Holiday and winter safety tips
December 8, 2010
Weldon Spring, MO
The holiday season and old man winter are here. The Firefighters and Staff of the Wentzville Fire Protection District want everyone to have a safe 2010 holiday season. We know that family and friends will be gathering for parties. Decorations and lights will be hung throughout the homes, businesses and neighborhoods. The fire District encourages everyone to put fire safety into their celebrations as well as the fun.
Amid our holiday celebrations there are decorations and lighting. Many families use candles as a way to celebrate the Holidays like their parents did. Candles account for many of the fires nationwide associated with Olde-Tyme Christmas celebrations. In the past several years, the Wentzville Fire District has responded to a number of fires caused by unattended candles or candles that were knocked over. Statistics for fires started from candles are not easily tracked. But the fires caused by them are real and dangerous. Here are few tips on how to safely use candles.
- Never leave a burning candle unattended, or while sleeping.
- Keep candles at least 3 feet from flammable and combustible material. Keep lit candles away from curtains and off of shelves
- Use a candle holder that is sturdy, that won’t tip over easily, that is made from materials that can’t burn and is large enough to collect the dripping wax.
- Light and keep candles beyond the reach of children.
- Never use candles to decorate the Christmas tree!
This time of year also sees families enjoying the warmth and peacefulness of a fire in the Fireplace or Wood Stove.
- Never burn trash in the Stove/Fireplace; this includes wrapping paper, present packaging and Christmas Trees.
- Never use Gasoline or other flammable liquids to start a fire.
- Empty ashes into a METAL container with a tight fitting lid. Keep the container off the floor. DO NOT EMPTY INTO GARBAGE CANS UNTIL THE ASHES ARE COMPLETELY COOLED. This may sound silly, but a number of house fires have been caused by putting ashes in a paper or plastic bag and into a plastic garbage can.
Holidays are also a time of cooking large meals for family and guests. Kitchen fires happen when you least expect them. Usually, the person cooking only leaves the kitchen for a short period of time, only to come back and find a fire on the stove or in the oven. Here are some helpful tips to have a safe time in the kitchen.
- Never leave the kitchen when cooking and continuously check items baking in the oven.
- Keep pot holders and other combustible materials (cookbooks, food packaging, etc.) off the stove cook top.
- Never cook using loose fitting clothes, always wear tight fitting clothing or roll up your sleeves.
- A Fire Extinguisher should be kept near the kitchen in case of emergencies.
- Establish a 3 foot “kid-free zone” around your stove while you are cooking. Also, turn the pots so children cannot grab them.
In case of a fire in or on any of the cooking appliances, here are some tips on how those should be handled.
- Grease Fires: if a pan of food catches fire, don’t throw water on the fire and use a fire extinguisher as a last resort. This can splatter burning grease and spread the fire. Instead, smother the fire by sliding a lid over the pan; turn the burner off, if this can be done safely. Prevent flare-ups by holding the lid firmly in place until the pan has cooled. Always, call 9-1-1 with any fire.
- Microwave Fire: Call 9-1-1 then keep the door closed and unplug the microwave. Have the microwave serviced before you use it again.
- Oven Fires: turn off the oven and keep the door closed. Move any flammable or combustible material from the vent at the rear of the cook top. Call 9-1-1 to get the Fire Department.
With the holidays, we travel to see friends and family. The winter months bring many changes
in weather conditions. All drivers need to use caution when driving during snow storms and sub-zero weather. Road conditions can change in a matter of minutes. Always drive the speed limit, it is better to be a few minutes late than not to get to your destination at all. Everyone should have a winter car safety kit set up in their car. This can contain: a small shovel, ice melt or road salt, blankets, drinking water, a flashlight with extra batteries and road flares. Another helpful item is your cellular phone. Many accidents have occurred where the vehicle is off the roadway and is not seen for 1 or 2 days. Your cell Phone is your link to get help.
Many of us use space heaters to warm parts of our homes. Use extreme care with these heaters. Keep them away from furniture and curtains. Don’t hang or lay clothing on them to dry. Always make sure that space heaters are off before you leave the house or go to bed. If the space heater uses KEROSENE, always use the correct fuel. NEVER use Gasoline or other flammable liquids in the heater. Always make sure the burning wick is out before leaving home.
Another thing to think about in the Winter months is make sure your home has a working Carbon Monoxide detector. Carbon Monoxide is a gas that can’t be seen, tasted or smelled. It can kill you before you realize its there. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is produced by appliances that are fueled by gas, oil, kerosene or wood. CO is produced if these appliances are not installed, maintained or vented properly. The Fire District recommends that you install at least one CO detector in your home near the sleeping area. A second detector should be installed near the home’s heat source to provide even more protection. Some symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu, but without the fever. They include: Dizziness, Nausea, Headache, Fatigue and Irregular Breathing to name a few. Remember, if you have any of these symptoms and if you feel better when you go outside your home and the symptoms reappear once you are back inside, you may have CO poisoning. Call 9-1-1 for immediate assistance from the Fire Department and Ambulance District.
To assist the Firefighters and other Emergency Services in finding your residence, please make sure your home or business address is clearly visible from the street or road. The Fire District recommends that the address be at least three inches in height and be in a color that contrasts with the color of the building. For more specific examples please contact the Fire inspection Bureau. The fire district is also a member of the Emergency Beacon Program. The emergency beacon is either an adapter which turns your porch light into a flashing light or a special switch that makes your porch light flash. These devices are offered free to seniors (60 years or older), veterans and those with medical or physical handicaps. This program is sponsored through the Mid-East Area Agency for Aging. Help keep your neighborhood safe during the winter months by keeping the snow away from all Fire Hydrants.
The Firefighters and Staff of the Wentzville Fire Protection District wish all of our communities a happy and fire safe holiday season. For more information please on fire safety or the Wentzville Fire Protection District, please check out the fire district web-site at www.wentzvillefire.org or call the fire district office at 636-327-6239.
The Wentzville Fire District covers 88 square miles of Western St. Charles County and includes the cities of Wentzville, Foristell, Flint Hill, and Josephville; as well as large portions of Lake St. Louis, Dardenne Prairie and O’Fallon.
From the Wentzville Fire District
Copyright 2010 Neighbors About Town
