Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery
Throughout October, we have shared tips to keep your family safe from fire.
On Sunday, November 2, it’s time to change your smoke and carbon monoxide alarm batteries when you change your clock back one hour from Daylight Saving Time.
Families are encouraged to use the extra hour “gained” from the end of daylight saving time to review and practice their home fire safety plan and remind their friends, family and neighbors of the life-saving habit of testing and changing smoke alarm batteries.
Working smoke alarms double the chance of a family surviving a home fire and/or an unsafe carbon monoxide level.
Remember, when the smoke or carbon monoxide alarm sound, Get Out and Stay Out and then call 911 from the designated meeting place.
Sometimes saving a life can be that simple – Change Your Clock Change Your Battery® Where You Live!
11th Annual Family Fire Safety Day – 10/25/2014
PORTAGE, MI – October 25, 2014 – E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire & Safety, WOOD TV 8, WOTV 4, AM 590 WKZO, 106.5 WVFM and WNWN 98.5 FM invited families to learn how to be fire safe today at the 11th Annual Family Fire Safety Day from 10am – 2pm at Lowe’s in Portage.
The day included a variety of activities. For starters, there were free 9-volt and AA battery and smoke alarm give-a-ways (while they lasted). Plus, children and families had the chance to meet WVFM’s Ken Lanphear and WOOD TV’s Bill Steffen as well as Jake The Fire Safety Dog from E.S.C.A.P.E.
Jake guided families as they crawled under the smoke inside the E.S.C.A.P.E. fire safety demonstration trailer and went outside to the designated meeting place.
In addition, a Life EMS Ambulance was on location and paramedics distributed safety information and a Portage fire engine was also available for a tour that offered the opportunity to ask the crew about their equipment.
Jake the Fire Safety Dog invited his friend, Dr. Seely Rotigel, to join us this year. She promoted health and safety for Jake and his four legged friends.
Coffee Rescue was on location serving refreshments again this year.
There was even a Halloween costume contest for kids with prizes at 11am.
Adults even had the opportunity to enter to win free fire safety items.
“2013 ended with the worst civilian fire fatality rate not seen since 1999 throughout Michigan,” said Firefighter Michael McLeieer, President and Founder of E.S.C.A.P.E. “Most of the fatalities, especially those here in West Michigan occurred in homes without working smoke alarms. It’s through events like the Family Fire Safety Day that we can connect the community and first responders together to educate and empower families to plan, prepare and practice fire safety all throughout the year,” said McLeieer.
E.S.C.A.P.E. would like to thank our generous sponsors and supporters of this annual event:
- Lowe’s in Portage
- WOOD TV 8
- WOTV 4
- Maranda
- WKZO AM 590
- WVFM 106.5
- WNWN 98.5
- Liberty Mutual Insurance
- Craig’s Cruisers
- SAFE Kids – Kalamazoo County
- Papa Johns – South Westnedge (Portage)
- Life EMS
- Portage Department of Public Safety – Fire Division
- The Visiting Vet
- EDub Designs
- Coffee Rescue
- Ridge NAPA
- Post Community Credit Union
- Roger and Joy Kamphius
The E.S.C.A.P.E. Mobile Training Center Fire & Safety Trailer
Our five bugle premier media sponsors
The 2014 E.S.C.A.P.E. Mobile Training Center five bugle sponsors.
To view the photo album from the 11th Annual Family Fire Safety Day, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.881251331885780.1073741868.126934187317502&type=1
For more information about E.S.C.A.P.E. and other fire safety tips, visit http://www.escapeinc.org or http://www.jakethefiredog.org.
Halloween can be fun when you stay safe!
Halloween is coming soon. Our friend Maranda from WOTV4Women offers these tips to make your night safe, fun and enjoyable.
Flame Resistant Costumes
Look for flame-resistant costumes. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends costumes made out of synthetic materials like nylon or polyester, which are less flammable than other materials.
Make sure you glow!
Make sure the Trick-or-Treaters have a flashlight. Add reflective tape to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags. Have everyone wear light-colored clothing in order to be seen.
Face Paint Fright
Instead of masks, which can cover the eyes and make it hard to see, consider using face paint.
Trick-or-Treating Route
Plan the Trick-or-Treat route and make sure adults know where children are going. A parent or responsible adult should accompany young children along the planned route.
Get the Pumpkin Glow
Use a glow stick instead of a candle in the Jack-O-Lantern to avoid a fire hazard.
Sidewalk Safety
Walk only on the sidewalks, not in the street. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the edge of the roadway, facing traffic. Look both ways before crossing the street and cross only at the corner. Don’t cut across yards or use alleys. Don’t cross between parked cars.
Bright Front Porch
If someone is welcoming Trick-or-Treaters at their home, they should make sure the outdoor light is on. Accept treats at the door – never go inside.
Safe Walking Zone
Sweep leaves from the sidewalks and steps. Make sure you clear the porch or front yard of any obstacles that a child could trip over.
Animal Safety
Restrain any household pets. Be cautious around neighbor’s pets and any other animals, no matter how cute they may be!
October is Fire Safety Month, and Jake the Safety Dog and E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety want to make sure your family is safe with these fire safety tips:
- Make sure you have a working smoke alarm
- Test your alarm monthly
- Change batteries yearly
- Replace alarm every ten years
- Have a smoke alarm in each bedroom and on each floor
- Don’t put an alarm in the kitchen to reduce false alarms
- Call your local fire department’s non-emergency line with questions or concerns
- Review home escape plans
- Have at least two exits that are easily accessible
- Have a meeting place for the family
It’s family business at Spencer Manufacturing in South Haven. Our friend Maranda from WOTV 4 Women visited the family-owned company, which has been building custom fire trucks since 1986.
Spencer creates each fire truck based on what a fire department needs. Each truck takes about three months to complete and is made in three steps: building the body, painting, and checking the plumbing and electrical. The staff at Spencer have to follow strict guidelines in building the fire trucks. Each truck can cost anywhere between $100,000 and $1 million.