Posted on June 29, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
As Independence Day draws closer, fireworks will start speckling the sky and the National Safety Council is hoping you’ll leave the pyrotechnics to the professionals.
While it may be legal to purchase fireworks, they can be quite dangerous if handled improperly.
Officials report that in 2017, 8 people died and more than 12,000 were injured badly enough to require medical treatments after firework-related injuries.
While the majority of those incidents were due to amateurs attempting to use professional-grade, homemade or otherwise illegal fireworks, an estimated 1,200 were from less powerful devices such as small firecrackers and sparklers.
In addition to the safety hazard they cause to humans, they’re also a fire hazard, accounting for an average of 18,500 fires each year.
The National Safety Council advises everyone to enjoy fireworks during public displays conducted by experts. However, if you do choose to buy fireworks this season, the NSC has a few things for you to keep in mind.
Never allow young children to handle fireworks and yes, that means sparklers as well. While they seem harmless, sparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees which is hot enough to melt some metals.
The National Fire Protection Association estimates that sparklers alone account for more than 25 percent of emergency room visits for fireworks injuries. Parents are encouraged to use safer alternatives such as glow sticks or colored streamers.
Additionally, never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol, utilize protective eye where, never hold lit fireworks in your hands, never light them indoors and only use them away from people, houses and flammable materials.
Be sure to maintain a safe distance once the device is lit and never light more than one device at a time. If a firework malfunctions, do not try to re-light or handle it. On a related note, soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding them.
Also it is a good idea to keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case a fire starts somehow.
For additional information, visit the National Safety Council’s Fireworks Safety Page.
Showing posts with label National Fire Protection Association. Show all posts
Showing posts with label National Fire Protection Association. Show all posts
Monday, July 1, 2019
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
National Fire Protection Agency Reminds Citizens to Look, Listen and Learn When it Comes to Fire Safety
Posted on October 8, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
With chilly temperatures right around the corner and a plethora of holiday cooking coming up, it’s important to be aware of how to prevent fires and how to react if they strike.
Every year the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) recognizes Fire Prevention Week during the month of October. This year’s theme is “Look. Listen. Learn. Be Aware -fire can happen anywhere.”
The theme identifies three simple but essential ways that people can reduce the risk of fire and be prepared in the event of one.
Individuals should “Look” for places fires can start, such as in the kitchen and near heaters and furnaces. Additionally, people should always be alert and “Listen” for the sound of a smoke alarm. Double check the smoke alarms in your homes to ensure they’re in a working condition.
The final bit of advice from this year’s theme is to “Learn” two ways out of each room. Families are encouraged to go over escape plans with their children frequently enough so that when an emergency happens, they’ll know exactly what to do.
NFPA officials say that while the number of reported home fires in the U.S. has seen a steady decline over the past few decades, the death rate per 1,000 home fires was 10 percent higher in 2016 than it was in 1980.
NFPA Vice President of Outreach and Advocacy Lorraine Carli commented that these numbers show even though significant progress has been made in teaching people how to prevent fires from happening, there’s still much more work to do in terms of educating the public about how to protect themselves when one occurs.
The Starke County COAD, aka Community Organizations Active in Disaster, will be sharing more tips throughout the remainder of Fire Prevention Week. Click the link provided for more details.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
With chilly temperatures right around the corner and a plethora of holiday cooking coming up, it’s important to be aware of how to prevent fires and how to react if they strike.
Every year the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) recognizes Fire Prevention Week during the month of October. This year’s theme is “Look. Listen. Learn. Be Aware -fire can happen anywhere.”
The theme identifies three simple but essential ways that people can reduce the risk of fire and be prepared in the event of one.
Individuals should “Look” for places fires can start, such as in the kitchen and near heaters and furnaces. Additionally, people should always be alert and “Listen” for the sound of a smoke alarm. Double check the smoke alarms in your homes to ensure they’re in a working condition.
The final bit of advice from this year’s theme is to “Learn” two ways out of each room. Families are encouraged to go over escape plans with their children frequently enough so that when an emergency happens, they’ll know exactly what to do.
NFPA officials say that while the number of reported home fires in the U.S. has seen a steady decline over the past few decades, the death rate per 1,000 home fires was 10 percent higher in 2016 than it was in 1980.
NFPA Vice President of Outreach and Advocacy Lorraine Carli commented that these numbers show even though significant progress has been made in teaching people how to prevent fires from happening, there’s still much more work to do in terms of educating the public about how to protect themselves when one occurs.
The Starke County COAD, aka Community Organizations Active in Disaster, will be sharing more tips throughout the remainder of Fire Prevention Week. Click the link provided for more details.
Friday, August 24, 2018
North Judson Fire Chief Discusses Equipment Testing With Town Council
Posted on August 24, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Chief Joe Leszek informed town council members about some equipment testing that took place earlier this month. Chief Leszek told the council Monday night that the department recently tested their hoses to check for any that were damaged.
He said the hose testing went well for the most part. There was some four-inch hose that failed but since that was provided from some other departments for free, it didn’t set them back any. Leszek added that even though they had to scrap some of it, they still have a pretty good surplus of the four-inch hose.
He said there were a few other sections that had some issues but they already had hoses in reserve, so they didn’t have to spend a lot of money replacing hose.
