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KEEP
THAT COOKOUT FUN
 It’s
hard to beat the flavor of burgers, steaks and chicken grilled
on the barbeque. But the NSVFA Fire Prevention Committee wants
you to use common sense and cook safely. We want to make sure
that the smoke is coming from the grill and not the house or
garage.
If you use lighter fluid use it
sparingly and never on a fire that has already started to burn,
and never use gasoline. The use of a chimney starter is
recommended for both safety and taste.
If you use a gas grill, handle
tanks of compressed flammable gases with caution and follow the
precautions listed on the tank. Be sure all hoses are not
leaking and valves are in good working order.
Be sure your grill is set where
it won’t tip over or be knocked over. Keep away from overhanging
trees, awnings and roofs.
Don’t use ordinary kitchen
utensils for the barbeque. You will need longer handles on
outdoor equipment to keep your hands safely away from the grill.
Keep children away from the grill
and never leave the grill unattended.
Have a fun fire safe grilling
season and if you need more tips you can invite the Nebraska
State Volunteer Firefighters Association Fire Prevention
Committee to your next barbeque. I like mine medium rare!!!!
Dave Heywood
NSVFA Fire Prevention Committee
AWARENESS IS THE KEY
Fire is a powerful and
destructive force that most people do not understand but think
they can survive. Home fires have become the leading cause of
accidental death, but there is a lot that you as fire prevention
personnel can do to prevent fires in the home. That is to let
all the people in your area know the devastation that a fire can
cause. The key to fire prevention is awareness, by letting them
know how home fires start and what they can do to eliminate
them. The leading cause of death from home fires is careless
smoking, with fewer smokers now it is still a large problem. If
you are drowsy, taking certain medications or drinking alcohol
postpone that cigarette until you are alert.
Another important area is the
kitchen. Cooking is also a large cause of fire deaths in the
home and probably the least reported. Let them all know the
dangers of kitchen fires, keep pot handles in and by no means
cook with young children with you. To all the young mothers out
there do not cook with a child on your hip. I used to see my
mother do it and then I never thought of fire safety. Many
kitchen fires start when someone leaves to answer the telephone
or to check on something else in the home.
When you are cooking if you have
to leave the kitchen turn off all the burners. Tell everyone is
there is a stove fire in the pan put a lid on it and if there is
a fire in the oven turn off the heat source and leave the door
shut, the fire will usually extinguish itself, wait a few
minutes before opening the door. Another main cause of fires in
the home is bad wiring and or overloaded circuits. With summer
almost here that window air conditioner should be checked, also
how is it plugged in and to what. And be sure you have all
wiring that needs to be checked be done by a qualified
electrician.
Be sure in the area in which you
live if you have a number of people not from this country,
remember that they have not had any fire prevention training.
You have to begin with fire prevention from day one and go from
there. Yes, it will not be easy but remember there is help out
there and all you have to do is ask.
The NSVFA Fire Prevention
Committee has information on home fire prevention and have a
wealth of information to share, all you have to do is call and
we will be glad to assist you in any way.
Bob Tichota
NSVFA Fire Prevention Committee Member
WATCH WHAT YOU WEAR!
I bet you are wondering how in
the world this has anything to do with fire prevention, how
would the clothes you wear have anything to do with preventing a
fire? I would like to stress the importance of watching what you
wear while cooking. You need to avoid loose long sleeves, much
like those on that favorite comfortable robe or the oversize
long sleeve shirt. Long sleeves can quickly catch fire while you
cook up a tasty meal at the stove.
There is a recent recall notice from the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission (CPSC) that addresses this message also.
The CPSC and Blair LLC of Warren PA are re-announcing the
voluntary recall by Blair of 162,000 women’s full length
Chenille Robes. There have been six reported deaths due to the
robes catching fire. Five of the six victims were female and all
five were cooking at the time of the accidents. Three of the
victims were in their 80’s.
