Fall is here and with it Fire Prevention Week and Halloween

Before you get to this years blog about Halloween and Fall Fire Safety you might want to check out the previous posts for the archives.

http://vasmokeybear.blogspot.com/2010/10/have-happy-and-safe-halloween-from.html

http://vasmokeybear.blogspot.com/2011_10_01_archive.html

This years theam for Fire Prevention Week (October8-14) is Have 2 Ways Out. Although this is specifically talking about home/building evacuations I believe it should also include knowing 2 ways out of your community/subdivision should there be an emergency like a wildfire , hurricane or tornado that might block your usual way out. Below is a coloring sheet I developed for your to talk with your children about while planning for your family's safety.

FALL SAFETY

Time Changes Mean Battery Changes

Get in the habit of changing the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors every fall and spring when changing the clocks for Daylight Savings Time. It is also a good idea to make it standard procedure in your household to verify that all fire extinguishers are fully charged and in working order when you adjust the clocks each season.

Home Heating Tips

No matter what type of device you use to heat your home, making sure your heating devices and/or systems are in good working order is an important part of learning some fall fire safety tips. Many things can go wrong with heating equipment during the spring and summer months. Verify that everything you need to keep your home warm throughout fall and winter is in good working order before you experience the first cold snap of the season.

Central Heating System Safety Tips

• Get your central heating system cleaned, inspected and serviced by a certified HVAC (heating, venting and air conditioning) contractor every year before using it.
• If you have a gas heater, make sure that you have a sufficient quantity of fully functioning carbon monoxide detectors installed in your home.

Space Heater Safety Tips

• Make sure that any space heaters are surrounded by at least three feet of empty space.
• Never place clothing or any other objects on a space heater to dry.
• Do not place space heaters near furniture or drapery.
• Turn space heaters off when you leave the house or go to bed.
• Avoid storing any combustible items near heaters.

Fire Safety Plans Downloadable Safety Plans & Tools Save time. PowerPoints & More Safety.BLR.com

Propane Heaters Trusted & Reliable Propane Heater Service, Sales & Install-Call Today www.QuarlesInc.com

Home Depot Official Site Schedule Heating Installs Online Or Visit Your Local Home Depot Now! www.HomeDepot.com/Installation

Fireplace Safety Tips

• Get your chimney inspected each year to make sure that it is safe.
• Hire a chimney sweep to clean out your chimney every fall.
• Repair any cracks in fireplaces.
• Use fireplace screens to keep sparks and fire debris inside the fireplace.
• Do not every use gasoline to start a fire in the fireplace.
• Never leave a fire unattended.
• Make sure that combustible materials are not stored within three feet of your fireplace.
• For natural gas fireplaces, get all connections and lines inspected before use each season.
• Remember that outdoor fireplaces can be just as dangerous as indoor units, and observe all safety precautions when using them.

Fire Safety Tips for Holiday Decorations

• Do not use candles in Halloween jack-o-lanterns. Flashlights are much safer.
• Make sure that children's costumes are made with fire retardant materials.
• Use only fire retardant holiday decorations.
• Verify that all holiday lights and extension cords have been tested by an organization such as Factory Mutual or Underwriters Laboratory.

Family Fire Safety Tips

• Teach your kids how to respond in the event of a fire.
• Make sure young children know how to dial 911.
• Establish and practice a fire escape plan with your family that includes a designated meeting area outside the home.
• Practice stop, drop and roll with your children so they learn how to escape beneath a fire.
• Teach everyone in your family multiple ways to escape from every room in the event of a fire.
• Make sure that there is a sufficient quantity of smoke detectors in your home.
• Verify each month that smoke detectors are in working order.
• Make sure everyone in your family knows how to use a fire extinguisher.
• Do not place lit candles where they can be reached by children.
• Never leave burning candles unattended.
• Do not leave candles burning when you go to sleep.
• Don't leave cooking food unattended on the stove.
• Keep everything that might be flammable away from your stove.
• Make sure all flammable substances are properly stored in safe containers and out of reach of youngsters.

Outdoor Fall Fire Safety Tips

• Clear your roof and gutters of unnecessary build up of debris, such as pine needles and leaves.
• Learn the outdoor burning regulations in your area, and do not engage in illegal burning of leaves and other outdoor debris.

