Home Safety

Home Safety

TO PREVENT FIRE IN THE HOME

NEVER LEAVE BURNING CANDLES UNATTENDED

NEVER LEAVE FOOD ON STOVE UNATTENDED

KEEP SPACE HEATERS AT LEAST 3 FEET FROM ANYTHING FLAMABLE (SUCH AS CURTAINS, FURNITURE, BOOKS, MAGAZINES,ETC)

USE A FIREPLACE SCREEN TO CONTAIN SPARKS

HAVE YOUR CHIMNEY CLEANED AND INSPECTED AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR

HAVE YOUR HEATING SYSTEM INSPECTED ONCE A YEAR

KEEP MATCHES AND LIGHTERS OUT OF CHILDREN'S REACH

REPAIR OR REPLACE FRAYED ELECTRICAL CORDS

DON'T OVERLOAD FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKER

INSTALL SMOKE DETECTORS/CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS ON EVERY FLOOR IN YOUR HOME, INSIDE OR NEAR EVERY BEDROOM. DON'T FORGET THE BASEMENT

TEST SMOKE/CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS WEEKLY, REPLACE BATTERIES EVERY 6 MONTHS

FOR SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR'S: FOLLOW MANUFACTURERS' DIRECTIONS FOR INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE.

TO PREPARE YOUR FAMILY

ESTABLISH AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLAN FOR YOUR HOME, WITH SEVERAL ESCAPE ROUTES. MAKE SURE EVERYONE IN YOUR HOME KNOWS THEM. HOLD PRACTICE FIRE DRILLS SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR.

DETERMINE A MEETING PLACE OUTSIDE FOR EVERYONE TO MEET IN THE EVENT YOU MUST EVACUATE YOUR HOME.

IN CASE OF FIRE

IN CASE OF FIRE:CLOSE DOORS BEHIND YOU ON YOUR WAY OUT, TO HELP PREVENT FIRE AND SMOKE FROM SPREADING

IF YOU HAVE TO ESCAPE THROUGH SMOKE, CRAWL ON YOUR HANDS AND KNEES.

BEFORE OPENING A DOOR, CHECK THE KNOB AND AROUND THE DOOR WITH THE BACK OF YOUR HAND. IF DOOR FEELS WARM TRY ANOTHER ESCAPE ROUTE. IF COOL, OPEN SLOWLY, IF SMOKE COMES THROUGH CLOSE QUICKLY.

TO HELP PREVENT CARBON MONOXIDE POISIONING

INSTALL A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR.

HAVE FUEL BURNING APPLIANCES, INCLUDING OIL AND GAS FURNACES, GAS WATER HEATERS, GAS STOVES, GAS DRYERS, GAS OR KEROSENE HEATER, FIRE PLACES AND WOOD/PELLET STOVES INSPECTED BY A PROFESSIONAL AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERY HEATING SEASON.

MAKE SURE FLUES AND CHIMNEYS ARE CONNECTED AND IN GOOD CONDITION.

CHOOSE APPLIANCES THAT VENT THEIR FUMES OUTSIDE WHENEVER POSSIBLE. HAVE THEM PROPERLY INSPECTED AND MAINTAIN THEM ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURERS' INSTRUCTIONS.

READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS FOR ANY FUEL BURNING DEVICE. IF YOU CANNOT AVOID USING AN UNVENTED GAS OR KEROSENE SPACE HEATER, CAREFULLY FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS. USE THE PROPER FUEL AND KEEP DOORS TO OTHER ROOMS OPEN. CRACK A WINDOW TO ENSURE ENOUGH AIR FOR VENTILATION AND PROPER FUEL BURNING.

NEVER IDLE A CAR IN A GARAGE, EVEN IF THE GARAGE DOOR IS OPEN. FUMES CAN BUILD UP VERY QUICKLY AND GO INSIDE YOUR HOUSE

NEVER USE A GAS OVEN TO HEAT YOUR HOME, EVEN FOR A SHORT TIME.

NEVER USE A CHARCOAL GRILL INDOORS, EVEN IN A FIREPLACE.

NEVER SLEEP IN A ROOM WITH AN UNVENTED GAS OR KEROSENE SPACE HEATER.

NEVER USE ANY GASOLINE POWERED ENGINES (MOWER, WEED TRIMMER, SNOW BLOWER, CHAIN SAW, SMALL ENGINES OR GENERATORS) IN ENCLOSED SPACES

DO NOT IGNORE SYMPTOMS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISIONING, ESPECIALLY IF MORE THAN 1 MORE PERSON IS FEELING THEM. YOU COULD LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS AND DIE IF YOU DO NOTHING.

CARBON MONOXIDE POISIONING

YOU CAN'T SMELL IT!

YOU CAN'T TASTE IT!

YOU CAN'T SEE IT!

BUT IT COULD BE PRESENT WITHOUT YOU KNOWING IT

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISIONING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

HEADACHES

FATIGUE

UNEXPLAINED ILLNESSES

MUSCLE PAIN

UPSET STOMACH

LETHARGY (SLUGISHNESS)

DIZZINESS

MOST DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE SLEEPING

IF YOU SUSPECT CARBON MONOXIDE POISIONING, SEEK MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY. TAKE A CORDLESS OR CELL PHONE OUTSIDE WITH YOU. CONTACT 911 SO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAN BE NOTIFIED, THEY WILL USE A CO DETECTOR TO DETERMINE THE LEVEL, IF ANY, OF CARBON MONOXIDE IN YOUR HOME. WHEN LEAVING HOME, KEEP ALL WINDOWS & DOORS CLOSED SO THE ACCURATE LEVEL OF CARBON MONOXIDE CAN BE DETERMINED. REMOVE EVERYONE FROM YOUR HOME

How Carbon MONOXIDE kills:

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. It is produced when a carbon-based fuel-such as gasoline, propane, charcoal, or oil-burns. Sources on your boat may include engines, gas generators, cooking ranges, and space and water heaters.

Why is it so dangerous?

Carbon monoxide (CO) enters your bloodstream through the lungs, blocking the oxygen your body needs. Prolonged exposure to low concentrations or very quick exposure to high concentrations can kill you.

Early symptoms of CO poisoning include irritated eyes, headache, nausea, weakness, and dizziness. They are often confused with seasickness or intoxication, so those affected may not receive the medical attention they need.

Altitude, certain health-related problems, and age will increase the effects of CO. Persons who smoke or are exposed to high concentrations of cigarette smoke, consume alcohol, or have lung disorders or heart problems are particularly susceptible to an increase in the effects from CO. However, anyone can be affected. Another factor to consider is that physical exertion accelerates the rate at which the blood absorbs CO.