Did you know most house fires happen during the Holidays? One of the biggest causes is your Christmas tree. This video from NBC’s Today Show offers some safety tips to avoid deadly danger.
Michael McLeieer from E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety and Jake The Fire Safety Dog shared Thanksgiving fire safety tips with WVFM‘s morning show host Ken Lanphear on FM 106.5!
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.
Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment. 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 and the United States Fire Administration, 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.
- Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop or cooking your turkey so you can keep an eye on the food and check on it frequently.
- Keep kids away from the stove. Maintain a three-foot kid free zone away from things that are hot and can burn (the stove, oven, microwave, or food).
- Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy, or coffee could cause serious burns.
- Have activities that keep kids out of the kitchen during this busy time. Games, puzzles, or books can keep them busy. Kids can get involved in Thanksgiving preparations with recipes that can be done outside the kitchen.
- Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the oven or stovetop.
- Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pets, pocketbooks, or bags.
- Keep knives, utility lighters, and matches out of the reach of children. Place these tools up high in a locked cabinet.
- Never leave children or pets alone in a room with a lit candle. When you leave the room, extinguish the candle.
- Make sure your smoke alarms are working and are located on every level of your home. Test them by pushing the test button, replace batteries annually and replace alarms every 10 years.
- Never place smoke alarms in the kitchen or immediately outside the bathroom where cooking odors or steam from the shower can cause nuisance activations.
- Keep exits clear and accessible. In case of a fire, everyone in the home needs immediate access to the closest exit leading outside.
If your family needs a new smoke alarm and you are unable to obtain one, contact your local fire department or e-mail [email protected] to learn about the Operation Save A Life smoke alarm installation program close to Where You Live!
Sunday, November 1, is the time to move the clocks one hour back. It’s also a good time every year to change your smoke and carbon monoxide alarm batteries.
The National Fire Protection Association reports 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.
Use this checklist to find out if you are taking the right steps to protect your family:
- 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.
- 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 1st.
- Check Your Smoke Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Alarm – 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.
- Clear Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms – Ensure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms’ sensitivity by cleaning them each month of dust and cobwebs.
- 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 keep you alert to all types of home fires.
- 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.
- Get the Whole 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!
- If you need a free smoke and/or carbon monoxide alarm, contact your local fire department or email WOTV’s Operation Save A Life program at [email protected].
Here is a complete list of West Michigan smoke alarm installation programs.
Sometimes saving a life can be that simple – Change Your Clock Change Your Battery® Where You Live!
E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety Reminds Michigan Residents: Hear the Beep Where You Sleep. Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm!
Location matters when it comes to your smoke alarm. That’s the message behind this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep. Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm!”
Along with firefighters and safety advocates nationwide, E.S.C.A.P.E. is joining forces with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) during Fire Prevention Week, October 4-10, to remind local residents about the importance of having working smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.
“In a fire, seconds count,” said Firefighter Michael McLeieer, President of E.S.C.A.P.E. “Half of home fire deaths result from fires reported at night between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep. Home smoke alarms can alert people to a fire before it spreads, giving everyone enough time to get out.”
According to the latest national research, working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire in half. Meanwhile, three out of five fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign includes the following smoke alarm messages:
- Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
- Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. This way, when one sounds, they all do.
- Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.
- Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or sooner if they don’t respond properly.
- Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarm and understands what to do when they hear it.
- If the smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside. Go to your outside meeting place.
- Call the fire department from outside the home.
West Michigan Fire Department’s will be hosting free events to highlight fire safety during Fire Prevention Week to promote “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep. Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm!” Through these educational, family-oriented activities, residents can learn more about the importance of having a working smoke alarm in every bedroom. A complete listing of area fire safety events may be found here.
To learn more about smoke alarms and “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep. Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm!” visit NFPA’s Web site at www.firepreventionweek.org and www.sparky.org/fpw or www.escapeinc.org.
October is the month when fire departments across the country promote fire prevention education. October 4 through 10 is Fire Prevention Week. This year’s fire prevention theme is “Hear the BEEP where you SLEEP! Every bedroom needs a working smoke alarm.” Michigan has seen a dramatic increase in home fires resulting in injury and death. This listing provides numerous free opportunities for children and families to learn about fire safety, injury prevention and smoke alarm maintenance close to Where You Live. If you have questions about fire prevention and safety or need a smoke alarm, e-mail [email protected].
