SAFETY TIPS
Fair

Fair Play Fire Department is dedicated to providing fire prevention and related safety education.   At least annually members meet with Fair Oak Elementary students to talk about fire safety.  I'm still not sure who has more fun, the students or the firefighters.   We also hold a Community Safety Day every year.   To see pictures, click here.

If you didn't change your smoke detector batteries when the time changed, please take the time to do this life-saving task.   A few minutes of your time now can make the difference between life and death in a fire emergency.

Thanksgiving Safety - Turkey Fryers

Click on the link below to see a video from Underwriters Laboratories about the dangers of turkey fryers:

http://www.ul.com/global/eng/pages/offerings/perspectives/consumer/productsafety/turkeys/

 

If you absolutely must use a turkey fryer, please use the following tips.

  • Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other flammable materials.
  • Never use turkey fryers in a garage or on a wooden deck.
  • Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
  • Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you do not watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
  • Never let children or pets near the fryer even if it is not in use. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot hours after use.
  • To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.
  • Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
  • Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water do not mix, and water causes oil to spill over causing a fire or even an explosion hazard.
  • The National Turkey Federation (NTF) recommends thawing the turkey in the refrigerator approximately 24 hours for every five pounds in weight.
  • Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. If the fire is manageable, use your all-purpose fire extinguisher. If the fire increases, immediately call the fire department for help.

Although these tips seem like they are just "common sense", every year there are many fire and medical emergencies caused by the improper use of turkey fryers.    Please make your holiday a safe one for you and your family.

 

TIME CHANGE AND BATTERY CHANGE

A very easy way to remember to check the operation of your smoke detector and change its batteries is to do this twice a year when the time changes to and from Daylight Saving Time.  You may decide that a once-a-year battery change is sufficient with alkaline batteries.  But please pick a date that you will remember, and change that battery.   If your smoke detectors are wired into your electrical system, they should still be checked to make sure they are operating properly.  All smoke detectors have a test button that when pressed will sound an alarm.   If the alarm does not work when you test your detector, there is a problem that needs to be resolved.  If you are unable to reach your detector , call your fire department to see if they can help. They can also advise you on where you should place your smoke detectors.

Smoke Detector Neglect:

●    Although smoke detectors are present in 94 % of American homes, 20% do not work, mostly because of dead or missing batteries. That means roughly 19 million homes are at risk due to non-working smoke alarms and another 6 million homes are at risk due to no smoke alarms.

 ●   In the U.S. roughly 80% of fire deaths result from fires in homes without working smoke detectors.

 

 

Keep your interior doors closed in your home! 

It's a simple safety tip that doesn't cost a dime, can be the difference between life and death, and is often overlooked when firefighters teach home safety.   It is nearly as important as having a working smoke detector in the home.  Why?  It gives you time to react to a fire in your home, keeps a fire from spreading as quickly, and gives us more time to get there to save you and your home. 

 

 

Pressurized cans and hot vehicles...a dangerous combination.

 

We received this in an email recently.  Use this as an example to expect the unexpected, especially during extreme hot and cold weather.  Click on the thumbnail to see a very clear picture, but be aware it's about 200k in size.

   Attached is a picture of a pressurized can that exploded in a person's vehicle and imbedded itself in the back seat of the car. The metal backing in the seat stopped it from penetrating the seat completely. The temperature outside of the closed up vehicle was about 100 degrees F. nothing unusual for Texas summers. The can had directions on it about not being stored above 140 degrees F. Think about what it might feel like if you had been sitting in that seat.

Do you or anyone you know keep pressurized cans in their car? Please take a minute and e-mail them this message or print a copy and give it to them next time you see them....remember, life is fragile....handle with care.