West Virginia State Firemen's Association

UPDATE: Correction made to the PDF by the WVSFMO.

PRESS RELEASE: Arson Awareness Week 2013

Please view the corrected Arson Awareness Week 2013 PRESS RELEASE APR Corrected

Daylight Savings Time (DST) starts Sunday, March 10.

DST is a good time to observe the long-standing “Change Your Clock Change Your Battery” program, created by Energizer and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC).

This campaign reminds everyone as they set their clocks ahead for DST, it’s also a great time to test and to change the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.  It’s quick and easy—and it could save your life!

For more information, please visit: http://www.energizer.com/learning-center/fire-safety/Pages/default.aspx

Please check out the following Safety Memo by the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Holiday Fire Safety Tips from the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office

Download here.

WVSFMO 2012 Campus Fire Safety Press Release.

Click to download the PDF.

Please refer to this document – Clothing Dryer Safety Bulletin 2012.

The following information is provided by the United States Fire Administration (USFA).

Every year Americans look forward to summer vacations, family reunions, picnics, and the Fourth of July. Summertime, however, also brings fires and injuries due to outdoor cooking and recreational fires. Annually, almost 3,800 Americans are injured by charcoal or gas grill fires.

· An estimated 5,700 grill fires occur on residential properties each year in the United States.

· Over half (57%) of grill fires on residential properties occur in May, June, July, and August.

· Almost half (49%) of grill fires on residential properties occur from 5 to 8 p.m.

· Thirty-two percent of grill fires on residential properties start on patios, terraces, screened-in porches, or courtyards.

Grill Safety: Some Tips To Remember

· Propane and charcoal BBQ grills must only be used outdoors. If used indoors, or in any enclosed spaces such as tents, they pose both a fire hazard and the risk of exposing occupants to toxic gases and potential asphyxiation.

· Position the grill well away from siding, deck railing, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.

· Place the grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas, and foot traffic.

· Keep children and pets from the grill area: keep a 3-foot “safe zone” around the grill.

· Use long-handled grilling tools to give the chef plenty of clearance from heat and flames when cooking.

· Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below the grill so it cannot be ignited by a hot grill.

Charcoal Grills

· Buy the proper starter fluid and store out of reach of children and away from heat sources.

· Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals or kindling have already been ignited, and never use any flammable or combustible liquid other than charcoal starter fluid to get the fire going.

Propane Grills

· Check the propane cylinder hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year.

A light soap and water solution applied to the hose will reveal escaping propane quickly by releasing bubbles.

· If you determined your grill has a gas leak by smell or the “soapy bubble test” and there is no flame:

1. Turn off the propane tank and grill.

2. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again.

3. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department.

· If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not attempt to move the grill.

· Use only equipment bearing the mark of an independent testing laboratory. Follow

manufacturers’ instructions on how to set up the grill and maintain it.

· Never store propane cylinders in buildings or garages. If you store a gas grill inside during the winter, disconnect the cylinder and leave it outside.

Fire Pits

In recent years, there has been a new concern for the fire service – fire pits. Fire pits are known to be a great source of warmth and ambience. But with the popularity of fire pits increasing, fire safety has become even more important. There are many things you should consider while setting up and using a fire pit.

· Keep away from flammable material and fluids such as gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, and charcoal lighter fluid or vehicles while in use.

· Do not use flammable fluids such as gasoline, alcohol, diesel fuel, kerosene, and charcoal lighter fluid to light or relight fires.

· Exercise the same precautions you would with an open fire.

· Do not allow children to use the fire pit. Keep children and pets away.

· Do not wear flammable or loose-fitting clothing such as nylon.

· Do not burn trash, leaves, paper, cardboard, or plywood. Avoid using soft wood such as pine or cedar that likely pop and throw sparks. Use of seasoned hardwood is suggested.

· Before starting the fire, make sure that the lid will still close to extinguish the fire in case of emergency. Do not overload.

· Before you light the fire, check the wind direction.

· Keep a fire extinguisher or garden hose nearby.

· Websites to visit for more information:

www.usfa.fema.gov

www.nfpa.org

www.safekids.org

Download WV State Fire Marshal’s Office, Fire Works Safety – PDF

Firefighter Safety: Mistakes and Best Practices

Emergency Management: Improving Decision Making Under Stress

Seminar is “No Cost” to the fire service across West Virginia.

Sponsored by the West Virginia State Firemen’s Association and the WVU Fire Service Extension

Download the PDF version.

State Fire Marshal

For immediate release MARCH 2012

Contact: Carol Nolte, Public Education Division Phone: 304-558-2191, Ext. 53223 E-mail: Carol.E.Nolte@wv.gov

Fire Safety for People with Disabilities

For years, West Virginia has been a state with one of the highest fire death rates in the United States. Typically, high risk populations include people with disabilities, older adults, and very young children. West Virginia has one of the highest populations in the country of people with disabilities.

The following safety tips come from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

Plan your escape.

Most fire deaths happen in the home. Everyone should have a home fire escape plan so they will have time to escape in the event of a fire.

• Include everyone in your family in the plan and practice the plan at least twice a year.

• Make sure there are two ways out of every room and every building.

• Include provisions in your plan for anyone who has a disability.

• If there is a fire, it’s important to get out right away and meet at an established meeting place.

• Keep a phone by your bed in case you become trapped by smoke or fire and are unable to escape.

• Ask your fire department to review your plan. Some departments have voluntary registries for people who may need extra assistance in an emergency.

• If there is a fire or smoke, call 911 or the fire emergency number. People who are deaf and use a text telephone device (TTY’s or TDD’s) should call the TTY-equipped 911 center or emergency services center in their communities.

Install Smoke Alarms.

Having working smoke alarms in the home gives people more time to escape if there is smoke or fire.

• Install alarms on every level of your home and outside all sleeping areas.

• For added safety, install smoke alarms in every room where people sleep. (To increase safety even further, have a qualified electrician install hard-wired, interconnected smoke alarms.)

• Choose smoke alarms that use strobe (flashing) lights for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

• Install a new battery in all conventional alarms at least once a year.

• Alarms with ten-year lithium batteries are helpful for people who might have difficulties changing batteries. All smoke alarms should be replaced after ten years or when they fail to work.
Test Smoke Alarms Monthly.

• Test your alarm at least once a month using the test button or an approved smoke substitute.

• Some alarms have features that make them easier to test if you are unable to reach the alarm, such as with a flashlight or television remote.

Escaping a Fire.

• If there is smoke or fire blocking one of your ways out, try to use your second way out.

• If you must go through smoke, crawl low or get as low as you can go under the smoke. The cleanest air is lower.

• If you must wait for rescue, close the door to keep smoke out, wait by the window, and make your presence known to arriving firefighters.

Home Fire Sprinklers.

Sprinklers can extinguish a home fire in less time than it takes for the fire department to arrive.

• When looking for an apartment or high-rise home, look for one with an automatic sprinkler system.

• For more information about home sprinkler systems, go to

http://www.homefiresprinkler.org/hfsc.html.

For more fire safety tips, go to www.nfpa.org/factsheets.