Safety Matters

There is nothing more important than the safety of your family. Everyone in your home needs to know how to behave responsibly to reduce the likelihood of experiencing a fire. However, because fires can start at any time without warning, it is also very important that the members of your household know how to react in the event of a fire. It's a good idea to review fire prevention and safety tips with your family every fall, and several other times throughout the year.

HALLOWEEN SAFETY

When purchasing a Halloween costume, make sure the label reads "Flame Resistant."

Halloween is a fun holiday but it’s also an important time to practice fire safety. The occurrence of fire increases around Halloween due to arson and the use of candles as decorations. Follow these tips for a happy and fire-safe Halloween:

• If you buy a costume, make sure the label says “Flame Resistant.”  Flame Resistant means the costume will be hard to catch on fire and if it does, the fire will go out fast.
• If you make a costume, try not to make one that is big and baggy so that the material doesn’t touch candles or other flames.  Use flame-resistant fabrics, such as polyester and nylon.  These materials will resist burning if exposed to a flame.
• Tell kids to stay away from candles and jack-o'-lanterns that may be on steps and porches.  Their costumes could catch fire if they get too close.
• Kids should never carry candles when they are trick-or-treating.  Always use a flashlight, flameless candle, or light stick.
• Tell kids to let you know right away if they see other kids playing with matches or lighters.
• Don’t use candles for decorations.  They’re dangerous, especially when left unattended.
• Use only decorative lights tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory.  Check lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections.  Throw away damaged sets.  Don't overload extension cords.
• Check the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website for the latest on Halloween-related consumer product recalls.
• If you have a Halloween party, check for cigarettes under furniture cushions and in areas where people were smoking before you go to bed.
• Remove any materials around your home or property, such as garbage or excess vegetation, which an arsonist could use to start a fire.

---

Halloween Fun and Safety

SMOKEY BEAR PUMPKIN CARVING STENCIL (above in yellow)

DIRECTIONS:

          OPTION #1

1.                 CUT OUT THE “BLACK PIECES” FROM THE SHEET, USING AN X-ACTO KNIFE OR SIMILAR TOOL.

2.                 TAPE STENCIL SHEET ONTO PUMPKIN.

3.                 USE A FINE – LINE MARKER AND DRAW THE IMAGE ‘THROUGH THE HOLES” ONTO THE PUMPKIN.

4.                 CUT THESE PIECES AWAY FROM THE PUMPKIN.

OPTION #2

1.                 TAPE THE STENCIL ONTO THE PUMPKIN.

2.                 USING A PIN OR OTHER SHARP TIPED TOOL “PIN-PRICK” THE EDGE OF ALL THE BLACK PORTIONS OF THE STENCIL.

3.                 REMOVE THE STENCIL, AND CONNECT THE DOTS/PIN-PRICKS WITH A MARKER.

4.                 CUT THESE PIECES AWAY FROM THE PUMPKIN.

OPTION #3  Works well on a real or artificial pumpkin

1.           TRACE THE IMAGE AS OUTLINED IN OPTION #2

2.          INSTEAD OF CUTTING THE SECTIONS COMPLETELY OUT, YOU    

               CAN CUT (OR “DIG OUT”) USING A KNIFE OR DERMEL TOOL   ABOUT ½

                THE THICKNESS OF THE PUMPKIN RIND.

3.          THIS WILL GLOW AND SHOW UP NICELY WHEN LIT FROM THE INSIDE

      WITH A CANDLE OR ELECTRIC LIGHTS.

            OPTION #4

1.     JUST PAINT THE IMAGE ONTO THE PUMPKIN.

Smokey would love to see a picture of you with your Smokey-O-Lantern. You can send them to fred.turck@dof.virginia.gov   we may post some to our web site for others to enjoy.

           

PLEASE HAVE A  HAPPY AND SAFE   HALLOWEEN

Below is a coloring sheet especially made for you by Smokey. Hope you enjoy!

You can right click on it an send to a printer or save/copy into a word document or other program. Make sure your setup to print in landscape.

Halloween
Setting fires on Halloween is not a prank. It is a very serious act that endangers peoples homes, their lives, and costs your community.
The message is simple. Setting fires is a criminal act. Once the fire has been set, the fire takes over.  Your neighbors and their property may not have been the intended target, but they might end up being the victims.
Our forests are dry, even with some recent rains, they are still dry and fires can spread rapidly. Historically, setting fires around Halloween has been common. You may think it is just a prank or a game. IT’S NOT ! It’s a crime against your neighbors.
Fire starters can be held liable for the full amount of all expenses incurred in fighting the wildfire AND all property damages. This could be hundreds, thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.


