Simple and easy takes to move spring forward and keeps your house fire safety at the same time. Here are easy tips and strategies to keep tasks.Change Your Smoke Detector Batteries As You Change Your Clocks.Daylight Saving Time means setting the clocks forward and it's a chance to consider fire safety. We want to remind you that while it is important to have smoke detectors installed throughout your house, it is not enough to simply install and forget about them. Twice a year, it's critical that you test your smoke detectors and replace their batteries.This task is to change your smoke detector batteries as you go through your house to change your clocks. At the same time, it can be helpful to dust or vacuum the detectors to keep them free of debris that can interfere with their operation. This habit twice a year could save the lives of you and your loved ones. Click here for more detailed Smoke Detector safety informationWe provide some ways to consider fire safety while doing your spring cleaning this year.
Small Appliances: Appliances throughout your home should be cleared of dust and grime that has collected on both the units, the counters that it sits on, and their electrical cords.
Grease should be removed from the outside of kitchen appliances with a slightly damp rag. Last but not least, the greased pan underneath the toaster oven and other appliances that have contact with grease should be cleaned as well.
Large Appliances: Area underneath and around your washer and dryer units should be cleared of dust and stray materials. Also, take a look at the dryer vents that should also be cleaned.
Refrigerators take a lot of extra time and a big job of cleaning the condenser coils at the back. The coils collect dust, grime, and need to be wiped clean and vacuumed to keep the condenser functioning. If you have a self-defrosting unit remember to empty and clean the tray at the bottom of the unit.
Electrical Cords: Check the cords of your washer and dryer units, television, a stereo system, a computer, and small appliances such as the coffee pot, microwave, and toaster oven. The cords should not be frayed, split, or bare and should be unplugged and wiped clean with a dry cloth.
Any frayed, split, or bare electrical cords that you find while cleaning should be repaired or replaced to avoid the danger of electrical fires. Systems such as stereos, computers, and televisions, which have multiple electrical cords, should be connected through a power strip with a circuit breaker protection to avoid overloading a single electric outlet. Make sure that cords are placed at least 2-3 inches away from the wall and are not run underneath rugs.
Spring Safety
Most important part during spring cleaning is to make sure you go around and check your...
Winter Safety
Festive celebrations, flickering lights, and winter greens are hallmarks of the holiday season, but they also present fire risks that can quickly turn this festive time of year into a devastating one.Holiday decorations-
U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 840 home structure fires per year that began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees, in 2011-2015. These fires caused an annual average of two civilian fire deaths, 36 civilian fire injuries and $11.4 million in direct property damage.
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Ten percent of decoration fires were intentional.
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The decoration was too close to a heat source such as a candle or equipment in two of every five (42%) fires.
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More than one-fifth (21%) of the decoration fires started in the kitchen. Fifteen percent started in the living room, family room or den.
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One-fifth (19%) of the home decoration fires occurred in December.
Source: NFPA's "Home Structure Fires Involving Decorations" report
Candles-
Candles started more than one-third (36%) of home decoration structure fires.
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More than half (55%) of the December home decoration fires were started by candles, compared to one-third (32%) in January to November.
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The top three days for home candle fires were Christmas, New Year’s Day, and New Year's Eve.
Source: NFPA's "Home Structure Fires Involving Decorations" report
Holiday cooking-
Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by the day before Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
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Cooking equipment was involved in 19% of home decoration fires. This can happen when a decoration is left on or too close to a stove or other cooking equipment.
Source: NFPA's "Home Fires Involving Cooking Equipment" report
Fireworks-
Ten percent of fireworks fires occur during the period from December 30 through January 3, with the peak on New Year's Day.
Source: NFPA's "Fireworks" reportChristmas trees:- Between 2011-2015, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 200 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. These fires caused an average of 6 deaths, 16 injuries, and $14.8 million in direct property damage annually.
- On average, one of every 32 reported home fires that began with a Christmas tree resulted in a death, compared to an average of one death per 143 total reported home fires.
- Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in two of every five (40%) of home Christmas tree fires.
- In one-quarter (26%) of the Christmas tree fires and in 80% of the deaths, some type of heat sources, such as a candle or equipment, was too close to the tree. One quarter (24%) of Christmas tree fires were intentional.
- Forty-two percent of reported home Christmas tree fires occurred in December and 37% were reported in January.
- More than one-third (37%) home Christmas tree fires started in the living room, family room, or den.
Source: NFPA's "Home Structure Fires Involving Christmas Trees" reportPicking the Tree-
Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.
