Be Fire Safe This Holiday Season on WKZO Safety, WKZO
29
Nov 2019

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When most people think about the holidays, family festivals and good cheer with friends likely come to mind. What few of us consider is that the holidays also present an increased risk of home fires. Home fires during the holiday season often involve cooking, candles, Christmas trees, holiday decorations and space heaters. By taking some preventative steps, using common sense and following some simple rules, most home fires can be prevented during the holidays and beyond.

Cooking

  • Unattended cooking is the leading cause of U.S. home fires and home fire injuries, with most cooking fires involving the stovetop.
  • Stay in the kitchen while you’re frying, grilling or broiling food. Keep anything that can catch fire away from the stovetop, and turn it off when you leave the kitchen, even if it’s for a short period of time.
  • If you’re simmering, boiling, baking or roasting food, check it regularly and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.
  • Create a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food and drinks are prepared or carried.
  • If you have a cooking fire, just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. Call 911 or the local emergency number immediately after you leave.
  • If you do try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and that you have access to an exit.
  • Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Slide the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled. For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
  • Candles are widely used in homes throughout the holidays; December is the peak month for home candle fires.

Candles

  • More than half of all candle fires start because the candles had been too close to things that could catch fire.
  • When burning candles, keep them at least 12” away from anything that can burn (create a 1-foot circle of safety), and remember to blow them out when you leave the room or go to bed.
  • Use candle holders that are sturdy, won’t tip over and are placed on uncluttered surfaces. Avoid using candles in the bedroom, where two of five U.S. candle fires begin, or other areas where people may fall asleep.
  • Never leave a child or pets alone in a room with a burning candle.
  • Consider using flameless candles, which look and smell like real candles.
  • U.S. fire departments annually respond to an average of 250 structure fires caused by Christmas trees. Nearly half of them are caused by electrical problems, and one in four resulted from a heat source that’s too close to the tree.

Christmas Trees

      • If you have an artificial tree, be sure it’s labeled, certified or identified by the manufacturer as fire-retardant. If you choose a fresh tree, make sure the green needles don’t fall off when touched; before placing it in the stand, cut 1-2” from the base of the trunk. Add water to the tree stand, and be sure to water it daily.
      • Make sure your tree is not blocking an exit, and is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, space heaters, radiators, candles and heat vents or lights.
      • Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory, and make sure you know whether they are designed for indoor or outdoor use. Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords, or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini-string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.
      • Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
      • Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving the home or going to bed.
      • After Christmas, get rid of the tree. Dried-out trees are a fire hazard and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside the home.
      • Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.

Space Heaters

      • Half of all home heating fires occur during the months of December, January and February.
      • Keep anything that can burn at least 3-feet from all heat sources including space heaters, fireplaces, wood stoves and radiators.
      • Turn off space heaters when you leave the room or go to bed.
      • Space heaters, stoves and ovens are not designed as primary heating appliances.
      • Always plug a space heater directly into a wall outlet.  Never use an extension cord or power strip.
      • Select a space heater that has the label of a nationally recognized testing laboratory (e.g. U.L) and select a space heater that turns off automatically if it tips over.
      • If you or someone you know is having difficulty paying a heating bill during the months of November through March, contact your local utility or call 2-1-1 to determine eligibility for a Winter Protection Plan or financial assistance and avoid a service shut-off.

E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety reminds you by following these simple yet important safety tips, everyone in your family will have a “fire-safe” holiday season.  Remember to have fun as you Deck the Halls, but don’t burn them down!

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Thanksgiving safety tips for your family Safety, WOTV 4
21
Nov 2019

11-2019 Thanksgiving delicious-thanksgiving-meal_WOTV

The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially at Thanksgiving.  From testing family recipes to decorating cakes and cookies, everyone enjoys being part of the preparations.  Kids especially love to be involved in holiday preparations.  However, safety in the kitchen is important, especially on Thanksgiving Day when there is a lot of activity and people at home.

According to the United States Fire Administration, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires and frying food increases the risk.  The average number of reported home fires in the United States on Thanksgiving Day is more than double the average number of home fires on all other days.  According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings occurred most frequently from noon to 3 p.m., when many people most likely were preparing Thanksgiving dinner.  These fires then declined throughout the evening.

As you start preparing your holiday schedule and organizing that large family feast, remember to play it safe!  E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety offers a few simple tips so you can enjoy time with your loved ones and keep yourself and your family safer from fire.

Turkey:

If you are roasting your turkey, make sure you set a timer.  This way, you won’t forget about the bird as you watch the parade or football game.

Deep frying a turkey may be delicious but it also can be dangerous.  If you are frying your turkey,

  • Use a fryer with thermostat controls.  This will ensure the oil does not become over heated.
  • Thaw your turkey completely.  Ice on the bird will cause the oil to splatter.
  • Don’t overfill the pot with oil.  If you do, the oil will overflow when you add the turkey causing a fire hazard.
  • Keep children and pets at least 3-feet away from the fryer to protect against burn injuries.
  • Also, always use the fryer outdoors on a sturdy, level surface away from things that can burn.

Stuffing and Potatoes:

Stand by your stove when you are boiling your potatoes or frying onions for the stuffing.  It’s best to stay in the kitchen when you are frying, boiling or broiling.  If you are in the kitchen, it’s easier to catch spills or hazardous conditions before they become a fire.

Vegetables:

  • Keep the area around the stove clear of packaging, paper towels, and dish cloths; anything that can burn.
  • Be sure to clean up any spills as they happen.
  • Be prepared!  Keep a large pan lid or baking sheet handy in case you need to smother a pan fire.
  • Turn pot handles towards the back of the stove so you don’t bump them.

