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Show Low Fire Information Corner: Thanksgiving Safety Tips and Stats

Thanksgiving Safety Tips and Stats

Happy Thanksgiving to all the resident and visitors of the beautiful White Mountains of Arizona. Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for what we have and spend quality time with the ones we love. To help you stay safe over the Thanksgiving holiday, here are a few tips from us to you:
  • Turn the handles of pots inward that are on the stove, so the pans are not knocked off the stove accidently
  • Clean your oven and stove before the cooking begins
  • Keep a fire extinguisher within reach while cooking
  • Stay in the kitchen while cooking, don’t leave cooking items unattended
  • Keep children out of the kitchen while cooking, to avoid burns etc.
  • If you are attempting to deep fry your turkey, make sure to follow the manufactures cooking instructions and make sure your turkey is thoroughly thawed.
  • Be sure to turn off stove and oven when done cooking

Stats

  • Thanksgiving Day fires in residential structures cause more property damage and claim more lives than residential structure fires on any other day
  • Surprisingly, fire injuries in residences decrease on Thanksgiving Day
  • Cooking is by far the leading cause of residential structure fires on Thanksgiving Day at 42% nearly double that of a normal day
  • The leading factor in the ignition of residential cooking fires is food left unattended

Each year, nearly 4300 fires in the United States occur on Thanksgiving Day causing 15 fatalities, about 50 injuries, and nearly $27 million in property damage. Of these fires, 1,450 are in residential structures that claim 15 lives, injure 41, and cause an estimated $21 million in damage.

From all of us at Show Low Fire, please be safe over this Thanksgiving holiday and enjoy.

November 22nd, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , | Category: Health, Holiday Safety, Prevention, Show Low Fire Information Corner | Comments are closed

Chimney Fire Safety – Show Low Fire Information Corner

by Brent Mix, Captain / PIO

Fall is just around the corner. Where has this year gone?

A down look at a creosote clogged chimney.

A down-look at a creosote clogged chimney.

For those of us burning wood this Fall and Winter, have you checked your chimney lately? Chimneys are one of the most common locations of residential structure fires in the White Mountains of Arizona.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America reports that creosote accumulation is the leading cause of chimney fires.  A chimney that is dirty, blocked or is in disrepair can inhibit proper venting of smoke up the flue and can also cause a chimney fire. Nearly all residential fires originating in the chimney are preventable.

An annual chimney inspection by a qualified chimney sweep can prevent fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.

To keep your home safe from chimney fires follow these guidelines.

Maintenance

Good maintenance is a very important step in preventing chimney fires!

Active chimney Fire

  • Have your chimney checked every year by a qualified chimney professional.
  • Burn only well seasoned hardwoods.
  • Install a chimney cap.
  • Install a carbon monoxide detector.
  • Have your chimney sweep ensure that your chimney has an appropriate liner.
  • Following a violent storm, earthquake, flood or lightening strike, have your chimney inspected for damage – inside and out.

Prevention

Remember prevention is your best defense against fire.

If you have a wood or coal stove, be sure it is installed at least 36 inches away from the wall. Keep combustible materials well away from the stove and chimney connector. Place an approved stove board under the unit to protect the floor from heat and hot coals which might drop out.

Be Prepared

Know what to do in case of fire. If you suspect a chimney fire, evacuate your home and call 9-1-1

Furnace Units

For those of you that will be using a gas furnace. Make sure it is in good working order, by a qualified technician. One thing you can do is replace the furnace filter before your furnace ever starts running this Fall. It is recommended that you inspect  your furnace filter once a month and replace as needed.

These are just a few things that you can do, to prepare you and your family for a safe and enjoyable Fall season. These safety messages are brought to you by the Show Low Fire District, the New York State office of Fire Prevention and Control also About.com.

Remember to be safe throughout the rest of this year, so we don’t have to meet you when you are having a bad day.

More Tips

[youtube ocrvQFp6ii4 Clean Chimney For Safety's Sake ]

More on Chimney Sweep’s with Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs (Don’t try this at home)


Watch 0-31764 (Jan 16).wmv in Entertainment |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

October 17th, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , | Category: Prevention, Show Low Fire Information Corner | Comments are closed

Show Low Fire Information Corner: Public Safety Open House is Coming

By Brent Mix Captain/PIO

Wow! It’s September already and Fall is just around the corner. The members of the Show Low Fire District hope that all of our year round residents and visitors had a safe and happy summer in the White Mountains.

Here at Show Low Fire we are gearing up for another busy month of Fire Prevention. Every October, the Show Low Fire Department makes contact with approximately 2000 pre-school and school age young people and talks to them about fire prevention and what to do in an emergency.

Our Public Safety Open House is coming up on Saturday, October 2nd and it runs from 10 am. to 2 pm. Every year our Open House gets bigger and better.

The Show Low Police Department and Show Low Fire Department put on several displays and exhibits for all to see.

Free Pepsi, Hot Dogs and Popcorn, games for the kids and fire safety information are a few of the events.

Here are some of the events planned:

  • Show Low Fire Pipe and Drums will be doing a flag presentation at noon.
  • Air Evac will be on site with their helicopter and flight crew.
  • There will be multiple demonstrations by fire and police including, but not limited to an Air Rescue Firefighting simulation
  • Animal Control demonstrating their animal saving techniques.
  • A vehicle accident simulation with extrication.
  • A K-9 demonstration involving a bad guy being taken down by the K-9 officer.
  • A Hazardous-Materials demonstration.
  • A Tazer demonstration (any volunteers?).
  • The Show Low Police have an SRT Team (special response team) that will put on a demonstration and the
  • Show Low Fire department will demonstrate how to mitigate a propane fire.

There is so much to see and do at our Public Safety Open House.

Please plan on coming out and spending a few hours (10-2) with the people who come to help you when you are having a bad day!

September 14th, 2010 | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment
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