Arson

Virginia’s prevention efforts have been very successful for all of the causes of fire except arson.  It all depends on the weather and the local conditions, Arson and Debris burning are our 2 top causes of wildfires. In some places Arson is the top cause, in others it’s Debris burning.  Debris fires are significant and continual educational efforts are needed to reduce their numbers.  When the public is made aware of the weather and fuel conditions, there is a significant decrease in the number of debris fires.  Records support a high incidence of debris fires during low to moderate fire conditions.  In very high to extreme conditions, the number of debris fires is minimal.  Raising the level of awareness does work with the public.  Debris fires generally start in accessible areas of someone’s property.  There is no landowner intent to have an escaped fire.  Escaped debris fires are generally reported to the local volunteer fire department or fire agency in a timely manner.  The community often pitches in to help for the safety and protection of their neighbors.

Arson fires, on the other hand, are often started in remote areas, along back roads or trails, and in multiple groupings.  Detection and reporting of the fires is delayed, resulting in larger fires upon initial attack.  The larger fires, and sheer number of starts, demands commitment of available suppression resources.  This creates opportunity for the arsonist to set other fires undetected with little fear or risk of being caught by the fire agencies.  There is no ownership taken in the fire start, therefore the public is less likely to report the fire.  Residents are reluctant to report suspicious activity for fear of reprisal or out of apathy.

·         Help your local fire department and officials by staying alert and reporting unsafe or illegal activities.

Halloween  Pet Safety Tips:

There is a lot of info out there on how to keep all your little ghosts and gobblins safe but what about about your pets safety??

Halloween is a fun and exciting holiday for people, but it can be rather scary for your pet. Here are some tips to keep your pet safe this Halloween:

1. Keep all candy out of reach of your pet. The candy is for trick-or-treaters,

not for your pet. The chocolate and wrappers can be very dangerous if ingested.

2. We all know how cute pet costumes are, but they can pose a threat to

your animal friend. Being dressed up can cause a great amount of stress

on your pet. Also, many costumes contain rubber bands and other pieces

that can be chewed off and create a hazard. If you do decide to dress

your pet up, make sure that it doesn't constrain her movement, hearing

or ability to breathe.

3. If you plan on having a party or get-together at your house, make sure to

put your pet up in a safe place unless he/she is a very social animal. Too

many strangers can be a very scary and stressful environment for your

pet.

4. During peak trick-or-treating time, you should also make sure your pet is

put up at home in a safe place. You should not bring your pet with you to

trick-or-treat and if you are staying at home, you do not want to run the

risk of your pet slipping out the front door when answering the doorbell.

5. Another important item to consider is to make sure your pet has an ID

tag or microchip in place. In the event that he/she does escape or get

lost, an ID increases the chance that your pet will be returned to you (this

includes cats too!).

6. Some other Halloween risk factors are pumpkins and decorations. If you

have a jack-o-lantern, make sure it is in a place where your pet cannot

get to it. The candle inside and the pumpkin itself can be dangerous for

your pet. Pets can easily knock over a lit candle and cause a fire, curious kittens run the risk of getting burned, and if eaten, the pumpkin may cause intestinal blockage. Keep decorations that pets could chew on, like streamers and fake spider webs and wires and cords from electric decorations out of reach. If pets chomp on Halloween decorations they could choke or become ill and, if they chew on electrical cords, they risk a potentially deadly electrical shock. Pets could also become tangled and injured by dangling cords or decorations. We do hope you all have a fun Halloween, but just remember to keep your beloved pet in mind.

If your pet has ingested something potentially harmful, please call 800-213-6680 immediately! Time is a critical factor with potential poisonings. Please be aware that due to the urgency of medical recommendations concerning poisonings and the fact that email is not the optimal venue for providing those recommendations, it is advised that you contact Pet Poison Helpline directly by phone. This telephone-based consultation service is available 24/7.Pet Poison Helpline

General information: 1-866-823-1588
Pet Poison Helpline:  1-800-213-6680

Please have a SAFE and ENJOYABLE Halloween!