(Please note: event dates and times may be subject to change. Please check with your local fire department or event coordinator for more details).
Allegan County
Dorr Township Fire Department
5th Annual Dorr Twp. Fire Dept. Pancake Breakfast and Open House
4196 18th Street
Dorr, MI 49323
Saturday October 10, 2015
7:30 am – Noon
- The pancake breakfast is to assist in the funding of the Dorr Township Fire Department Scholarship Fund.
- Activities will include games for the children, silent auction for gift baskets, and tours of the apparatus.
Leighton Township Fire Department
Fire Safety Open House
At Leighton Township Library: 4451-12th Street
Wayland, MI 49348
Monday October 5, 2015
7pm – 8:30pm
- Come out and meet the firefighters, look over the equipment.
- Vanguard Fire Services will be doing a fire extinguisher demonstration/training.
- Trooper Booms and his partner Pido of the Michigan State Police will be doing tracking demonstrations, and Allegan dispatch will have information on 911.
- We will have information on smoke alarms, fire escape plans, home safety plans and other useful information.
- Inflatables and other activities for the kids will be on location.
- Hot dogs and refreshments will be available.
Saugatuck Township Fire District
18th Annual Fire Prevention Open House
3342 Blue Star Highway
Saugatuck, MI 49453
Sunday October 4, 2015
Noon – 3pm
- Bring your family and friends to meet your Firefighters and First Responders.
- Free chicken barbecue and hot dogs, fire truck display and smoke house.
- Climb, play and learn about fire safety.
- Dunk tank with firefighters, bungee run basketball, blood pressure checks, live Jaws of Life demonstration.
- See a car get cut to pieces at 1pm.
- Fire extinguisher training from Noon – 2pm (must be 18 years old to participate).
- Fire extinguisher inspections (Free! Limit 2 per person or 2 per household).
- Live burn fire sprinkler comparison. Two demonstration rooms set ablaze at 2:15 pm.
- Electronic and household recycling – electronics includes anything with a plug or battery. (No large appliances or units containing freon). Household includes cardboard, glass, plastic bottles and pop cans.
- American Red Cross Tent.
- Allegan Co. Sheriff’s Marine Division.
- Michigan State Police/Saugatuck Post.
- Get to know your friends in public safety.
Wayland Fire Department
Fire Prevention Week Open House
160 West Superior Street
Wayland, MI 49348
Wednesday October 7, 2015
6pm – 8pm
Any questions feel free to call 269.792.6300
- Kent County Sheriff Department Deputy Dale Dekorte, K-9 handler and his accelerant sniffing dog Ritzey will be conducting demonstrations.
- Jake The Fire Safety Dog will be giving away prizes!
- Fire prevention and safety handouts.
- Free refreshments and cookies will be provided
Calhoun County
Battle Creek Fire Department
Fire Department Open House
Station #1, 195 East Michigan Avenue
Battle Creek, MI
Saturday October 10, 2015
2pm-4pm
- Come join us for fun at the fire station.
- There will be Station tours, viewing of fire apparatus’ s and an opportunity to meet you local firefighters.
- Enjoy grilled hot dogs, chips, refreshments and watch the kids participate in our raffle drawing contest with lots of prizes.
- You won’t want to miss the Big Prize in store for the last round , it’s an Epic One!
- Full blast will also provide some entertainment as well.
- Put this date in your calendar and we will see you there!
- Call 269-966-3521 for more information.
Eaton County
Bellevue Community Fire Department
Fire Prevention Open House
115 East Jackson Street
Bellevue, MI 49021-1225
Sunday October 11, 2015
4pm – 6pm
- Meet Jake The Fire Safety Dog and visit with your Bellevue Firefighters.
Olivet Fire Department
Halloween Open House
117 East Street
Olivet, MI 49076
Saturday October 31, 2015
6pm – 8pm
- Free cider and donuts, meet your Olivet Firefighters and tour the fire trucks. Meet Firepup and Jake the Fire Safety Dog!
Kalamazoo County
12th Annual Family Fire Safety Day
Lowe’s of Portage
Portage Department of Public Safety – Fire Division
E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety – WOOD TV 8 – WOTV 4
5108 South Westnedge Avenue
Portage, MI 49002
Saturday October 24, 2015
10am – 2pm
www.escapeinc.org
www.jakethefiredog.org
www.wotv4women.com/category/maranda/escape-fire-safety/
- Meet WOOD TV 8’s Bill Steffen and Jake the Fire Safety Dog.
