Listen to the live interview from 8:50 a.m. with E.S.C.A.P.E.‘s President and founder Firefighter Michael McLeieer on 04/21/2020 on WKZO AM 590 and FM 106.9
/During the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), people are doing what they can to disinfect and keep their homes clean. With a limited supply of particular cleaning products in many communities, people have often concocted their own cleaning solutions and unknowingly have created serious health risks.
With much of the country working from home, this is a good time for you and your family to understand the dangers of mixing household chemicals.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people should routinely clean frequently touched surfaces, such as tables, doorknobs and faucets.
However, with any cleaning product, remember to always follow the instructions on the label and ensure safe storage which includes keeping the product in its intended container and never place combustible products near a heat source.
Be aware and avoid these deadly combinations:
Bleach + vinegar = chlorine gas. Chlorine gas attacks the mucous membranes and can lead to coughing, breathing problems, and painful burning and watery eyes. Chlorine gas and water also combine to make hydrochloric and hypochlorous acids which lead to irritation of the nose and throat and respiratory system.
Bleach + ammonia = chloramine. This can cause shortness of breath and chest pain.
Bleach + rubbing alcohol = chloroform. This is highly toxic. Exposure may lead to dizziness, nausea, loss of consciousness and even death.
Hydrogen peroxide + vinegar = peracetic/peroxyacetic acid. This can be highly corrosive.
For more ways to keep your family safe from household chemicals, check out the safety tips sheet below from the United States Fire Administration.
E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety reminds you to stay safe when you stay at home Where You Live!
Here is a link to the live interview at 9:40 am on WKZO AM 590 and FM 106.9 radio.
The COVID-19 Pandemic has and is creating new procedures for community First Responders.
In a statement from Fire Chief Dave Glotzbach, president of the Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs and firefighter Michael McLeieer, president of the Michigan State Firemen’s Association, both say they continue to learn and adjust response procedures in their efforts to protect both citizens and personnel.
The two say they will continue monitoring the situation and make best practice adjustments as they move through this extended duration event.
These changes have many people asking what they should expect when they call 911 asking for assistance or reporting a medical emergency.
First responders say if you do experience the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 such as a dry cough, fever or shortness of breath, please contact your primary care physician and follow their instructions.
If you don’t have a primary care physician or you must call 911, please be accurate and honest so emergency responders can best take care of you, your family and your community.
The Delta Township Fire Department in Eaton County produced a video describing what to expect when you call 911 and how you can help your community.
The Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs and Michigan State Firemen’s Association applaud Michiganders for the great job of staying home and helping to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. Please continue these efforts so we can focus on the health and safety of our communities.
The two organizations remind people to “Stay Home. Stay Safe. Save Lives”.
Sometimes it’s good for fire safety educators to be reminded that their efforts make a difference!
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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!
E.S.C.A.P.E. President and Founder Lt. Michael McLeieer joins Ken Lanphear in studio on WKZO AM 590 and FM 106.9 to share some tips to keep everyone safe from fire during the Thanksgiving holiday.
