Fire Prevention

[Michael]

Last week the Cranbury Vol. Fire Co. was in our local schools teaching the children and teachers how to be safe if there is a fire. Here are some great links for kids and family to use at home for fire safety!


http://www.sparky.org/

http://www.nfpa.org/categoryList.asp?categoryID=2017&URL=Safety%20Information/Fire%20Prevention%20Week%202010

Anytime you have questions feel free to call (609-395-0633) or visit the firehouse on a Monday night.

Thanks,
Michael

[Guest]

Thank you. My daughter at CPNS has been showing and telling everyone stop drop and roll.

[Michael]

We need to keep our men and women of the emergency services safe! Did you know it is the law to slow down and move over for stopped emergency vehicles? Keep us and yourselves safe on our roadways!

The Law


New Jersey Statute 39:4-92.2

Procedure for motorist approaching stationary authorized emergency vehicle, tow truck, highway maintenance or emergency service vehicle.

1. a. The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle as defined in R.S.39:1-1 that is displaying a flashing, blinking or alternating red or blue light or, any configuration of lights containing one of these colors, shall approach the authorized emergency vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a law enforcement officer, proceed as follows:

(1) Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or

(2) If a lane change pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection a. of this section would be impossible, prohibited by law or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.

b. The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary tow truck as defined in section 1 of P.L.1999, c.396 (C.39:3-84.6) that is displaying a flashing amber light or a stationary highway maintenance or emergency service vehicle that is operated by the State, an authority or a county or municipality and displaying flashing yellow, amber, or red lights shall approach the vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a law enforcement officer, proceed as follows:

(1) Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the tow truck or highway maintenance or emergency service vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or

(2) If a lane change under paragraph (1) of subsection b. of this section would be impossible, prohibited by law or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.

c. A violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500.

L. 2009, c.5, s.1.

[Michael]

Here are some Electrical Safety Tips from NFPA

http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files//PDF/Public%20Education/Electrical_Safety_Tips.pdf

[Michael]

And given it's right around the corner... Haloween Safety Tips!

http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/Public%20Education/HalloweenSafetyTips.pdf

[Guest]

Thank you for this

[Michael]

It's almost time! November 6th we "fall back" and set the clocks back an hour for Daylight Savings. This is a great time to replace batteries in your smoke and CO detectors and test them as well. Don't forget to practice your fire safety plan as well!

[Michael]

This is why it is so important to have working CO detectors in your house! Please make sure the batteries are changed regularly and your detectors are tested and replaced as per the directions.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=8412224

Associated Press
UPPER DARBY, Pa. - October 31, 2011 (WPVI) -- Authorities are blaming the fatal carbon monoxide poisoning of a young Delaware County woman on a malfunctioning heating system.


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Upper Darby police say 22-year-old Anna Mae Croumbley was found dead in the basement bedroom of her family's home around 4 a.m. Sunday.

Officials say a carbon monoxide alarm went off in the adjoining twin home, alerting neighbors. Firefighters who arrived at the scene evacuated both homes and found Croumbley unresponsive.

Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood says investigators found a clogged chimney flue and forced the deadly gas back into the basement. He said Croumbley's father had turned on the heat about an hour earlier for the first time this year.


(Copyright ©2011 WPVI-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

[Michael]

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/focus/cooking.shtm

The Facts
Cooking was the cause of almost half (46%) of residential building fires in 2009.
Males face a disproportionate risk of cooking fire injury relative to the amount of cooking they do.
Young children and older adults face a higher risk of death from cooking fires than do other age groups.
Young children are at high risk from non-fire cooking-related burns.
Unattended cooking is the single leading factor contributing to cooking fires.
Many other cooking fires begin because combustibles are too close to cooking heat sources.
Frying is the cooking method posing the highest risk.
More than half of home cooking injuries occur when people try to fight the fire themselves.
Educational effectiveness may be enhanced by linking burn prevention and fire prevention.
Technology may be the best long-term solution to dealing with the cooking fire problem.
Focus on Fire Safety: Holiday Cooking
Cooking fires continue to be the most common type of fires experienced by U.S. households. This is even more apparent during the holidays. There is an increased incidence of cooking fires on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day, and Christmas Day. Cooking fires are also the leading cause of civilian fire injuries in residences. These fires are preventable by simply being more attentive to the use of cooking materials and equipment.