- Free 9-volt batteries and smoke alarms will be available (while supplies last).
- The E.S.C.A.P.E. Smoke Demonstration trailer will teach families how to be safe from fire.
- Tour the Portage Public Safety Fire Engine, Life EMS Ambulance and learn about smoke alarms from Safe Kids of Kalamazoo County.
- Free games and prizes for those who know the correct answers to the safety questions presented throughout the day.
- Halloween costume contest begins at 11am with prizes.
Comstock Township Fire & Rescue
Fire Department Open House
Station #2
5947 East H Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49048
Saturday October 3, 2015
11am – 2pm
- Meet the firefighters, learn about a fire truck, use a thermal imaging camera, visit with Sparky™ and Friends, enjoy refreshments and win door prizes.
Kalamazoo City Department of Public Safety
Open House
Station 4/5
601 North Park Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Saturday October 10, 2015
Noon – 4pm
Kalamazoo Township Fire Department
Station #2 – Eastwood
75 Year Anniversary
2703 East Main Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49048
Saturday October 3, 2015
11am – 3pm
Portage Department of Public Safety
Public Safety Open House
7830 Shaver Road
Portage, MI 49002
Saturday October 10, 2015
10am – 2pm
- We will have crafts and games for the kids.
- We will also have displays of the fire apparatus and equipment and there will be various demonstrations for fire safety.
Richland Township Fire Department
Fire Prevention Week Open House
7401 North 32nd Street
Richland, MI 49083
Saturday October 10, 2015
10am – 1pm
Texas Township Fire Department
Fire Prevention Week Open House
7110 West Q Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Saturday October 3, 2015
10am – 1pm
Kent County
Caledonia Fire Department
Caledonia Public Safety Open House
8192 Broadmoor Avenue
Caledonia, MI 49316
Saturday October 10, 2015
10am – 2pm
- The Caledonia Fire Department is hosting its bi-annual Public Safety Open House at the fire station in Caledonia.
- This is the 6th time this open house is being held and it is a very well attended event in the community.
- This is held during fire prevention week and it is meant to not only showcase the safety vehicles that people see on the roads each day but it also stresses and teaches about fire safety preparedness to the attendees.
- The entire department is there representing and talking to all who stop by.
- Also participating are other partner agencies like the Kent County Sheriff Department, Life Ambulance, NOAA and Caledonia Kiwanis Club just to name a few.
- The Kiwanis club sponsors a car seat check during the event in conjunction with Safe Kids Grand Rapids.
- The fire department also conducts demonstrations of safety equipment like the Jaws of Life or a fire rescue simulation during the event.
Cannon Township Fire Department
Annual Pancake Breakfast and Open House
Donald E. Goodell Fire Station #2
6878 Belding Road
Rockford, MI 49341
Saturday October 3, 2015
8:00 am – 10:30 am
- Serving: Pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice and coffee
- Donations accepted with all the proceeds going to the Great Lakes Burn Camp which helps children who have been victimized by fire.
- Building tours, meet firefighters and see all the fire trucks
Grandville Fire Department
Fire Department Open House
3215 Wilson Avenue
Grandville, MI 49418
Tuesday October 6, 2015
6pm – 8pm
- Learn fire safety and CPR.
- Meet the firefighters, police officers and paramedics.
- See the fire trucks, police cars and an ambulance.
- Meet Sparky® the Fire Dog.
- Enjoy cookies, popcorn and drinks.
John Ball Zoo Goes Boo
E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety / Grand Rapids Fire Department
1300 West Fulton
Grand Rapids, MI 49501
Saturday October 17, 2015
10am – 3pm
- Meet Jake The Fire Safety Dog and visit with your local Grand Rapids Firefighters.
- Take a tour of their fire trucks and learn how to Be Fire Smart inside the E.S.C.A.P.E. fire safety trailer.
Plainfield Fire Department
and Lowe’s Home Improvement
Fire Safety and Education Day
At Lowe’s – 4297 Plainfield Avenue, NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Saturday October 10, 2015
10am – 1pm
- Fire safety and injury prevention material available to handout.
- Vehicle extrication demonstration and other activities for children and families.