Additional information on this
recall and others may be found at
www.cpsc.gov.
If you are interested in receiving recall notices from the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission I encourage you to visit
their website and enroll in the email program they have to
offer.
Help Celebrate Smokey Bear's 65th Birthday!
As you may know,
Smokey Bear is celebrating his
65th birthday this year. Since 1944, Smokey has educated
generations of Americans about their critical role in
wildfire prevention through his enduring message, "Only You
Can Prevent Wildfires."
You can join the U.S. Forest Service,
the National
Association of State Foresters, and the Ad Council
in their efforts to help celebrate Smokey's birthday and
further the reach of his messages. We have developed a
special toolkit, which features a historical retrospective
of ads, a birthday card and poster, as well as customizable
press materials and suggestions for events and activities.
There are many ways you can celebrate Smokey Bear's birthday
in your communities.
Visit
http://www.smokeybear.com/65BdayToolkit
to download the toolkit materials. If you cannot download
the materials and need a DVD, please send your name and
mailing address to Deb Bruyere,
dbruyere@fs.fed.us, 218-327-4282.
Also, please look out for a new series of Public Service
Advertisements featuring Smokey launching nationwide this
summer.
NEWS from the CPSC
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Jun 17, 2009 -
Wagner Spray Tech Recalls Heat Guns Due to Fire and Burn
Hazards. Hazard: An
electrical component failure inside the heat guns can cause
them to continue to produce heat after the power switch is
turned off. This can melt the heat gun’s plastic exterior,
causing a burn if the heat gun is touched and ignite nearby
combustibles, posing fire and burn hazards..
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Jun 17, 2009 -
Campbell Hausfeld Recalls Air Compressors Due to Fire
Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Wal-Mart. Hazard: The
compressor’s thermal overload, which shuts the unit off when
it overheats, can fail. This can lead to overheating,
melting of parts and a risk of fire.
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Jun 11, 2009 -
Six Reported Deaths Prompt Urgent Re-announcement of Blair
Recall of Women’s Chenille Robes Consumers Urged to Check
for Flammable Robes. Hazard: CPSC
and Blair announced the recall for the robes after Blair
learned of three robes catching on fire.
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Mar 19, 2008 -
Progress Lighting Recalls Ceiling-Mounted Outdoor Light
Fixtures; Lights Can Fall Off Mounting and Injure Consumers. Hazard: A
weld that affixes a mounting bracket to the ceiling pan can
fail, which can cause the fixture to fall and injure nearby
persons.
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Mar 19, 2008 - Salton Inc. Recalls Electric Toasters Due to Fire Hazard. Hazard:
The
toaster can turn on without bread in the slots and ignite items
placed on top of it, posing a fire hazard.
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Mar 6, 2008 -
Hamilton Beach Recalls Toasters Due to Fire Hazard, Hazard:
The toasters can remain “on” (energized) after popping up, and
can ignite flammable items covering or in contact with the
toaster, posing a fire hazard.
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Mar 6, 2008 - Portable Air Compressors Sold Exclusively at Advance
Auto Parts Stores Recalled Due to Fire and Electrical Hazards. Hazard: The
compressor’s motor can overheat and ignite the protective cover,
posing a fire hazard to consumers. Also, the cover might not
prevent internal components from being touched, which poses an
electrical shock hazard.
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Mar 6, 2008 - Pier 1 Imports Recalls Tealight Candle Holders Due to Fire
Hazard Hazard: The
spacing of the holes in a concentrated pattern allows the holder
to heat-up. This can cause the tealights to burn unexpectedly
fast and with a higher flame height than normal, posing a fire
hazard.
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Feb 20, 2008 - Portable Electric Heaters Recalled by Aloha Housewares Due
to Fire Hazard Hazard: The
portable electric heater can overheat and melt plastic parts,
posing a fire hazard to consumers.