Placing the Tree- Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 2" from the base of the trunk.
- Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
- Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.
- Add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily.
Lighting the Tree- Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use.
- Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read the manufacturer's instructions for the number of light strands to connect.
- Never use lit candles to decorate the tree
- Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.
After Christmas — Get rid of the tree after Christmas. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside against the home. Check with your local community to find a recycling program. Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.-
Winter Safety
Festive celebrations, flickering lights and winter greens are hallmarks of the holiday season, but they also present fire risks that can quickly turn this festive time of year into a devastating one.
MOBILE SAFETY IN GENERAL:Just as in chat rooms and social sites, kids need to think about who they text and talk with. They should never text/talk about sex with strangers. Phones should only be used to communicate with people they know in the real world.BULLYING BY PHONE:
Since young people’s social lives increasingly fold in cell phones as well as the Web, cyber-bullying, and harassment have gone mobile too. Talk with your kids about how the same manners and ethics you’ve always taught them to apply on phones and the Web as in “real life.”
MOBILE SOCIAL NETWORKING:
Many social sites have a feature that allows users to check their profiles and post comments from their phones. That means some teens can do social networking literally anywhere, in which case any filter you may have installed on a home computer does nothing to block social networking. Talk with your teens about where they’re accessing their profiles or blogs from and whether they’re using the same good sense about how they’re social networking on their phones.
SOCIAL MAPPING:
More and more cell phones have GPS technology installed, which means teens who have these phones can pinpoint their friends’ physical location – or be pinpointed by their friends. Talk with your kids about using such technology and advise them to use it only with friends they know in person.
MEDIA-SHARING BY PHONE:
Most mobile phones we use today have cameras, some video cams – and teens love to share media with friends on all types of mobile devices. There is both a personal-reputation and -safety aspect of this. Talk with your teens about never letting other people photograph or film them in embarrassing or inappropriate situations (and vice versa). They need to understand their own and others’ privacy rights in sharing photos and videos via cell phones.
SMARTPHONES:
We’ve already been over many smart- or 3G-phone features above, but remember they usually include the Web. That means more and more people can access all that the Web offers, appropriate or not, on their phones as well as computers. Mobile carriers are beginning to offer to filter for the content available on their services, but they have no control over what’s on the Web. Parents of younger kids might want to consider turning off Web access and turning on filtering if they’re concerned about access to adult content.
Internet Safety
Important to know what your kids look up on the computer and any other device.Monitor them.Educate them.Keep them Safe.
During the summer months children tend to be:- Outdoors more
- Home alone more
- Supervised less
We Believe No Child Should Be At Risk:- A parent or guardian is the best person to teach a child about personal safety.
- There is no perfect age to begin teaching children about personal safety.
- A child’s ability to comprehend and practice safety skills is affected by age, educational, and developmental levels.
Safety Tips to Teach ChildrenTheir name, address, telephone number- How to use the telephone
- Whose homes they may visit when you’re not there
- Where they may and may not go in the neighborhood
Home Alone Safety: Teach Children- Not to open the door unless you have instructed them it is okay in each and every instance
- Not to tell anyone they are home alone
In case of an Emergency: How to reach you?- Cell phone, work phone
- Who else they may call
- Neighbors, family members, other trusted adults
Potentially Dangerous Situations: Teach ChildrenHow to recognize and avoid potentially dangerous situations- To say NO and make a scene
- To immediately get out of these situations
- To immediately tell you or another trusted adult if something happens
Vehicle Safety: Teach Children- Never to approach or enter a vehicle, occupied or not, unless accompanied by you or another trusted adult
General Tips for Adults: Stranger-Danger MythDo not confuse your children with the concept of strangers- Statistically incorrect
- Kids don’t “get it”
- Adults don’t model it
- Inability to access help
Remember most children are victimized by someone they know, love, or trustKnow Where They Are:- Know their daily habits
- Know their friends
- Check in with them
- Have them check in with you
- Make sure they are supervised when outside and away from home
Listen and Observe
- Where don’t they want to go?
- Who don’t they want to see?
- Is someone showing them too much attention?
- Has their behavior or attitude changed?
Precautionary Measures:- Take color photographs every 6 months
- Keep a description of your child
- Keep copies of your child’s fingerprints
- Consider having a DNA sample taken from your child
- Know where your child’s medical records are located
Summer Safety Tips
General Idea and tips to make sure that your child(s) understand summer safety and what to do in case of an emergency.
BEFORE BARBECUING
- Check your grill thoroughly for leaks, cracking or brittleness before using it.