Sparta Fire Department
Halloween Open House
36 Elmwood Street
Sparta, MI 49345
Saturday October 31, 2015
11am – 2pm
- There will be an Open House and games at the fire station.
Walker Fire Department
Fire Prevention Open House
4101 Lake Michigan Drive NW
Walker, MI 49534
Monday October 5, 2015
6pm – 8pm
- Activities will include tours of the fire station and apparatus.
- Home fire safety information and packets will be distributed to attendees.
- Nozzle the Clown will deliver a fire safety presentation.
- There will be free smoke alarms available for those who visit with an emphasis on Walker firefighters installing them for Walker residents.
Muskegon County
Casnovia Township Fire Department
Fire Department Open House
17569 Bailey Road
Bailey, MI 49303
Saturday October 17, 2015
4pm – 6pm
Dalton Township Fire Department
Dalton Township Open House
1650 E. Riley Thompson Road
Muskegon, MI 49445
Wednesday October 14, 2015
6pm – 8pm
- Free food (Hot dogs, chips, and drinks).
- Fire truck rides, bounce house, fire extinguisher trainer, 911 demonstration, spray house, vehicle extrication demonstration and “touch-a-truck”
Muskegon Fire Department
Fire Prevention Week Open House
Central Station – 770 Terrace Street
(next to Hot Rod Harley)
Muskegon, MI 49440
Sunday September 27, 2015
2pm – 4pm
- Food and refreshments.
- Station tours, fire extinguisher training, fire safety house, bounce house, Safebuilt of Muskegon, static displays, several vendors, and viewing of newly arrived fire engine.
- Fire prevention material give-a-ways, viewing of fire safety videos in the theatre and 911 dispatch activities for kids.
Muskegon Township / North Muskegon Fire Departments
Fire Prevention Open House
Muskegon Township Fire Station #2
1699 North Getty Street
Muskegon, MI 49445
Thursday October 1, 2015
6pm – 8pm
(Additional parking available across the street at Meijer’s)
- There will be a static display of fire department equipment.
- Attendees will be able to spray a model house with water.
- Other activities include: Smoke house, burn cells-showing the operation of smoke alarms and a sprinkled building vs. an un-sprinkled building, Vehicle extrication demo, Firefighter recruitment, Muskegon County 911, Pro Med Ambulance, Red Cross booth, Safe Kids.
Norton Shores Fire Department
Fire Prevention and Public Safety Open House
1100 East Pontaluna Road
Norton Shores, MI 49444
Saturday September 26, 2015
10am – 3pm
- Featured appearances and activities include: Michigan State Police, fire extinguisher training, kids activities, fire truck rides, drawings and prizes to win a boys and girls bicycle.
Ottawa County
Crockery Township Fire Department
Fire Prevention Open House
16875 Main Street
Nunica, MI 49448
Monday September 28, 2015
6pm – 8pm
Georgetown Charter Township Fire Department
Fire Prevention Open House
Fire Station #1
1415 44th Street
Jenison, MI 49428
(Corner of 14th Avenue & 44th Street)
Thursday October 8, 2015
6pm – 8pm
It’s happened 44 times. When you’re in the fire safety business like ESCAPE founder, firefighter and Certified National Fire Instructor Michael McLeieer is, you remember the number of times people have told you what they learned from you saved their life – or that of someone whom they know.
ESCAPE fire safety and education organization is marking its 20th anniversary spreading the word about fire safety. Many times, it’s children who are the target of the message.
Hear why McLeieer does what he does during an interview on WBCK radio by clicking the video below.
Read More: ESCAPE Marks 20 Years of Fire Safety |
According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments respond to approximately 5,690 fires at education buildings each year. These fires caused an annual 85 civilian injuries and $92 million in direct property damage. Almost a quarter of all school fires are started intentionally. Safety education and preparation should be a priority for every family and school official.
E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety offers these tips to play it safe as children and adolescents return to school:
- Fire drills should be held at least once a month while school is in session (weather permitting).
- Principals, teachers or other school staff must inspect all exits daily to ensure that stairways, doors, and other exits are working properly and are unblocked.
- On the day of the drill, the emergency drill alarm should be sounded on the school fire alarm system. Make sure everyone can recognize the sound of the alarm and knows what to do when it sounds.
