Roanoke Fire-EMS
Fire Prevention Week, October 5-11: Prevent Home Fires!
Roanoke Fire-EMS wants to remind you that Fire Prevention Week is October 5-11. This year’s theme is “Prevent Home Fires”. Roanoke Fire-EMS will be visiting local schools, libraries and daycares during the month of October presenting fire and life safety messages to children of all ages. The presentations will consist of fire truck visits, fire station tours and puppet shows.
Roanoke Fire-EMS has also teamed up once again with Roanoke City Public Schools for the 4th Annual Fire Prevention Week Art Contest. During Fire Prevention Week, students will be working on artwork that shows fire safety and prevention. Art Specialists in each school will choose two candidates. The artwork will then be judged by a panel. Twelve winners will be chosen and treated to a party at Fire-EMS Station 1 in early November.
Here are some fire safety tips for kids to keep in mind:
Safety in the kitchen
Electrical check-up
Help grown-ups check electrical cords to make sure they are not damaged.
Heating Reminders
Remind grown-ups to keep space heaters 3 feet from anything that can burn.
Grown-ups should always turn off space heaters every time they leave the room and before going to bed.
Remind grown-ups never to use an oven to heat your home.
Match and lighter safety
Candle caution
Safety smart grown-up reminders
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside each bedroom and outside each sleeping area.
Test smoke alarms once a month.
Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
Make a home fire escape plan with your family and PRACTICE IT!
Find two ways out of every room and an outside meeting place.
Know the emergency number for your fire department.
Practice your escape plan twice a year.
When the smoke alarm sounds, get out and stay out!
Here are some safety tips for grownups:
Cooking with Care
Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period time, turn off the stove.
Keep anything that can catch fire – potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags – away form your stovetop.
Wear short, close fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire.
Always keep an oven mitt and lid handy. If a small fire starts in a pan on the stove, put on the oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Don’t remove the lid until it is completely cool.
Everyday Electrical Safety
Keep lamps, light fixtures, and light bulbs away from anything that can burn, such as lamp shades, bedding, curtains, and clothing.
Replace cracked and damaged electrical cords.
Use extension cords for temporary wiring only. Consider having additional circuits or receptacles added by a qualified electrician.
Homes with young children should have tamper-resistant electrical receptacles.
Call a qualified electrician or landlord if you have recurring problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers, discolored or warm wall outlets, flickering lights or a burning or rubbery smell coming from an appliance.
Healthy Heating
Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms to avoid risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
Keep all things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away form heating equipment.
Turn portable space heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.
An oven should not be used to heat a home.
Strike Out Smoking-materials Fires
If you smoke, choose fire-safe cigarettes if they are available in your area.
If you smoke, smoke outside.
Wherever you smoke, use deep, sturdy ashtrays.
Never smoke in a home where oxygen is used.
Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet, out of the reach of children.
Candle with Caution
Keep candles at least 12 inches form anything that can burn.
Use sturdy, safe candleholders.
Never leave a burning candle unattended. Blow out candles when you leave a room.
Avoid using candles in bedrooms and sleeping areas.
Use flashlights for emergency lighting.
Safety 101
Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button.
Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
Make sure everyone can hear the sound of the smoke alarms.
Have a home fire escape plan. Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible, and a meeting place outside. Practice your escape plan twice a year.
When the smoke alarm sounds, get out and stay out.
If you are building or remodeling your home, consider a residential fire sprinkler system.
Roanoke Fire-EMS encourages all Roanoke residents to practice fire safety steps every day. Remember, fire safety is your personal responsibility and fire prevention precautions DO make a difference! The Fire Prevention Division of the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department offers fireplace safety and/ or home fire safety inspections at no cost. Citizens can call 853-2795 to set up an appointment. Citizens in need can also receive a smoke detector at no cost from Roanoke Fire-EMS. For more information, contact 853-5785. For more fire safety information, check out our website at www.roanokeva.gov/fire-ems.
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