Fire Safety Tips

According to the National Fire Protection Association, a home fire is reported to a fire department in the United States every 1-1/2 minutes, and someone dies in a home fire every 2-1/2 hours. The American Red Cross responds to more than 68,000 disasters each year, the majority of which are single-family fires.

The Red Cross recommends taking the following preventive measures to help minimize the chance and effects of fire:

• Be careful with candles - Keep candles away from combustible materials. Don't leave children unattended in a room with lit candles. Keep candles, matches and lighters out of the reach of children. Never display lighted candles in windows or near exits.
• Inspect fireplaces and wood stoves - Have your chimney connections and flues inspected by a professional and cleaned if necessary prior to the start of every heating season. Use a sturdy screen when burning fires. Burn only wood-never burn paper, including discarded gift wrap, or pine boughs. Do not hang holiday decorations from or on your fireplace if you plan to use it as a heat source.
• Check smoke detectors - Make sure detectors are working properly and that new batteries are installed.
• Be aware of overuse of electrical outlets - Don't overload your electrical outlets. Be careful of extension cords that present hazardous walkways.
• Have one or more working fire extinguishers in your home - Get training from the fire department in how to use them.
• Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home. Statistics from the National Fire Protection Association show that automated fire sprinkler systems typically reduce chances of dying in a fire and reduce the average property loss by one-half to two-thirds where they are used.

Red Cross Halloween Safety Tips for Kids and Adults

 With witches, goblins, and super-heroes descending on neighborhoods across America, the American Red Cross offers parents some safety tips to help prepare their children for a safe and enjoyable trick-or-treat holiday. Halloween should be filled with surprise and enjoyment, and following some common sense practices can keep events safer and more fun.

• Walk, slither, and sneak on sidewalks, not in the street.
• Look both ways before crossing the street to check for cars, trucks, and low-flying brooms.
• Cross the street only at corners.
• Don't hide or cross the street between parked cars.
• Wear light-colored or reflective-type clothing so you are more visible. (And remember to put reflective tape on bikes, skateboards, and brooms, too!)
• Plan your route and share it with your family. If possible, have an adult go with you.
• Carry a flashlight to light your way.
• Keep away from open fires and candles. (Costumes can be extremely flamable.)
• Visit homes that have the porch light on.
• Accept your treats at the door and never go into a stranger's house.
• Use face paint rather than masks or things that will cover your eyes.
• Be cautious of animals and strangers.
• Have a grown-up inspect your treats before eating. And don't eat candy if the package is already opened. Small, hard pieces of candy are a choking hazard for young children.

For more information, or to register for a health and safety course, call (810) 766-6405.