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Feb 20, 2008 - Louisville Ladder Recalls Extension Ladders Due to Fall
Hazard Hazard: The
extension or “fly” section can fail to lock, posing a fall
hazard to consumers.
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June 19, 2007
- Gateway Inc. Recalls Notebook Computer Batteries Due to Fire
Hazard. Hazard:
These lithium-ion battery packs can overheat, which could pose a
fire hazard to consumers. This is not an internal battery cell
defect....
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June 19, 2007
- Children’s Necklaces Recalled by GeoCentral Due to Lead
Poisoning Hazard Hazard:
The metal clasp on the necklace contains high levels of lead.
Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause
adverse health effects....
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June 19, 2007
- Far East Imports Recalls Fireworks Due to Eye Injury Hazard.
Hazard: These
fireworks devices can travel in an unexpected and dangerous
direction, which could pose eye and other injury hazards to
bystanders...
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June 19, 2007
- Jakes Fireworks Inc. Recalls Fireworks Sold by World Class
Distributors Due to Burn and Injury Hazards
Hazard: The tubes on
these fireworks devices could become loose, making the devices
unstable during use. If the device tips over during use, it
could pose burn and injury hazards to bystanders....
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May 16, 2007
- General Electric Recalls Dishwashers Due to Fire Hazard - The
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the
firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the
following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled
products immediately unless otherwise instructed...
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April 25, 2007
- Acer America Corporation Recalls Notebook Computer Batteries
Due to Previous Fires
Hazard: The
lithium-ion batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to
consumers..
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March 20, 2007
- Casio® Inc. Announces Recall of Electronic Keyboards Due to
Fire Hazard The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission,
in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a
voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers
should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise
instructed. Hazard:
The recalled keyboards can overheat when in use,
posing a fire hazard to consumers.
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March 9, 2007 -
HSC and CFSI Team Up to Launch Flameless Candle Program...
HSC and the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI)
have partnered to introduce Fire-Safe Flameless Candles, a
safe alternative to traditional candles which may pose fire
risks. CFSI and HSC have launched a fundraising program,
offering flameless candles at discount prices to fire and
emergency services organizations to distribute in their
communities as part of their own fundraising or prevention
programs.
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February 1,
2007 - Maytag Recalls Dishwashers Due to Fire Hazard Hazard:
Liquid rinse-aid can leak from its dispenser and come into
contact with the dishwasher’s internal wiring which can
short-circuit and ignite, posing a fire hazard.
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January 30,
2007 - Old Williamsburgh Candle Corp. Recalls Mason Jar
Candles Due To Laceration and Burn Hazard.
Hazard: The wick
can move from the center of the jar to the side causing the
glass to overheat and possibly crack or shatter.
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January 29,
2007 - Winter Storms Causing Consumers to Reach for
Supplemental Heating
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January 5,
2007 - Family Dollar Stores Recalls Oscillating Ceramic
Heater for Fire Hazard
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December 7,
2006 - CPSC Warns of Fire, Other Hazards Related to Holiday
Decorating
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October 24,
2006 - CPSC Reminds Parents to Keep Trick-or-Treaters Safe
this Halloween.
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October 23,
2006 - Sony Recalls Notebook Computer Batteries Due to
Previous Fires Hazard: These lithium ion batteries can
overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
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October 17, 2006
- Decathlon USA Announces Recall of
Quechua Tents and Canopies Due to Flammability Hazard
Hazard: The tents may fail to meet the industry's flame
resistant standard, posing a fire hazard.
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October 17, 2006
- Light & Motion Recalls Bicycle
Light Batteries for Fire and Burn Hazards.
Hazard:
The battery can overheat, posing a fire or burn hazard to users.
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October 17, 2006
- Starbucks Announces
Recall of 8-Cup Coffee Brewers Due to Possible Fire Hazard.
Hazard: The coffee brewer has defective electrical wiring that
can result in overheating, smoking, burning and melting, posing
a possible fire hazard.
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