By following these safety tips, you will have a delicious and fire safe Thanksgiving Where You Live!  Remember to let the firefighters have dinner with their families, not yours.

 

The ABCs of using a fire extinguisher Safety, WKZO
13
Nov 2019

These 3 common types of fire extinguishers (ABC) are often found in homes and businesses. Most home improvement stores carry multipurpose fire extinguishers that cover Class A through Class C.

extinguisher-a.100x100For use with ordinary materials like cloth, wood and paper.

extinguisher-b.100x98  For use with combustible and fammable liquids like grease, gasoline, oil and oil-based paints.

extinguisher-c.100x102  For use with electrical equipment like appliances, tools, or other equipment that is plugged in.

Listen to this morning’s interview on the Morning Show when Ken Lanphear interviews Lt. Michael McLeieer, founder and President of E.S.C.A.P.E. in studio on WKZO AM 590 and FM 106.9.

Help people decide when to use a fire extinguisher

Fire extinguishers can be helpful on a small fire. Consider providing a checklist to help people prepare to use a fire extinguisher on a potential fire.

For example:

  • Have I alerted others in the building that there’s a fire?
  • Has someone called the fire department?
  • Am I physically able to use a fire extinguisher?
  • Is the fire small and contained in a single object (like a pan or a wastebasket)?
  • Am I safe from the fire’s toxic smoke?
  • Do I have a clear escape route?

Use a fire extinguisher when all of these questions are answered “yes.” If you’re unsure about whether or not it’s safe to use a fire extinguisher, and for all other situations, alert others, leave the building, and call 911 from a mobile or neighbor’s phone. It is not recommended that children use fire extinguishers.

Teach people how to use a fire extinguisher

When operating a fire extinguisher, tell residents to remember the word PASS:

  • Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism.
  • Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
  • Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
  • Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.

Educate on the importance of fire extinguisher maintenance

Remind citizens to check fire extinguishers for:

Easy access in an emergency
Be sure nothing is blocking or limiting your ability to reach it.
The recommended pressure level
Many extinguishers have gauges that show when pressure is too high or too low.
Working parts
Make sure the can, hoses and nozzles aren’t damaged, dented, or rusted.
Cleanliness
Remove any dust, oil, or grease that might be on the outside of the extinguisher.
Guidelines and instructions
Some extinguishers need to be shaken monthly, others need to be pressure tested every few years.
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Increase in Fire Deaths on WKZO Radio Safety, WKZO,
08
Nov 2019

EscapePlan-WKZO-2019

This morning, our President and Founder Michael McLeieer of E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc. spoke with Morning Show Host Ken Lanphear on WKZO AM 590 and FM 106.9 and shared various fire safety tips:

  • Have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms
  • Contact your local fire department or call 1-844-978-4400 if you need alarms
  • Create and practice a home escape plan
  • Keep space heaters at least 3-feet away from combustibles
  • Activate evacuation of all occupants from the fire or smoke-filled building and make sure 911 is notified before using a fire extinguisher

All of these tips will help to prevent home fires, injuries and deaths.

Change Your Clocks, Check Your Alarms Safety, WOTV 4
01
Nov 2019

10-2019 smoke alarm OSAL WOTV faklsdjf

Sunday, November 3rd is the time to move your clocks back one hour to standard time to fall back for Daylight Saving! It’s also a great opportunity to check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and make sure they are working properly.

The National Fire Protection Association reports that 71% of smoke alarms which failed to operate had missing, disconnected or dead batteries, making it important to take this time each year to check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms double the chance of a family surviving a home fire and/or an unsafe carbon monoxide level incident.

Use this checklist to find out if you are taking the right steps to protect your family:

1. Count Your Smoke Alarms – Be sure there is at least one smoke alarm less than 10 years old installed on every level of your home, including one in every bedroom and outside each sleeping area.

2. Change Your Smoke Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Batteries – Fire experts nationwide encourage people to change their smoke and carbon monoxide alarm batteries at least once a year. An easy way to remember to do so is to change the battery when you move the clock back to standard time November 3rd. Alarms which have a sealed, long-life battery should be good for the life of the alarm (10 years), however they should be tested at least monthly to make sure they are functioning properly.

3. Check Your Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Alarms – After inserting a fresh battery in each smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, push the safety test button to make sure the alarms are in proper-working condition. Conduct this test monthly. Never disconnect your smoke alarm battery! Remember that a “chirping” alarm is a signal it needs a fresh battery or has reached the end of its 10-year life and needs to be replaced.

4. Clear Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms – Ensure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms’ sensitivity by cleaning them each month of dust and cobwebs.

5. Replace Your Smoke Alarms – The United States Fire Administration recommends replacing smoke alarms every 10 years and having a combination of both ionization and photo electric smoke alarms to alert you to all types of home fires.

6. Change Your Flashlight Batteries – Keep flashlights with fresh batteries at your bedside for help in finding the way out and signaling for help in the event of a fire.

7. Get the Entire Family Involved – Once smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have fresh batteries installed, you should make sure family members, children in particular, know what the alarms sound like and what to do should they go off…Get Out and Stay Out and then call 911 from a safe meeting place once outside!

8. If you need a free smoke or carbon monoxide alarm, contact your local fire department, email escape@wotv4women.com or call toll free 1-844-978-4400.

Sometimes saving a life can be that simple – Change Your Clocks and Check Your Alarms, Where You Live!