mess left behind in the way of trailed bark and ashes leaves much to be desired. However, homeowners who use the next generation wood boilers will find that there is little to no mess involved.
- Wood is a safe heating method. Using a wood-fired furnace can be just as safe as any other traditional heating source. Just as with other furnaces, proper operating procedures should be followed.
For more information on furnaces and heating your home, view:
Winter Heating Safety Tips
Tags: burn awareness week, Burn Institute, Earthwise, fire prevention, fire safety, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety for All, home fire safety
Posted in Burns, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips, Get Involved
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October 11th, 2011
This year from October 9th – 15th, the nation recognizes fire safety for families with Fire Prevention Week, dedicated by the National Fire Prevention Association. Since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls. Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began on October 8 and continued into October 9, where it did most of its damage.
In honor of this week, we offer these ideas on fire prevention to keep you and your family safe:
- Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
- Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
- Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
- Replace or repair damaged or loose electrical cords.
- If you smoke, smoke outside.
- Use deep, wide ashtrays on a sturdy table.
- Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Avoid the use of candles in the bedroom and other areas where people may fall asleep.
For more information about fire safety week, visit the National Fire Protection Association website.
Tags: burn awareness week, cooking fire safety tips, electronic fire safety, fire prevention, fire prevention week, fire safety, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety for All, fire safety for families, fire safety for kids
Posted in Children & Fire Safety, Fire Safety Devices, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips, Get Involved
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