He noted that after removing the faulty hoses from their supply, the department is back up to the standards set forth by the National Fire Protection Agency.
Leszek said, “Every hose that we had in the firehouse, whether it’s on the truck or for back up, upstairs in the rafters, it’s tested and passed for a year so we’re in compliance with NFPA again.”
In addition to checking hoses, ladders are also tested. The testing is done annually to ensure the safety of firefighters and the public.
On the Fire Department’s social media account, they mentioned that the International Organization of Standardization, the company who helps set insurance rates, likes to see this kind of testing done once a year. Representatives said that having records of consistent testing helps keep fire insurance costs lower.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Chief Joe Leszek informed town council members about some equipment testing that took place earlier this month. Chief Leszek told the council Monday night that the department recently tested their hoses to check for any that were damaged.
He said the hose testing went well for the most part. There was some four-inch hose that failed but since that was provided from some other departments for free, it didn’t set them back any. Leszek added that even though they had to scrap some of it, they still have a pretty good surplus of the four-inch hose.
He said there were a few other sections that had some issues but they already had hoses in reserve, so they didn’t have to spend a lot of money replacing hose.
He noted that after removing the faulty hoses from their supply, the department is back up to the standards set forth by the National Fire Protection Agency.
Leszek said, “Every hose that we had in the firehouse, whether it’s on the truck or for back up, upstairs in the rafters, it’s tested and passed for a year so we’re in compliance with NFPA again.”
In addition to checking hoses, ladders are also tested. The testing is done annually to ensure the safety of firefighters and the public.
On the Fire Department’s social media account, they mentioned that the International Organization of Standardization, the company who helps set insurance rates, likes to see this kind of testing done once a year. Representatives said that having records of consistent testing helps keep fire insurance costs lower.
Thursday, March 8, 2018
Daylight Saving Time Starts Sunday
Posted on March 8, 2018
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Get ready to “spring forward.” Daylight Saving Time officially begins Sunday at 2:00 a.m. That means clocks should be moved forward one hour before going to bed on Saturday.
It’s also a good time to change the batteries in your smoke alarm and make sure it’s working properly. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security also reminds residents to check their smoke alarms’ manufacture date. If it’s more than 10 years old, it’s time for a new one.
Having working smoke alarms doubles your chance of surviving a house fire, according to the National Fire Protection Association. More fire safety tips can be found on the Indiana Department of Homeland Security website.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Get ready to “spring forward.” Daylight Saving Time officially begins Sunday at 2:00 a.m. That means clocks should be moved forward one hour before going to bed on Saturday.
It’s also a good time to change the batteries in your smoke alarm and make sure it’s working properly. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security also reminds residents to check their smoke alarms’ manufacture date. If it’s more than 10 years old, it’s time for a new one.
Having working smoke alarms doubles your chance of surviving a house fire, according to the National Fire Protection Association. More fire safety tips can be found on the Indiana Department of Homeland Security website.
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
America Observes Fire Prevention Week
Posted on October 9, 2017
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health observance on record.
First established in 1925 by President Calvin Coolidge, it was formed in order to commemorate the “Great Chicago Fire” of October of 1871 when more than 250 people died and another 100,000 were left homeless. This year, Fire Prevention Week started on the 8th and runs through the 14th. It serves as a reminder to individuals of all ages to be prepared for when the unexpected may strike.
During this week, parents and teachers are encouraged to go over basic fire prevention and safety tips with students at all levels. The NFPA has a few helpful resources that can help families be prepared in case of a fire.
Have up-to-date smoke detectors with working batteries in each and every room and be sure fire sprinklers are in working condition. Invest in specific stickers that can be placed on the windows of younger children, the disabled or the elderly to assist the fire department in finding rooms that may contain individuals who are unable to escape. Once outside, never return into the burning structure for any reason.
The NFPA advises parents to go over escape plans with children on a semi-regular basis and always include more than one exit strategy. Teach kids to assist themselves in case you’re unable to get to them. Practice during the day and during the night. Be sure your address number is visible and easy for the fire department to find.
To take a quiz to test your preparedness or to find helpful maps and print-outs visit firepreventionweek.org.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health observance on record.
First established in 1925 by President Calvin Coolidge, it was formed in order to commemorate the “Great Chicago Fire” of October of 1871 when more than 250 people died and another 100,000 were left homeless. This year, Fire Prevention Week started on the 8th and runs through the 14th. It serves as a reminder to individuals of all ages to be prepared for when the unexpected may strike.
During this week, parents and teachers are encouraged to go over basic fire prevention and safety tips with students at all levels. The NFPA has a few helpful resources that can help families be prepared in case of a fire.
Have up-to-date smoke detectors with working batteries in each and every room and be sure fire sprinklers are in working condition. Invest in specific stickers that can be placed on the windows of younger children, the disabled or the elderly to assist the fire department in finding rooms that may contain individuals who are unable to escape. Once outside, never return into the burning structure for any reason.
The NFPA advises parents to go over escape plans with children on a semi-regular basis and always include more than one exit strategy. Teach kids to assist themselves in case you’re unable to get to them. Practice during the day and during the night. Be sure your address number is visible and easy for the fire department to find.
To take a quiz to test your preparedness or to find helpful maps and print-outs visit firepreventionweek.org.
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