Be Fire Smart and Don’t Get Burned

October 4-10th is Fire Prevention Week, a time to focus on burn awareness and prevention. Keep your family and home safe from the leading causes of home fires.

Here are some tips to prevent fires in your home:

• Make sure your furnace or chimney is checked every year.
• Check to see if you smoke detector is working properly once a month.
• When you change your clocks, change the batteries in your smoke detector.
• Make sure all electrical cords are in good condition.
• Plug appliances and lights into separate outlets.
• Put portable space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can catch fire and never leave them on when there is no adult supervision.
• Develop a home escape plan – get instructions here.
• Never leave food cooking on the stove unattended, especially if you have children.
• Keep your clothes dryer vent and filter free of lint.

In 2007, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there were 399,000 house fires and 2,865 deaths reported in the United States. Most of these fires and injuries can be prevented by taking basic safety precautions and practicing a family escape plan. So when you go home, review this information with your family to stay fire smart and to not get burned.

For more fire safety checklists and interactive games, visit NFPA!

To learn more about how to prevent burns and fires, call your local AARBF office and speak with a burn prevention coordinator.

Central Coast Relay 2008

 

Southern Relay Route Fire Fighters Demonstrate How to “Stop, Drop, and Roll”

Annual Central Coast Relay was held on October 9^th during Fire Prevention Week. Fire departments from throughout San Luis Obispo County with the help of local news personalities from NBC’s local affiliate KSBY, went from school to school teaching elementary aged students valuable burn prevention messages and raising money for AARBF.

In one day, over 16 schools were visited and 5,000 children were taught “Stop, Drop, and Roll,” “Get Low and Go”, not to touch matches, and other safety tips in case of a fire.

 

Highlights included local rescue dogs performing “Stop, Drop, and Roll” and St. Patrick’s Catholic school raising over $500 in a coin drive!

 

AARBF wants to thank the SLO County Fire Chief’s Association, Steve Knuckles, Bill Murphy and all the fire departments, schools, and organizations that helped us raise $16,800 and to all the volunteers who helped us make this day a fun and educational event!

Fire Prevention Week

It only takes a second. . .

During October’s Fire Prevention week, the Prevention team encourages families to plan their “Great Escape Plan” by making sure that they talk to their children about the safest way to leave their home in case of a fire.

Fire Prevention Week is October 5 – 11 and this year’s theme is “Prevent Home Fires.” In 2006 there were nearly 400,000 home fires in the United States. In light of this, we recommend parents walking through their homes with their children and identifying what are safest routes out. Families can make it a fun activity by having their children draw their home map with their escape route on the map.

Your family’s Great Escape should include a designated meeting place outside the home so that everyone knows where to go. Every year children participate in a variety of emergency preparedness drills at their schools – this year as a family, plan a fire escape drill in your home and model positive prevention messages!