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February 10th, 2008
Special Smoke Detector Concerns
During a recent
officer’s meeting at the Yeadon Fire Company, Chief Craig Jeffries outlined
several concerns about an ongoing problem.
These concerns are not problems unique to Yeadon.
The focus of these concerns were related to Smoke Detectors.
Finding
Smoke Detectors that do not work, as well as noticing improper installations
have been long-standing problems. Chief
Jeffries added that the non-working concerns result from both malfunctioning
devices as well as those where the battery has been robbed for some other use or
the battery is dead.”
The ceiling location of a Smoke Detector in an area having a ceiling fan
and an installation at the top of the basement stairs are two of the more common
improper installations, cited Yeadon’s fire chief.
The stagnant air trapped above a ceiling fan shields the sensing elements
within a Smoke Detector. He added a
similar problem exists when a Smoke Detector is installed at the top of the
stairs connecting the basement and the first floor.
A closed door prevents a flow of air and smoke from the basement up to
the Smoke Detector.
A more efficient location for a Smoke Detector in a room having a ceiling
fan is on a side wall and below the level of the fan’s blades.
Similarly, installing a Smoke Detector for the protection of the basement
would be on the basement ceiling or the area’s side walls.
The final area discussed at this meeting may prove to be most troubling.
He began his discussion by saying, “It is going to be difficult to tell
people they should remove from protective service and properly discard a working
Smoke Detector. After all, we have
spent a lot of time and effort telling the public how important these
life-saving devices are and now we must tell these same people they don’t last
forever.”
Research has found the average life of a Smoke Detector is 10 years.
Inspection is finding more and more Smoke Detectors that are older than a
decade. “The costs of Smoke
Detectors continue to drop. Please don’t live ‘on borrowed time’ and try
to stretch the life of an older Smoke Detector,” urges Chief Jeffries.
Smoke Detectors do save lives and property when they are “vital” and
properly installed and maintained. The
members of the Yeadon Fire Company who professionally protect the community
through their volunteer efforts stress, “Treat your family to safety by
following this advice.”
February 8th, 2008
Heart Health is a theme of February
One of the important events in is Valentines Day. As a
symbol of this special day, the heart and the color red will for many become a
reminder of the romantic aspects of the heart.
The Yeadon Fire Company, with its long and rich history of health
education also sees this familiar red symbol as a reminder of good heart health.
Continuing in his role as the
Yeadon Company,
Trying to find ways to lessen and
control the impact of stress is a portion of the prevention practices. Assistant
Chief DiIenno adds that our diet and a general lack of regular exercise are also
contributing to the increasing number of heart conditions.
In an air of optimism,
The most important step is seeking
the advice of a medical professional and then following that advice.
DiIenno volunteers, “Better nutrition helps in these steps of avoiding
a dangerous heart problem and please add the proper amounts and kinds of
exercise.”
These steps that have been
outlined by Yeadon’s Assistant Chief will
have an even greater effect when there is a companion effort of reducing the
many kinds of daily stress. Experts
advise the “art “ of worrying rarely produces positive results. The common
result is an elevation of blood pressure and a collection of unhealthy bodily
reactions.
Concluding his heart safety message, Yeadon’s Mike DiIenno states, “Seeing February’s many images of red hearts should be a reminder that changes in lifestyle, a healthier diet, exercise, and a calmer reaction to the world around each of us can help reduce the dangers of environmentally contributed heath problems. A visit to the doctor can aid in identifying and help in reducing the heredity contributions to potential problems Remember that doing nothing may be a killer.”
February 6th, 2008
Another Label Warning
Parents having children
that exhibit reactions to peanuts and other similar food products have learned
to read and re-read container labels. In
reviewing this precaution, the Yeadon Fire Company’s Emergency Medical Advisor
Mike DiIenno stressed, “The peanut allergy problem is thankfully being treated
with an increasing degree of concern. Better
labeling now informs container readers with a second warning.”
This
newer warning, in addition to a listing of any peanut products, now shares the
information of any manufacturing steps that may have used equipment that could
have been formerly used in processing peanut products. “The manufacturers are
beginning to seriously cover all of their bases,” cited Assistant Chief
DiIenno
An
even newer label on an increasing number of containers also has a newer focus on
peanuts. This warning is universally
relevant. Advisor. DiIenno stresses
the importance of this warning: “While these newer warnings may vary in size,
styles, and location. The heart of this message applies to all children,
including those with no allergic reactions.”
