November 16th, 2011
Did you change back your clocks for daylight saving time earlier this month? This time of year also marks an important safety milestone.
As our nation moved back to standard time, the U.S. Fire Administration encourages you to mark the occasion as a time to test your home smoke alarms and replace the batteries if more than one year old.
Every day in the United States home fire deaths occur and working smoke alarms significantly increase the chances of surviving a deadly fire. Properly installed and maintained smoke alarm is the only thing in a home that can alert people to a fire 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whether you’re awake or asleep, a working smoke alarm is constantly on alert scanning the air for fire and smoke.
In addition to changing smoke alarm batteries, Albemarle recommends the following steps to protect lives:
• Dust or vacuum smoke alarms when changing the batteries.
• Check alarms once a month using the test button.
• Replace the entire alarm if it is more than 10 years old or does not work properly when tested.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of a home, including the basement, and both inside and outside sleeping areas.
• For the best protection, equip a home with a combination of ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms or dual sensor alarms.
• Interconnect all smoke alarms so when one sounds, they all sound.
• Make sure everyone in a home understands the warning of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond to an emergency.
• Finally, prepare and practice an escape plan so everyone can get out of a home safely should there be a fire. Plan to meet in a place a safe distance from the fire in a spot easily spotted by first responders.
For more clock changing, fire safety tips, click here.
Tags: Albemarle, electronics fire safety, fire prevention, fire safety, fire safety checklist, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips, smoke detectors
Posted in Fire & Smoke Alarms, Fire Safety & Electronics, Fire Safety Devices, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips, Get Involved
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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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September 29th, 2011
Maryland and Nevada recently updated their school bus fire safety standards, so why is the rest of the nation still relying on regulations from the 1960’s to protect their children? Well, CFFSI is hoping to change that, state by state, in the fall session.
With more than 1.5 Million children riding school buses in the US each day, it is shocking that national fire safety standards have not kept pace with the evolution of modern technology. Maryland and Nevada recognized the need to protect big yellows from the dangers of fast spreading flames and codified standards to set a maximum burn rate for the seats and engine components.
For more information view:
Citizens for Fire Safety
Nevada and Maryland Drive School Bus Fire Safety for our Kids with New Law
Tags: burn awareness week, fire escape plan, fire extinguisher, fire preparedness, fire prevention, fire safety, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety for All, school bus fire safety
Posted in Children & Fire Safety, Fire & Smoke Alarms, Fire Saefty Awards, Fire Safety & Electronics, Fire Safety Conferences & Events, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips, Get Involved, Uncategorized
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August 17th, 2011
Fire Related Accident Facts
How Many People Die in US Home Fires? One life Lost is too Many.
In 2009, U.S. fire departments responded to 362,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 12,650 civilian injuries, 2,565 civilian deaths, $7.6 billion in direct damage.
- 92% of all civilian structure fire deaths resulted from home structure fires.
- Cooking is the leading cause of home structure fires and home fire injuries.
- Kitchens are the leading area of origin for home structure fires (37%) and civilian home fire injuries (36%).
- Only 4% of home fires started in the living room, family room, or den; these fires caused 24% of home fire deaths.
- 8% of reported home fires started in the bedroom. These fires caused 25% of home fire deaths, 21% of home fire injuries, and 14% of the direct property damage.
- Smoking is a leading cause of civilian home fire deaths.
- Home structure fires peak around dinner hours between 5:00 and 8:00 pm.
- Almost two-thirds (62%) of reported home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
- Most fatal fires kill one or two people. In 2009, 9 home fires killed five or more people. These 9 fires resulted in 59 deaths.
Fires between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. caused half of home fire deaths. Sundays were the peak day for reported home fires and home fire injuries while fatal home fire injuries were more likely to occur on Saturday.
What are you doing to prevent home fire fatalities?
For more information on home fire safety, view:
8 Questions to Ensure Fire Safety for You and Your Family
Home Fire Sources at its Worst
Tags: Albemarle, cooking fire safety tips, electronics fire safety, fire escape plan, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips, home fire safety
Posted in Children & Fire Safety, Fire & Smoke Alarms, Fire Safety & Electronics, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips, Get Involved
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August 11th, 2011
Essential oils, which are easily combustible, are increasingly used in aromatherapy and other complementary treatments. The issue of these combustible oils came to light when a beauty therapy room at Swindon College was badly damaged in April after a blaze broke out in a pile of towels.