- Check the tubes leading to the burner regularly for blockages. (Refer to your specific grill manufacturer's instructions)
- Make sure the grill is at least 10 feet away from your house, garage, trees and/or overhangs.
- Store and use your grill on a large flat surface that cannot burn (i.e.- concrete or asphalt).
- Don't use grills in a garage, porch, deck or on top of anything that can catch on fire. Never use a propane barbecue grill on a balcony, terrace or roof. It is both dangerous and illegal.
- Keep children away from fires and grills. It is a good idea to establish a safety zone around the grill and instruct children to remain outside the zone. A chalk line works great for this purpose.
- Have a fire extinguisher, a garden hose attached to a water supply, or at least 16-quarts of water close by in case of a fire.
- Before getting a propane cylinder filled, check for any damages to it.
- Never transport or store propane cylinders in the trunk of your automobile.
DURING BARBECUING
- Don't wear loose clothing that might catch fire.
- Use long handled barbecue tools and/or flame resistant mitts.
- Never use any flammable liquid other than a barbecue starter fluid to start or freshen a fire.
- Never pour or squirt starter fluid onto an open flame. The flame can easily flashback along the fluid's path to the container in your hands.
- Keep alcoholic beverages away from the grill, they are flammable!
- Never leave the grill unattended.
- Never leave the grill unattended.
AFTER BARBECUING
- Always follow the manufacturer's cleaning and storing instructions that accompany the grill.
- Keep your grill clean and free of grease buildup that may lead to a fire.
- Never store liquid or pressurized fuels inside your home and/or near any possible sources of flame.
BBQ SAFELY
- When lighting your propane barbecue, make sure all the connections are secure and open the lid and strike your match or lighter BEFORE turning on the gas.
- ALWAYS shut off the propane fuel at the grill and at the bottle after you have finished barbecuing. Otherwise, this will lead to fire hazards, such as leaks and faulty regulators.
- Store your BBQ and propane cylinder outdoors.
- Refer to and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the safe use, cleaning and maintenance of your BBQ.
- Test your cylinder for leaks on a regular basis. When testing for leaks, never use matches or an open flame. Use soapy water or a leak detector.
- Store your cylinder away from heat and insert a safety plug on the valve.
IN CASE OF A BARBECUE FIRE
- For PROPANE Grills - turn off the burners. If you can safely reach the tank valve, shut it off.
- For CHARCOAL Grills - close the grill lid. Disconnect the power to ELECTRIC Grills.
- If the fire involves the tank, leave it alone. Evacuate the area and call the fire department right away.
- If there is any type of fire that either threatens your personal safety or endangers property, call the Fire Department.*
- NEVER attempt to extinguish a grease fire with water. It will only cause the flames to flare up. Use an approved portable fire extinguisher.
BBQ Safety
Make sure your BBQ isn't inside, near anything that might or may caught on fire. Learn more about BBQ safety before and after using on.
Beach Safety Tips
- Make sure and only swim when lifeguards are on duty.
- Ask the lifeguards about water conditions before going in the water.
- Swim in an area near a lifeguard tower inside the swimming area. If you don't know where the swimming area is and/or ends ask a lifeguard on duty. (Swim inside and between the GREEN FLAGS)
- Never dive into the water headfirst. The water is not always clear and you may not notice any obstructions or how shallow the water in front of you is.
- Don’t swim out too far or overestimate your swimming ability. Never depend on flotation devices for your safety. Swim parallel to the shore if you want to swim long distances.
- Never drink alcohol and after go swimming.
- ALWAYS keep an eye on your children. Don’t turn away, even for a moment. Children can fall below the surface in a second and it can be impossible to find them fast enough.
- Always hold the hands of younger children. Sudden changes in water direction can separate them from you in an instant.
- Wear “Water Shoes” or sandals on the beach to avoid broken glass, sharp shells, and/or other sharp objects such as needles. If you find a needle, DO NOT pick it up. Get a lifeguard for them to dispose of.
- Lightning strikes at the beach are common in thunderstorms. If you hear thunder, get out of the water immediately. Seek shelter in a building or automobile. If no shelter is available, find the lowest spot possible, and avoid open spaces. Don't sit under an umbrella and stay away from metal objects like aluminum chairs.
- LIFEGUARDS WILL TELL YOU TO LEAVE THE BEACH FOR YOUR SAFETY.
