Each year more than 2,500 people die and 12,600 are injured in home fires in the United States, with direct property loss due to home fires estimated at $7.3 billion annually.  Home fires can be prevented!  Grilling on a balcony can be one of the most common causes of apartment fires.  Many apartment management companies have written in your rental lease that grilling on a balcony is prohibited.  NEVER leave a grill while it is in operation and NEVER leave any type of fire unattended!

Before a Fire

CREATE AND PRACTICE A FIRE ESCAPE PLAN

In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts, so you and your family must always be prepared. Escape plans help you get out of your home quickly.

Twice each year, practice your home fire escape plan.  Some tips to consider when preparing this plan include:

• Find two ways to get out of each room.
• If the primary way is blocked by fire or smoke, you will need a second way out. A secondary route might be a window onto a neighboring roof or a collapsible ladder for escape from upper story windows.
• Only purchase collapsible ladders evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL).
• Make sure that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly, and that security bars can be properly opened.
• Practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or with your eyes closed.
• Windows and doors with security bars must have quick release devices to allow them to be opened immediately in an emergency. Make sure everyone in the family understands and practices how to properly operate and open locked or barred doors and windows.
• Teach children not to hide from firefighters.

Smoke Alarms

A properly installed and maintained smoke alarm is the only thing in your home that can alert you and your family to a fire 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire.

• Install both ionization AND photoelectric smoke alarms, OR dual sensor smoke alarms, which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors
• Test batteries monthly.
• Replace batteries in battery-powered and hard-wired smoke alarms at least once a year (except non-replaceable 10-year lithium batteries)
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends installing smoke alarms both inside and outside of sleeping areas.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions when installing smoke alarms.
• Replace the entire smoke alarm unit every 8-10 years or according to manufacturer’s instructions.
• Never disable a smoke alarm while cooking – it can be a deadly mistake. Open a window or door and press the “hush” button, wave a towel at the alarm to clear the air, or move the entire alarm several feet away from the location.

Smoke Alarm Safety People with Access or Functional Need

• Caregivers are encouraged to check the smoke alarms of those who are unable to do it themselves.
• Audible alarms for visually impaired people should pause with a small window of silence between each successive cycle so that they can listen to instructions or voices of others.
• Smoke alarms with a vibrating pad or flashing light are available for the hearing impaired. Contact your local fire department for information about obtaining a flashing or vibrating smoke alarm.
• Smoke alarms with a strobe light outside the home to catch the attention of neighbors, and emergency call systems for summoning help, are also available.

More Fire Safety Tips

• Sleep with your door closed.
• Only those trained in the proper use and maintenance of fire extinguishers should consider using them when appropriate.  Contact your local fire department for information on training in your area and what kind to buy for your home.
• Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your residence.
• Ask your local fire department to inspect your residence for fire safety and prevention.

During a Fire

• Crawl low under any smoke to your exit - heavy smoke and poisonous gases collect first along the ceiling.
• When the smoke alarm sounds, get out fast. You may have only seconds to escape safely.
• If there is smoke blocking your door or first way out, use your second way out.
• Smoke is toxic. If you must escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your way out.
• Before opening a door, feel the doorknob and door. If either is hot, leave the door closed and use your second way out.
• If there is smoke coming around the door, leave the door closed and use your second way out.
• If you open a door, open it slowly. Be ready to shut it quickly if heavy smoke or fire is present.
• If you can’t get to someone needing assistance, leave the home and call 9-1-1 or the fire department. Tell the emergency operator where the person is located.
• If pets are trapped inside your home, tell firefighters right away.
• If you can’t get out, close the door and cover vents and cracks around doors with cloth or tape to keep smoke out.  Call 9-1-1 or your fire department. Say where you are and signal for help at the window with a light-colored cloth or a flashlight.
• If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, and roll – stop immediately, drop to the ground, and cover your face with your hands.  Roll over and over or back and forth until the fire is out.  If you or someone else cannot stop, drop, and roll, smother the flames with a blanket or towel.  Use cool water to treat the burn immediately for 3 to 5 minutes.  Cover with a clean, dry cloth.  Get medical help right away by calling 9-1-1 or the fire department.

Escaping the Fire

• Make sure windows are not nailed or painted shut. Make sure security gratings on windows have a fire safety opening feature so they can be easily opened from the inside.
• Consider escape ladders if your residence has more than one level, and ensure that burglar bars and other antitheft mechanisms that block outside window entry are easily opened from the inside.
• Teach family members to stay low to the floor (where the air is safer in a fire) when escaping from a fire.
• Clean out storage areas. Do not let trash such as old newspapers and magazines accumulate.

