FIRE SAFETY

More than 4,000 Americans die each year in fires and 20,000 are injured. An overwhelming number of fires occur in the home. There are time-tested ways to prevent and survive a fire. It’s not a question of luck. It’s a matter of planning ahead.

• Smoke Alarms & Carbon Monoxide Alarms - Every home should have at least one working smoke alarm, preferably one on every level of the home. Test your smoke alarms frequently and replace the batteries once a year. It is also a good idea to have at least one Carbon Monoxide detector in the home preferably in the sleeping area. For those who can’t afford smoke alarms or carbon monoxide alarms the Spencerport Fire District will provide them free of charge.
  
• EDITH (Exit Drills In The Home) - Practice an escape plan from every room in your home. You should stay low to the floor when escaping and never open doors that are hot. Pre-select a location to meet once everyone is out of the house. Get out then call 911.
  
• Lighters & Matches - Do not leave lighters and matches lying around as they can get into the hands of a curious child with tragic results.
  
• Chimney’s - Have your chimney cleaned annually. The creosote buildup can ignite a chimney fire that could easily spread.
  
• Portable Heaters – Keep combustible materials at least 3 feet away from portable heaters and never use gasoline as fuel for heaters.
  
• Electrical – Never overload circuits or extension cords and do not place cords under rugs, over nails or in high traffic areas. Shut off and unplug appliances that spark, sputter, or emit an unusual odor and have them professionally repaired or replaced.
  
• Sprinklers – Using home sprinklers along with smoke alarms can greatly improve your chances of surviving a home fire. Sprinklers are affordable and can increase your property value and reduce your insurance rates.
  
• Check out the following web sites for more excellent information on fire safety.
  www.firesafetytips.com
  www.firesafety.gov
  www.usfa.fema.gov       www.sparklesthefiresafetydog.com                                                                                                                                   

CO Poisoning

CARBON MONOXIDE, The Silent Killer
You can’t see it, you can’t smell it, but at various levels it can cause sudden illness or even death.

Where is CO found?
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned.  If appliances that burn fuel are properly used and maintained, the amount of CO is usually not hazardous.  However, if appliances are used incorrectly or are not working properly, dangerous levels of CO can be produced.

What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?
Common symptoms of CO poisoning are headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. High levels of CO inhalation can cause loss of consciousness and death. Unless suspected, CO poisoning can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic other illnesses such as the flu and food poisoning. People who are sleeping or intoxicated can die from CO poisoning before ever experiencing symptoms.

How does CO poisoning work?
Red blood cells pick up CO quicker than they pick up oxygen. If there is a lot of CO in the air, the body may replace oxygen in blood with CO. This blocks oxygen from getting into the body, which can damage tissues and result in death.

Who is at risk from CO poisoning?
All people and animals are at risk for CO poisoning. Certain groups — unborn babies, infants, and people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or respiratory problems — are more susceptible to its effects. Each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning, more than 20,000 visit the emergency room and more than 4,000 are hospitalized due to CO poisoning. Fatality is highest among Americans 65 and older.

Prevention is the Key

• Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.
• DON’T use portable flameless chemical heaters (catalytic) indoors. Although these heaters don't have a flame, they burn gas and can cause CO to build up inside your home.
• If you smell an odor from your gas refrigerator's cooling unit have an expert service it there may be a defect may be giving off CO.
• When purchasing gas equipment, buy only equipment carrying the seal of a national testing agency, such as the American Gas Association or Underwriters' Laboratories.
• DON’T idle the car in the garage

How can I heat my house safely or cook when the power is out?

• DON’T ever use a gas range or oven for heating. Using a gas range or oven for heating can cause a build up of CO inside your home.
• NEVER use a charcoal grill indoors -- even in a fireplace.
• NEVER use a portable gas camp stove indoors. Using a gas camp stove indoors can cause CO to build up inside your home.
• NEVER use a generator inside your home, basement, or garage or near a window, door, or vent.  Take them outside.

In the event your CO Alarm sounds:
 Get Out Of The House
and Call 911.

Install a battery-operated CO detector in your home and check or replace the battery when you change your clocks twice a year.

The Spencerport Fire District also promotes fire safety by offering firehouse tours, day care visits, school visits, senior citizen info nights, and our annual open house.  For more information on this topic or to schedule an event you can email us at: info@spencerportfire.org