Michigan school CPR bill could create 100,000 life savers:
http://woodtv.com/2016/03/11/quiz-do-you-know-how-to-save-lives-with-cpr/
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and many families will use candles for celebrations, to light up the area around the dinner table, or just to relax. Even though candles are popular, they are a cause for home fires and home fire deaths.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, an average of 32 home candle fires are reported every day in the United States. Roughly one-third of home candle fires started in the bedroom.
Remember a candle is an open flame, which means that it can easily ignite anything that can burn. It’s essential to blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
Here are some additional candle safety tips:
- Avoid using candles in the bedroom or in other areas where people my fall asleep.
- Think about using flameless candles in your home. They look and smell like real candles.
If you do burn candles, make sure that you…
- Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn. More than half of all candle fires start when things that can burn are too close to the candle.
- Use candle holders that are sturdy and won’t tip over easily.
- Put candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface.
- Light candles carefully. Keep your hair and any loose clothing away from the flame.
- Don’t burn a candle all the way down – put it out before it gets too close to the holder or container.
- Never use a candle if oxygen is being used in the home.
- Never leave a child alone in a room. Keep matches and lighters up high and out of children’s reach, in locked cabinet.
- Secure pets. Some pets are easily attracted to the flickering flame of a candle and might tip it over.
Also remember to have flashlights and battery-powered lighting ready to use during a power outage. Avoid using candles.
Stop candle fires before they start! For more fire safety tips, visit escapetv.org or escapeinc.org.
This morning, Firefighter Michael McLeieer of E.S.C.A.P.E. talks about fire safety and an alarming trend this morning on AM 590 WKZO.
Michigan and Alabama lead the nation in deadly home fires, according to new data from the U.S Fire Administration.
Between Jan. 1 and Feb. 1, 19 Michigan residents lost their lives in house fires. Three of those deaths happened in West Michigan, including a 57-year-old woman who died in a house fire in Wyoming Saturday, a 77-year-old woman who died in a Muskegon house fireon Jan. 11, and a 9-year-old girl killed in a mobile home fire in Emmett Township on Jan. 10.
However, the number of West Michigan home fire deaths is down 40 percent from last year, according to ESCAPE.
Fire departments have recorded at least a dozen instances where West Michigan residents have escaped a burning home because of a smoke alarm installed as part of WOTV 4 Women’s Operation Save A Life campaign.
>>LIST: West Michigan smoke detector installation programs
In 2015, a record 103 people lost their lives in Michigan house fires.
Winter is just beginning and people are at greater risk for home fires during this time of year. In 2015, there were 103 home fire deaths throughout Michigan. A large number of those fatalities occurred in West Michigan. Since January 1, 2016, at least six people have already died in home fires in Michigan.
We have already experienced winter storms that left homes and businesses without electricity, leaving us to find alternative ways to heat our homes. Whenever we use alternative heating methods we increase the risk of having a home fire or exposing ourselves to dangerous carbon monoxide.
Portable Heaters Need Space
Space heaters cause one-third of home heating fires and four out of five home heating fire deaths. Protect your family: if you’re heating your home with a portable heater, fireplace, or woodstove this winter, take a few moments to review these safety tips.
- Keep anything that can burn, such as bedding, clothing and curtains at least three feet away from a fireplace, wood stove, or space heater.
- Make sure the heater has an automatic shut-off, so if it tips over, it shuts off.
- Turn heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.
- Plug portable heaters directly into outlets and never into an extension cord or power strip.
- Only use portable heaters from a recognized testing laboratory.
Carbon Monoxide: The Invisible Killer
On average, more than 150 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning occurring from products and equipment in their home. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is odorless, colorless, and otherwise undetectable to the human senses and people may not know that they are being exposed.
The key to protecting your family is to be aware of the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Learn more about the dangers of carbon monoxide and ways you can remain safe.
- CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards.
- Choose a CO alarm that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
- Test the CO alarm monthly and replace alarms that are over five years old. Newer alarms last as long as ten years.
- If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move everyone to a fresh air location outdoors. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for outside. Call 911 from a safe location once outside.
- During and after a snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow and ice build-up.
- During a power outage, a generator should be used in a well-ventilated location outdoors away from windows, doors, and vent openings.
- Have your heating system serviced regularly by a licensed professional.
- If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not covered with snow.
Free Resources
Operation Save A Life is a partnership between WOTV 4 Women, Kidde Fire Safety, West Michigan fire departments and E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety. The goal of this program is to provide free smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to area fire departments where they will be installed in high risk homes. For more information about Operation Save A Life, contact your local fire department or e-mail [email protected].
E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety reminds you by using common sense and following these simple yet important tips, everyone in your home will keep warm and safe this winter season Where You Live!