If you get into trouble in the water, don't panic. Raise and/or wave your arms and scream for help if you can, float and wait for assistance. Wear sunscreen, with at least a level 15 sun protection factor, to protect against burns and to apply it every 20 to 30 minutes or right every you get out of the water even if the sunscreen says its waterproof.
Pool Safety Tips:Unfortunately, it takes just seconds for a child to drown. Drowning is the leading cause of death in many states for children under the age of five. Most of these children drown in their own backyard swimming pool, but others drown in buckets, bathtubs, toilets, dog water bowls, canals, and ponds. Small children are top-heavy, and they don't have the upper body strength to lift themselves out of one of these dangerous situations. Even if the child survives the incident, they are often left with permanent brain damage. Drowning and near-drowning can be prevented, and you can help! Anyone involved with the supervision of children needs to be aware of the dangers associated with any body of water.
Beach & Water Safety
Like most people this summer. When the tempter rises, you’ll grab the kids, load the car and head out for the beach. Just don’t forget to keep the safety of yourself and your loved ones in mind. Learn some more info on beach safety.
Household chemicals can be dangerous… To avoid the potential risks associated with household hazardous wastes, it is important that people always monitor the use, storage, and disposal of products with potentially hazardous substances in their homes. Improper disposal of HHW in Bayville, Centre Island, and Mill Neck can present serious problems. Pouring chemicals down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or in some cases putting them out with the regular trash can cause serious environmental issues.
The dangers of such disposal methods might not be immediately obvious, but improper disposal of these wastes can pollute the environment and pose a threat to human health. Certain types of HHW have the potential to cause physical injury to sanitation workers, contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems if poured down drains or toilets. They can also present hazards to children and pets if left around the house.
Some quick tips for the safe handling of household hazardous wastes include:
- Follow any instructions for use and storage provided on product labels carefully to prevent any accidents at home.
- Be sure to read product labels for disposal directions to reduce the risk of products exploding, igniting, leaking, mixing with other chemicals, or posing other hazards on the way to a disposal facility.
- Never store hazardous products in food containers; keep them in their original containers and never remove labels. Corroding containers, however, require special handling.
- When leftovers remain, never mix HHW with other products. Incompatible products might react, ignite, or explode, and contaminated HHW might become unrecyclable.
- Use the Town of Oyster Bay STOP program for the collection and safe disposal of HHW.
- Remember, even empty containers of HHW can pose hazards because of the residual chemicals that might remain so handle them with care also.
Consider reducing your purchase of products that contain hazardous ingredients. Learn about the use of alternative methods or products—without hazardous ingredients—for some common household needs. When shopping for items such as multipurpose household cleaners, toilet cleaners, laundry detergent, dish soap, dishwashing machine pods, and gels, bug sprays and insect pest control, consider shopping for environmentally friendly, natural products or search online for simple recipes you can use to create your own.
Household Hazardous Waste
To avoid the potential risks associated with household hazardous wastes, it is important that people always monitor the use, storage, etc.
Smoke Detectors:
Smoke detectors save lives and every home should have multiple smoke detectors to keep people safe.
There are many brands of smoke alarms on the market, but they fall under two basic types: ionization and photoelectric.
Ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms detect different types of fires. Since no one can predict what type of fire might start in their home, the USFA recommends that every home and place where people sleep have:- Both ionization AND photoelectric smoke alarms OR Dual sensor smoke alarms, which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors.
- Choose interconnected smoke alarms, so when one sounds, they all sound.
- There are also alarms for people with hearing loss. These alarms may have strobe lights that flash and/or vibrate to alert those who are unable to hear standard smoke alarms when they sound.
- Smoke alarms are not expensive and are worth the lives they can help save.
Alarm type and cost:
- Ionization and photoelectric: $6 and up
- Dual sensor: $24 and up
- Smoke alarms with a microprocessor (faster to alert, fewer false alarms): $30 and up
- Radiofrequency/wireless (communicate from one to the next without wires): $40 and up
Place smoke alarms inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area. A smoke alarm should be placed on every level of the home. Place smoke alarms on the ceiling or high on the wall. Check the manufacturer's instructions for the best place for your alarm.
Check your smoke alarm every month.
Home Fire Safety
Learn more about Smoke detectors to ensure your safety inside your home.
Senior Care SafetyGuard against falls:- Install rails along the staircase, in the bathroom.
- Secure windows, block stairways, and lock doors.
- Replace unstable or slippery rugs and runners.
- Ensure the floor is always clean, clear, and dry
Senior & Children Care Safety
We always know how important it is in taking care of your child or a loved one. Some safety measures and tips that might give you a hand.