Don’t become a cooking fire casualty. Learn the facts about cooking fire safety today!

Safe Cooking Tips
The kitchen can be one of the most hazardous rooms in the home if you don’t practice safe cooking behaviors. Here are some safety tips to help:

•Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
•If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you're cooking.
•Stay alert! To prevent cooking fires, you have to be alert. You won't be if you are sleepy, have been drinking alcohol, or have taken medicine that makes you drowsy.
•Keep anything that can catch fire - potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels, or curtains - away from your stovetop.
•Keep the stovetop, burners, and oven clean.
•Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire if it comes into contact with a gas flame or electric burner.
•Plug microwave ovens and other cooking appliances directly into an outlet. Never use an extension cord for a cooking appliance, as it can overload the circuit and cause a fire.

When cooking, stay in the kitchen and keep an eye on the stove.
If You Have a Cooking Fire
•When in doubt, just get out. When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.
•If you do try to fight the fire, be sure others are already getting out and you have a clear path to the exit.
•Always keep an oven mitt and a lid nearby when you are cooking. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan (make sure you are wearing the oven mitt). Turn off the burner. Do not move the pan. To keep the fire from restarting, leave the lid on until the pan is completely cool.
•In case of an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you or your clothing.
•If you have a fire in your microwave oven, turn it off immediately and keep the door closed. Never open the door until the fire is completely out. Unplug the appliance if you can safely reach the outlet.
•After a fire, both ovens and microwaves should be checked and/or serviced before being used again.
Nuisance Smoke Alarms
If a smoke alarm sounds during normal cooking, you may need to move it farther away from the kitchen (according to manufacturer’s instructions) and/or install a smoke alarm with a pause button.

If your alarm already has a pause button, push the pause button, open the door or window, and fan the area around the alarm with a towel to get the air moving. Do not disable the smoke alarm or take the batteries out!

Treat every smoke alarm activation as a likely fire and react quickly and safely to the alarm.

Turkey Fryer Safety Tips
•Use turkey fryers outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other combustible materials.
•Never use turkey fryers in a garage or on a wooden deck.
•Make sure fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
•Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you do not watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
•Never let children or pets near the fryer even if it is not in use. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot hours after use.
•To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.
•Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
•Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water do not mix; water causes oil to spill over causing a fire or even an explosion hazard.
•The National Turkey Federation recommends thawing the turkey in the refrigerator approximately 24 hours for every five pounds in weight.
•Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. If the fire is manageable, use your all-purpose fire extinguisher. If the fire increases, immediately call the fire department for help.
Source: Underwriters Laboratories


Young children are at high risk from non-fire cooking-related burns. Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove.
Burns and Scalds
Most burns associated with cooking equipment, cookware, and tableware are not caused by fire or flame. In 2009, ranges or ovens were involved in an estimated 17,300 thermal burn injuries seen in U.S. hospital emergency rooms. (Source: NFPA) Microwaves are a leading cause of scald burns. Be extra careful when opening a heated food container. Heat food in containers that are marked ‘microwave safe.’ Since foods heat unevenly in the microwave, make sure you stir and test the food before eating.

Protecting Children from Scalds and Burns
Children under five face a higher risk of non-fire burns associated with cooking than of being burned in a cooking fire. (Source: NFPA) You can help prevent these injuries by following a few basic tips:

•Keep children at least 3 feet away from where food and drink are being prepared or carried.
•Keep hot foods and liquids away from the table or counter edges.
•Use the stove’s back burners if you have young children in the home.
•Never hold a child while cooking, drinking, or carrying hot foods or liquids.
Also, teach children that hot things burn!


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[Michael]

"We found one smoke alarm inside of [the home], the smoke alarm had a battery inside. But the smoke alarm did not activate because the battery wasn't in place," explained Chief Hudgins.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=8416958

One properly installed battery could have saved his life, and possibly kept the firefighter from being injured!

[Michael]

Today is the day, check you smoke detectors and replace the batteries!

[Michael]

Here is a great site to test your kids fire safety knowledge -

http://www.njfiresafety.com/video/fire-is-pretest

[Michael]

some links to Holiday Safety Tips

http://www.cygnusinteractive.com/artsheetV2/artsheets/875/1497196/_creative/index.html

[Michael]

It's that time of year!

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/focus/holiday.shtm