Fires in tumble dryers, linen baskets and airing cupboards where towels had oil on them have caught fire and fire officers are concerned that incidents in launderettes, salons and homes could have the same cause.
The problem seems to arise when the wash cycle has been set to a cool temperature. When the wash has been at 100 degrees or above, the oil residue is more likely to be safely broken down by the washing detergents.
For more on fire safety at colleges and workplaces, view:
U.S Senate Makes September Campus Fire Safety Month
Fire Safety Tips for Your Workplace
Tags: Albemarle, Burn Institute, cooking fire safety tips, electronics fire safety, essential oils, fire escape plan, fire prevention, fire safety, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips
Posted in Burns, Fire & Smoke Alarms, Fire Saefty Awards, Fire Safety & Electronics, Fire Safety Conferences & Events, Fire Safety Devices, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips, Get Involved
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August 11th, 2011
The United States Senate passed Senate Resolution 104, which marks September as Campus Fire Safety Month. This has helped dramatically in raising the awareness of the importance of campus fire safety on campuses, encourages administrators of institutions of higher education and municipalities across the country to provide educational programs to all students, evaluate the level of fire safety being provided in both on- and off-campus student housing and to ensure fire-safe living environments through fire safety education, installation of fire suppression and detection systems, and the development and enforcement of applicable codes relating to fire safety.
Since January 2000, at least 143 people, including students, parents, and children have died in campus-related fires; 85 percent of those deaths occurred in off-campus residences, whereas a majority of college students in the United States live in off-campus residences.
“During National Campus Fire Safety Month, schools across the country will hold events to raise awareness in campus communities about how to prevent and respond to fires,” said Senator Lautenberg (NJ) in a statement. “We need to take every step possible to keep our students safe so they can focus on their education.”
Are you going to participate, or know anyone who will raise awareness for fire safety on campuses? Let us know!
For more information on campus fire safety view:
Schools are for Learning, not Burning
Fire Safety Tips for Your Workplace
Tags: Albemarle, campus fire safety, college fire safety, electronic fire safety, fire escape plan, fire prevention, fire safety, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips
Posted in Burns, Fire & Smoke Alarms, Fire Safety & Electronics, Fire Safety Conferences & Events, Fire Safety Devices, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips, Get Involved
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July 1st, 2011
During this holiday weekend, thousands of fireworks will be sold and many will celebrate our country by watching the biggest annual firework display in the US. We would like to remind parents to talk to their children about firework safety – fireworks, just like matches and lighters, are for adults to use only. Even sparklers need to be kept away from children. The NFPA reports that sparklers burn as hot as 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, almost 6x the temperature of boiling water.
This fourth of July, keep your family safe.
For more firework safety tips, check out:
Celebrate this Happy New Year, Without a Deadly Accident
Fireworks, BBQ Grills and 10 Other Common Causes of Burns to Avoid
Tags: Albemarle, burn awareness week, fire escape plan, fire extinguisher, fire prevention, fire safety, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety for All, fire safety for kids, fireworks, july 4th fire safety
Posted in Children & Fire Safety, Fire & Smoke Alarms, Fire Safety Devices, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips, Firework Safety, Get Involved, Scalding water
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July 1st, 2011
Every day, about 500,000 school buses transport more than 25 million students to and from school. The time established to evacuate a burning school bus is two minutes or less. Within three minutes, the bus can be fully engulfed in flames. Fires aboard school buses occur more often than most people realize. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that between 1999 and 2003, there was an average 2,210 school bus fires annually.
The people of Nevada and Maryland should now be proud to uphold the highest of fire safety standards for their children. These laws are a much-needed update to regulations that had not been codified since the 1960’s. On an effort to pass legislation in select states mandating fire safety standards for school buses, only Maryland and Nevada have so far passed the bill and have been signed into law by their respective Governors.
