Important PSA

Mayor Bloomberg held a press conference earlier today regarding the tragic fire in the Bronx in which 9 people died. The worst fire in NYC in two decades.

As this weekend is daylight savings time, please take the few minutes to change the batteries in your smoke detectors.

If smoke detectors are more than 10 years old, they need to be completely replaced.

No one ever thinks it will happen to them but we lost a very dear family friend in a house fire 13 years ago.

Please, on your way home today take a few minutes and pick up batteries. They could save your life.

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good reminder

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PLEASE do this!!!!!!

As someone who had their house burn down around them in the middle of the night, this is one of the easiest ways to keep yourself and your family safe.

We didn't have batteries in our detectors and the fire department said we were lucky to escape with our lives.

I cannot stress the importance of this.

Re: Important PSA

sent to me by my cousin


Yesterday's tragedy in the Bronx where 9 people (8 children & 1 adult) were killed and their families' lives were horribly changed was one that didn't have to happen. Every time we see a fire like this, there are common items that could have prevented this.

-Fresh batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Please take the opportunity when you change your clocks this weekend to change the batteries.

-Use only UL listed space heaters with automatic shut-offs if it tips. I have attached a bulletin from Corporate EHS on space heaters.

-Electrical, electrical, electrical! Inspect for frayed cords, overtaxed outlets/power strips.
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Leave yourself an out. I strongly encourage everyone to get an escape ladder for all rooms above the first floor. This would have probably saved most of the lives lost in the Bronx fire.

Facts
-80 percent of all fire deaths occur in the home (U.S. Fire Administration)

-The leading cause of fire deaths is careless smoking (U.S. Fire Administration)

-Having a working smoke detector more than doubles one’s chances of surviving a fire (U.S. Fire Administration)

-3,675 people died in fires in the United States in 2005 – one person every 143 minutes. While the number of fires increased in 2005 over 2004, the number of deaths decreased 5.8 percent. (National Fire Protection Association).

-In 2005, 106 firefighters died in the line of duty in the United States – down from 117 in 2004 (U.S. Fire Administration)

-Adults 65 and older are more than twice as likely to die in fires as the overall population. (U.S. Fire Administration study)

-People born in 2003 have a 1-in-1,100 lifetime odds of dying due to exposure to smoke, fire or flame. Odds in any given year are 1:86,000. (National Safety Council)

Follow the safety tips listed below to protect yourself and your family.
Smoke Detectors

-One is definitely NOT enough! Every home should be equipped with smoke detectors on every level, particularly outside of sleeping areas.

-Ensure that your smoke detectors are tested monthly and batteries are replaced twice a year. Change batteries when you change your clocks.
-Encourage children to help test the smoke detectors. Familiarize them with the sounds of the alarm(s).

Fire Extinguishers

-Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher in your kitchen (one rated for grease fires and electrical fires.)

-It's a good idea to keep fire extinguishers near the furnace, garage, and anywhere else a fire may start. These extinguishers are affordable, life-saving equipment for your home.

-Make sure every able-bodied member of the family is trained and familiar with the proper way to use the fire extinguishers.

-If you must use an extinguisher, make sure you have a clear way out in the event you can't put out the fire.

Flammables

-Keep matches, lighters and candles out of reach and out of sight of children!

-Smoking is dangerous! No one should ever smoke in bed. Make sure that cigarettes/cigars are extinguished properly before dumping ashes.

-Avoid grease build-up in the kitchen and on appliances. Cooking fires are common. Don't leave food cooking on stovetops unattended.

-If a fire should occur, suffocate it with a pot/pan lid or a cookie sheet, or close the oven door.

-Around the holidays, Christmas trees are a primary concern. Consider using an artificial tree that is labeled "flame resistant." If you do use an evergreen, water it daily to keep it from drying out. Make sure to inspect stringed lights and window ornaments annually for deterioration.

-Dispose of materials from fireplaces and grills in non-flammable containers.

-Never put children to sleep in "day" clothes. Fire-retardant sleepwear can make a difference in burn outcomes.

Electrical Safety and Heat Sources

-Make sure your electrical system is not being over-taxed. This can cause a fire. Do your lights dim or flicker when extra appliances are plugged in? If you have questions or concerns, consult a certified electrician.

-Inspect wires. If you find any worn or exposed wiring from appliances, discontinue their use immediately! A fire is imminent!

-Space heaters can be dangerous if not used correctly. Make sure yours will automatically shut off if tipped over. Consult the operating instructions to make sure you are using space heaters, gas fire places, and other heat sources as intended by the manufacturer. Keep all flammable materials away from heat sources! If there are young children in the house, make sure space heaters and hot water heaters are inaccessible. Also buy only UL listed heaters.
-Chimney fires are common. Have your chimney inspected and cleaned annually.
-Keep appliances unplugged when not in use.

Escaping a Fire

-Keep bedroom doors shut while sleeping. If you think there is a fire, feel the door and knob for heat before opening.

-Have an escape route for each area of the home and a designated meeting place outside.

-Draw a map—one that's easy for all members of the family and visitors to understand.

-When planning for a family with young children, be sure to teach them not to hide from fire or smoke and to go to firefighters who are there to help them.

-All children should be familiar with the ideas of "crawling underneath the smoke" to escape a fire. "Stop, drop and roll" is another safety principle that must be ingrained into children's minds.

-Multi-storied buildings are of special concern. Ensure that everyone is familiar with how to use an escape ladder if necessary.

-Make sure every sleeping room has two means of escape in the event of a fire. Windows provide a secondary means of escape. Ensure they are in proper working order, are not painted shut, and guards are able to be disengaged in case of fire and escape is necessary through that window.

-Everyone must understand that once you escape, you must never reenter a burning building—no matter what you might have left behind.

-Call emergency responders (911) from a neighbor's house.

-Make sure to practice your escape plan periodically. It will be easier to remember in case of an emergency.

-Young children should know their street address and last name (and, of course, how to dial 911).

-After you've planned for the family, don't forget the pets. Alert firefighters about your pets. Don't rely on window or door decals to alert firefighters

Message edited 3/9/2007 2:56:13 PM.

Re: Important PSA

Absolutely. I'm making DH buy new ones this weekend because the ones we have go off for no reason, I think they malfunction and I'd rather have new ones.

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Thank you this is a good thing to remind people. I think we take it for granted.

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Yes thank you! There was actually a fire in my family last week, I havent written about it on here, but I cant stress the importance of this enough.

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such an important reminder

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excellent reminder!!!!!

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Well said. FYI.... Ours saved our lives and our 2 cats 6 weeks ago when our oil burner had an internal fire and a back puff. We had soot damage in the boiler room. We check ours every few months to be on the safe side. Also, make sure no combustables are near the oil burner- paint thinners etc.
Always check the carbon monoxide detectors too!
ETA also make sure your boiler room is up to code- whether oil or gas. We had a sheet of metal added to the back of our basement boiler room door, your oil company or gas company can do this for you. Some towns require miore then that you have to ask what your town requires. HTH

Message edited 3/9/2007 4:19:25 PM.

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Thanks, T. I plan on doing this when we go home.

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I just looked at the Newsday pictures from this horrible tragedy - they're heartbreaking

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I don't think our are working

Thanks for the PSA!!! I needed to look at them !!!

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bump for the weekend crew

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Thanks for posting, DH just did it!

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Thank you for the reminder!!!