Fire Escape Planning for Older Adults and People Access or Functional Needs

• Live near an exit. You'll be safest on the ground floor if you live in an apartment building. If you live in a multi-story home, arrange to sleep on the ground floor, and near an exit.
• If you use a walker or wheelchair, check all exits to be sure you get through the doorways.
• Make any necessary accommodations, such as providing exit ramps and widening doorways, to facilitate an emergency escape.
• Speak to your family members, building manager, or neighbors about your fire safety plan and practice it with them.
• Contact your local fire department's non-emergency line and explain your special needs. Ask emergency providers to keep your special needs information on file.
• Keep a phone near your bed and be ready to call 911 or your local emergency number if a fire occurs.

LAWN MOWERS, EDGERS, AND MORE: SAFETY TIPS

Ever heard the saying "Be careful what you wish for?" Well, we wished for it and now we have it, that part of the season that is warm and as comfortable as we allow it to get.  The off-set is that our yard and everything that grows loves it too.  I just finished mowing my yard and I had forgotten how long it took and the unseen holes, rocks, tree limbs and anything else that can fall from the sky, to run over.

With that said I went to several sites looking for a combination of safety tips that I could learn from and also pass on:

·        Wear sturdy shoes while mowing.

·        Prevent injuries from flying objects, such as stones or toys, by picking up objects from the lawn before mowing begins. (Remember the riding lawn mower is not a chipper and will throw large objects, especially tree limbs quite a distance, but that is another story.)

·        While the lawn is being mowed, keep others away to ensure their safety.

·        Do not allow children to operate lawn mowers. A good rule: If you're not comfortable with them driving your automobile, you should not allow them to operate a lawn mower - whether it's a walk-behind or riding mower.

Walk-Behind Lawn Mowers

·        Mow across a hill (not up and down) to avoid falls. Do not mow on a steep hill.

·        Keep the mower flat on the ground. Never lift the mower.

·        Shut off engine when adjusting mower height.

·        If you hit something, stop the mower and turn it off. See if the mower is damaged before starting the machine.

Standard Safety Feature: Operator Presence Control (OPC) ensures that the blade comes to a complete stop within three seconds after the blade control is released.

Help The Environment: Mowers equipped with a mulching feature will finely cut and re-cut grass clippings and return them to the turf. These clippings provide moisture and nutrients to keep your yard greener and healthier, and

  

Riding Mowers

Riding mowers are one-person machines. Never carry passengers or tow children in carts or trailers while mowing. (Remember that country song about drinking and driving a riding lawn mower, not a good idea. You could end up with a DUI on your record if you are on a public street and I can just imagine the looks when you tell that story! I have been in court, prosecuting another case, when I saw a man plead guilty to DUI on a lawn mower.)

·        Always start the machine from the operator's seat.

·        Mow up and down on slopes over 5 degrees - never across.

·        Go slowly on hills and around corners to prevent tipping.

·        Never operate a riding mower on slopes over 15 degrees.

·        Always look down and behind for people and objects before, and while, backing up.

·        Do not allow a child to operate a riding mower (see above).

·        Watch for holes, ditches and embankments.

Standard Safety Feature: Operator Presence Control (OPC) automatically stops the engine and powered attachments when the operator leaves the seat

Leaf Blowers Hand-Held And Backpack:

·        Never point the blower nozzle at people or pets.

·        Follow local ordinances about when to use a leaf blower. Do not use very early in the morning or very late in the day.

·        Use the lowest possible throttle speed.

Chain Saws
2-Cycle And Low Emission 4-Cycle

 (There is no mixing of oil and gas on a 4 cycle):

·        Make sure the saw chain is not touching anything before starting the engine and the chain is tightened to manufacturer's specifications.

·        Check to see if the bar chain oil reserve is full.

·        Do not operate a chain saw with one hand! You need to use two hands.

·        Shut off the engine before setting the chain saw down.

  

Edger / Trimmers
Wheeled And Walk Behind:

·        Keep hands and feet away from rotating parts while engine is running.

·        Stop the engine when crossing gravel or any place where thrown objects might be a hazard.

·        Do not over speed the engine.

·        If you hit an object, stop the engine immediately. Turn it off and check for damage. Repair anything before restarting.

Garden Tillers Front-Tine And Rear Tine:

·        If you hit an object, stop the tiller immediately. Turn it off and check for damage. Repair anything before starting up.

·        Keep hands and feet away from rotating parts while engine is running.

·        Stop the engine when crossing gravel or any place where thrown objects might be a hazard.

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