This warning has a
focus that deals with a topic many adults have not adequately addressed.
Children under the age of six should not be given nuts. In a simple, but
effective explanation, Yeadon’s Emergency Medical advisor clarified his
statement, “The size of peanuts and many other types of nuts can result in
choking. Avoid this newly document
danger by not permitting small children to consume whole nuts or segments of
nuts.”
February 4th, 2008
HEATER DANGERS
The changing morning and
late afternoon temperatures are often responsible for the use of a home’s
supplemental heaters. While these heaters can warm a specific area within a
home, these “extra” heaters also have a sad record as the source of
otherwise preventable fires. A far too often sudden or short-term low
temperature results in the use of electric and kerosene heaters.
Yeadon Fire Chief Craig Jeffries adds that these temperature fluctuations
have an unwanted experience of starting house fires.
In
the discussion about heaters, Chief Jeffries warning included, “It doesn’t
matter which kind of supplemental heater is used. They all have the potential to
produce fires and, unfortunately death as well.”
These
reported deaths could have been prevented. Whether
an electric heater, a wood pellet stove, a kerosene heater, or a fireplace, they
each have been cited in national headlines as sources of fatal fires.
With the exception of an electric heater, each of these heating sources
also creates an additional problem – they create carbon monoxide.
` The
first step in the safe use of liquid-fueled heaters is a knowledge that fuel is
indeed kerosene and never gasoline. Innocent
mistakes have been the cause of many explosive kerosene heater type fires.
A small error can level a home in an explosion from the use of the
incorrect fuel. All burning produces
the desired heat but also the dreaded Carbon Monoxide. “This colorless,
odorless gas is documented killer. Proper ventilation and maintenance contribute
to the prevention of deaths by Carbon Monoxide, stressed Yeadon’s Jeffries.
The
proper placement of a supplemental heater contributes to safety or lack of
safety of these units. No heater
should be near stairs, block any exits, and never closer than 36-inches from a
wall or furniture. “Concerns about
the safety of both children and pets must be addressed when all supplemental
heaters are used,” volunteered Yeadon’s fire chief.
All
homes must have Smoke Detectors if the home is to be considered to be safe.
“If your home is using a supplemental heater, add additional units,”
warned Chief Jeffries.
Everyone considering the purchase and use of a supplemental heater must
be guided by the requirement that all units must have certification by a
nationally recognized testing laboratory. There are dangers in every kind of
heater. Recent figures reported that there were about 10,900 residential fires
and about 190 deaths associated with portable or fixed local heaters.
In
concluding his winter warnings, Chief Jeffries reminded residents, “National
figures have stated there were about 100 deaths from carbon monoxide from
heating systems, ranges/ovens, and water heaters and the impact from these
sources takes on a special importance. Think and act safely. Don’t become a
statistic”
January 7th, 2008
With the possibility of true seasonal weather, the Yeadon
Fire Company suggests some simple, but effective changes in family indoor
habits. The periodic arrival
of cold temperatures and the possible threat of snow, the play styles of young
family members change. Instead of
being outdoors, the play area returns to the home.
The return to good safety habits helps assure this “inside play” will
be safe play. The attraction
of good smells often draws children to the kitchen. The curious nature of
children draws them to the cooking area. The
local firefighters renew their safety suggestions for stovetop cooking when they
remind cooking parents to always turn the handles of cooking utensils to the
rear of the stove. This simple
practice prevents burns from a spilled pot or an injury from the contact with a
falling cooking utensil.
The standard, stern warning, “Hands Off,” for a hot oven can be aided
with the use of the oven light. Looking
into the lighted oven through a window in the oven's door is far safer than an
inquisitive helper trying to pull open the oven door.
The local firefighters know that
children can be super active during the first days of inside play.
To help prevent falls and trips, tuck all light and appliance cords out
of the way of the youthful playmates.
In describing indoor activities, Chief Craig Jeffries stressed, “Safety
is simple, but to be effective, it must be practiced.
Winter, with all its challenges is no time to forget the simple steps of
keeping safe.”
January 10th, 2008
The
comment, “Winter has arrived,” was a common comment during the first days of
2008. This recent cold weather and earlier flirtations with cold temperatures
have proven some concepts well known by people in traditionally colder climates.
Yeadon Fire Company Emergency Medical Advisor Mike DiIenno has shared a
primer of winter outdoor safety ideas.
Dressing for cold weather is a good beginning.