- Teachers, officials, and staff should be familiar with the school’s fire protection system, including the location of fire alarms pull stations and sprinklers.
- Every room in the school should have a map posted identifying two ways out. In schools with open floor plans, exit paths should be obvious and kept free of obstruction.
- On the day of the fire drill, everyone in the school should participate.
- Students with specific needs should be assigned an adult or a student buddy to assist them. Fire drills are a good opportunity to identify who among the student population requires extra assistance.
- While it’s important to make sure that students leave the building as quickly as possible, order is more important than speed when it comes to conducting a safe fire drill.
- Use the class rosters to ensure every student is accounted for.
- Fire drills should be held both at expected and at unexpected time, and under varying conditions in order to simulate the conditions that can occur in an actual emergency.
- School fire drills are a model for students to use in their homes. Encourage students to practice their escape plans at home – just as they do at school
If a student engages in firesetting or other negative high risk taking behavior, contact your local fire department or visit www.kidsandfire.org for a list of West Michigan Fire Department based Youth Firesetting Prevention and Intervention programs.
College Fire Safety
While the above tips focus mostly on elementary, middle and high schools, they can also apply to college buildings, where firefighters respond to about 3,810 fires each year – 88% of which are due to cooking mishaps. Here’s a college-level course in fire prevention:
On-campus precautions
- Cook only in designated areas
- Keep cooking areas clean and free of clutter
- Never leave cooking unattended
- In case of a fire inside a microwave, close the door and unplug the unit
Campus lab precautions
- Never leave lab experiments or pressure vessels unattended
- Keep flammable gases and chemicals away from heat
Off-campus precautions
- Be sure each bedroom has a working smoke alarm
- Make sure the building sprinkler system is well maintained
- Building heating and fire-prevention systems need to be checked annually by fire officials
General precautions
- Identify the two closest exits and all possible evacuation routes
- Know locations of fire alarms and how to use them
- Report vandalized fire equipment to campus security
Fire Prevention Week is recognized each October. However, fire safety should be practiced 365 days a year. Whether you’re at home, in the office or at school, safety should come first. Do your part to protect yourself and those around you Where You Live!
Marandas Park Parties traveled to five communities across West Michigan in 2015, including the July 30 event at Northwestern Middle School in Battle Creek. An estimated 6,100 kids and families turned out at the final Park Party of the summer, bringing this year’s total to an estimated 29,000 participants!
“It has been an amazing summer visiting so many wonderful communities across West Michigan and impacting the lives of so many families across our area. We couldn’t do it without the amazing support of our great sponsors from WOOD TV8 and WOTV 4 and from the communities we visited. A huge thanks to everyone who joined for Park Party season 2015,” Maranda said.
E.S.C.A.P.E. would like to thank our fabulous partners for their continued support of fire and life safety education and commitment to help us keep West Michigan families safe!
The Battle Creek Park Party is unique because Maranda partners with Battle Creek Public Schools to bring the community together. Each school in the district was represented in one super-sized area with games, giveaways, and to register children for kindergarten. The district also provided busing from area elementary schools and apartment complexes.
The final Maranda Park Party of the summer is coming to Northwestern Middle School in Battle Creek on July 30.
Maranda partners with Battle Creek Public Schools to bring the community together. Each school in the district is represented in one super-sized area with games, giveaways, and to register children for kindergarten. They also provide busing from area elementary schools and apartment complexes. See the schedule here.
The Battle Creek Police Department brings out a huge display to delight children at the Park Party! Visitors can see the bomb squad with a robot, the Emergency Response Team, and a K9. The Police Department loves the opportunity to get together with people in the community and have fun together.
The Battle Creek Park Party is extra special for E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety, as they celebrate their 20th anniversary. The organization started in Battle Creek, taking fire safety education into communities using a fire safety demonstration trailer. Last year, E.S.C.A.P.E. had the one millionth child go through the smoke demonstration trailer at the Park Party in Battle Creek. This year, they’re helping super-size the event with prizes and a Rescue Squad bounce house.
The Pearson Family will be at the Park Party once again, bringing their incredible sound to the Craig’s Cruisers Entertainment Stage. The family performs beautiful harmonies for the National Anthem and other songs.
The Maranda Park Party on July 30 is from noon until 2 p.m. Free lunch is served to anyone 18 and under starting at 11:30 a.m., while supplies last.