Leave fireworks to the professionals Safety, , ,
29
Jun 2015

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Fireworks during the Fourth of July are as American as apple-pie, but did you know that 2 out of 5 fires reported on that day are started by fireworks, more than for any other cause? According to the United States Fire Administration, fireworks cause approximately 15,000 injuries including burns and eye injuries each year.

FireworksSafety

The good news is you can enjoy your holiday and the fireworks by following a few simple safety tips:

Proceed with caution!

 

  • Be safe. If you want to see fireworks, go to a public show put on by trained experts.

 

  • Parents and caregivers should always closely supervise children at events where fireworks are used.

 

  • Sparklers burn at more than 1,200 °F and cause 3rd degree burns in seconds.

 

  • Place discarded sparker wires in a metal bucket filled with water.

 

  • 16% of fireworks injuries each year throughout the United States are caused by sparklers.

 

  • After the firework display, children should never pick up fireworks that may be left over since they may still be active.

 

  • Leave pets at home and keep them inside during firework displays. Loud noises can scare them or hurt their hearing.

 

Here is a video showing the dangers of consumer grade fireworks:

For more information on fireworks safety, visit www.nfpa.org/fireworks.

E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety urges Michiganders to follow common sense safety rules this Fourth of July during holiday celebrations!

 

 

Maranda Park Parties kick off in Wyoming Maranda, Park Party, Safety, , ,
17
Jun 2015

One of the biggest free parties in West Michigan returns for another summer on Thursday, June 25! Maranda is kicking off her 21st season of Maranda Park Parties at Lamar Park in Wyoming. Each Maranda Park Party is held from noon until 2 p.m. Everyone is invited and everything is free!

"We love Park Parties" sign at Wyoming Park Party, Lamar Park
“We love Park Parties” sign at Wyoming Park Party, Lamar Park – June 26, 2014

The Wyoming Park Party is bigger and better than ever with two brand new activities: a giant obstacle course and a Ferris wheel!  Lamar Park will be filled with more than 50 different vendors providing a variety of free services, information, and activities.

Kids can rock out with a house band or get a free haircut for summer provided by Grand Rapids First Church! E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety is celebrating 20 years of keeping kids safe with a new bounce house where families can come meet Jake the Fire Safety Dog. Also in Wyoming, the first 80 families who donate a bag of new or gently used items to the Bethany’s Thrift Store will receive an Entertainment Book.

Once again in working with USDA, Michigan Department of Education and local school districts, free lunch will be served to anyone 18 and under starting at 11:30 a.m., while supplies last. Every Park Party also includes free activities, games, entertainment and, of course, prizes!

This year Maranda and the Park Party team will be traveling to five communities bringing a supersized celebration to all.

  • June 25 – Lamar Park, Wyoming
  • July 9 – Berlin Raceway, Marne
  • July 16 – Kollen Park, Holland
  • July 23 – Smith Ryerson Park, Muskegon
  • July 30 – Northwestern Middle School, Battle Creek

 

Operation Save A Life: Keeping West Michigan families safe Operation Save A Life, Safety, , , ,
09
Jun 2015

Recent statistics show the number of fire-related deaths are on the rise in Michigan. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, from Jan. 1 to June 2, 2015 the number of fire deaths were up 25-percent from 2014. A total of 61 people died in fires across the state. Twenty-three of those deaths were in West Michigan which is a 48-percent increase over this same time last year.

Operation Save A Life is working to save lives by providing free smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to fire departments in West Michigan where they will be installed in high risk homes by trained firefighters.

“We’re finding the majority of fire fatalities are occurring in homes that don’t have working smoke alarms,” said Michael McLeieer, program coordinator for Operation Save A Life.” We want to make sure that families have working smoke alarms.”

“Electrical fires seem to be one of the major issues behind this. Unsafe use of extension cords, things of that nature. Be attentive to anything you’re doing with the stove,” said Fire Marshall Ted Karnitz of the Norton Shores Fire Department.

Nearly 3,000 smoke alarms have been installed throughout Muskegon County since Jan. 1.

There will also be a big push for fire safety education at all five Maranda Park Parties this summer.

For a complete list of West Michigan smoke alarm installation programs, click here. If your community is not listed or you have questions about smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, or home fire safety, send an email to escape@wotv4women.com.