Assistant Chief DiIenno reminds parents and children of the concept
foster by grandparents and validated by experience from people playing and
working out-of-doors. “The insulation of trapped air provided by wearing
several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing is far better than wearing
an encumbering single layer,” advises DiIenno.
The concept of efficiently using the body heat can also be experienced in
the choice of what is worn on the hands. “Hands
are warmer when mittens are chosen instead of gloves,” adds Yeadon’s
Emergency Medical Advisor.
There is one additional safety concept cannot be ignored. Wearing a
winter hat can easily prevent the great amount of the loss of body heat through
an uncovered head.
or walking in deep snow may
cause a heart attack in older and less physically fit individuals.”
January 22nd, 2008
A
recent telephone call from a professional colleague proved to be an eye-opener.
The rhetorical question behind my surprise realization was simple and direct:
“Very few fires are truly accidental, are they?”
This
thought comes from Greg Felton, a home office employee of a fraternal insurance
company headquartered in
Borrowing
from the philosophy of Defense Driving, wherein they stress that following rules
and standards of safe driving largely eliminates the risks that contribute to
accidents. Living within established standards and rules can eliminate the
concept of “accidental” fires. The active discussion resulted in the
agreement that when people relax their adherence to both rules of common sense
and actual rules based upon experiences, the number of fires can be dramatically
reduced.
Yeadon
firefighters have believed for many years that when people take short cuts or
they fail to follow rules and standards, a fire or accident occurs.
When there is no firmly established cause for a fire, the unexplained
explanation is often covered by the term accidental.
The local firefighters stress that better planning, the reading and
following of instructions, and adding safety concepts to all actions and
activities will contribute to the reduction of the numbers of fires and
emergencies.
A
sad history of fire deaths in Yeadon that were the result of burning candles is
an example of fires that some may term accidental.
In each instance some intentionally lit these candles.
These deaths were not accidental, but the actions of carelessness.
When
this philosophy was shared, someone came back with the question, “What about
lightning fires? Acknowledging that
value and protection provided by properly installed and maintained lightning
rods and lightning arrestors, the probable elimination of a lighting strike
removes the concept of this type of “accidental
loss.”
The
ultimate goal suggested by Yeadon firefighters is to eliminate the temping
“catch all” phrase of an accidental fire.
As long as the actions of people contribute to fires and accidents,
there is in reality no such thing as an accident.
\
Please
do your part to eliminate what is often incorrectly or unknowing called an
accident
L James Biddle, CLU
Public Information Officer
Yeadon Fire Company No#1
January 30th, 2008
As individuals age, their reflexes and other traits such
taste and smell change. As many
experts state, the first step in adjusting to this natural process is the
admission that people change with maturity.
In discussing this concept, the Yeadon Fire Company’s
Emergency Medical Advisor Mike DiIenno cited several potential problems when
this recognition and appropriate changes are made.
Addressing the potential dangers, Assistant Chief DiIenno joined all
firefighters in their concerns about candles.
Unattended candles have a bad reputation.
They are known sources of fires and fire-deaths.
“As appealing as candles may be, they are dangerous.
This is a simple danger to avoid by avoiding the practice of burning
candles,” volunteered Yeadon’s veteran health advisor
Candles, while uniformly viewed as
dangerous by firefighters, have even greater dangers when they are used in homes
with children and pets. The dangers associated with candles are judged to be
even more dangerous when they are used in residences where there are older
adults or individuals with physical handicaps.
One universal recognition in the
dangers of burning candles was cited by Yeadon’ DiIenno.
He stressed, “The once common practice at Christmas was to illuminate
the Christmas tree with groups of well-placed, miniature candles.
Because of education and the recognition that these candles started fires
resulted in the elimination of candles on trees.”
Candles that have been forgotten
or left unattended have become the official start of some very disastrous fires
in American homes. Maturing
individuals acquire varying degrees of memory problems. Even at the minimum,
this aging process results with remembering items of varying importance. Candle
fires have resulted from this process.
With more and more grandparents
sharing or totally undertaking the care of young grandchildren or persons with
development illnesses and problems, the candle dangers have impact in areas
where visitors and other people need special safety protection.
Having a burning candle in this environment is an invitation to disaster.
The calming associated with
fragrances can be achieved with devices other than a burning candle. As was
cited several years ago by the Yeadon Fire Company, candles and pets are a
dangerous combination. The seemingly
innocent path of passing cat and its swishing tail resulted in the cat’s tail
coming in contact with the flame of candle that was felt to be safely isolated
on an elevated piece of furniture.