The new law in Nevada requires all new school buses to have fire resistant seating and V0 plastic in the engine compartment. Senate Bill 318 establishes provisions governing permissible flammability of certain components in school buses used or purchased on or after January 1, 2014. Senator David R. Parks (Clark County Senatorial District No. 7) suggested this amendment making the bill effective only for newly acquired buses. This act becomes effective on July 1, 2011. For more information and specific details regarding this bill, click here.
In Maryland, Senate Bill 369 requires a school bus to be constructed of materials that meet the criteria of the school bus seat upholstery fire block test established by the National School Transportation specifications and procedures adopted at the most recent National Congress on School Transportation. The bill, sponsored by Senator Conway, specifies that it applies to school buses procured for use in Maryland on or after January 1, 2014. This will be effective starting October 1, 2011. To read more about this Senate Bill, click here.
For more information about fire safety in school environments, check out:
Schools are for Learning, no Burning .
Tags: bus fire safety, fire escape plan, fire prevention, fire safety, fire safety checklist, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety for All, fire safety for kids, school bus fire safety, school safety
Posted in Burns, Children & Fire Safety, Fire & Smoke Alarms, Fire Safety & Electronics, Fire Safety Devices, Fire Safety Tips
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June 12th, 2011
How much do you know about fire safety? Grab your family and find out together. This fun quiz will help you understand where the fire dangers are in your home, and what you can do to help your family turn your house into a fire smart home.
First, cover the bottom answers,and then write down your answer and compare.
- Kids can cook alone without asking permission? T or F
- Fire is loud, hot and smoky? T or F
- When escaping a fire, crawl on the floor under the smoke? T or F
- Never go back inside a burning building. T or F
- If your clothing catches fire, stop, drop and roll. T or F
- Smoke alarms tell you about fires you may not see. T or F
- Take your time when escaping a fire. T or F
- Always call the Fire Department from home. T or F
Answer Sheet
- False – Always get your parent’s permission before doing anything in the kitchen.
- True – The temperature of fire is over 1,200 degrees and produces a lot of smoke.
- True – Crawl as low as possible to the floor to escape the smoke.
- True – Get out and stay out. Never go back into a burning building.
- True – Remember to stop, drop and roll to prevent skin burns.
- True – Smoke alarms can detect fires long before you can.
- False – Get out of your house as fast as you can.
- False – Call the fire department after you are safely out of the house from a neighbor’s home or cell phone.
For more fire safety tips, view:
Sleepover Fire Safety Checklist for Families
When You Are Away, Are Your Children Fire Safe?
Tags: Albemarle, Earthwise, electronic fire safety, electronics fire safety, fire escape plan, fire evacuation plan, fire extinguisher
Posted in Children & Fire Safety, Fire & Smoke Alarms, Fire Saefty Awards, Fire Safety & Electronics, Fire Safety Devices, Fire Safety Education, Uncategorized
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June 10th, 2011
Fire Safety for All would like to encourage families to prevent kitchen fires — usually caused by unattended cooking — by using the following basic safety measures.
1. Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.
2. If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly; make certain someone is paying attention while the food is cooking and use a timer to remind you that food is cooking.
3. Stay alert, which can’t happen if you’re sleepy, have taken medicine or drugs, or consumed alcohol that makes you drowsy.
4. Keep anything that can catch fire — potholders, wooden utensils, food wrappers, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.
5. Make sure long sleeves and scarves are out of the way when cooking.
6. Have a kid-free zone of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
7. Never hold a child while cooking, drinking or carrying hot foods or liquids.
8. Turn the handles of pots and pans on the stove inward to avoid accidents.
9. Keep pets off cooking surfaces and nearby countertops to prevent them from knocking things onto the burner.
10. Test your smoke alarms by pushing the test button. Do not unplug if you’re frying food. Replace batteries if you can’t remember the last time you changed them.
For more information of cooking fire safety, view:
How to Prevent Thanksgiving Cooking Fires
Outdoor Grilling Fire Safety Tips
Tags: Albemarle, burn awareness, burn awareness week, Burn Institute, cooking fire safety tips, fire escape plan, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips, kitchen fires
Posted in Fire & Smoke Alarms, Fire Safety & Electronics, Fire Safety Conferences & Events, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips
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