Search The Internet For The Answer...

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Thanksgiving top day for cooking fires









NEWS RELEASES:

NFPA urges caution when preparing for dinner this year

Thanksgiving remains the leading day for cooking fires, with three times as many cooking fires as an average day. That’s according to statistics by the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which also found that cooking equipment fires are still the leading cause of U.S. home fires and fire injuries, and the third leading cause of fire deaths. On Thanksgiving 2008, U.S. fire departments responded to 1,300 home cooking fires compared to 420 such fires on an average day.

“Thanksgiving is a holiday of feasting, but it’s also a day of intense cooking, when stovetops and ovens are working overtime,” says Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of communications. “These culinary activities bring an increased risk of fire particularly when people are trying to prepare several dishes while entertaining friends and family.”

According to NFPA, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 154,700 home structure fires involving cooking equipment between 2004 and 2008. These fires caused an average of 460 civilian deaths, 4,850 reported civilian fire injuries, and $724 million in direct property damage. Overall, these incidents accounted for two of every five (41%) reported home fires, 17% of home fire deaths, more than one-third (37%) of home fire injuries, and 11% of the direct property damage resulting from home fires. Three of every five people (59%) injured in a cooking fire were hurt when they tried to fight the fire themselves

Unfortunately, little progress has been made in reducing deaths from home cooking fire. The average of 460 deaths per year in 2004-2008 was only 7% lower than the 500 per year in 1980-1984. Meanwhile, fire rates among other types of home fires have steadily declined.

Unattended cooking was by far the leading contributing factor in cooking equipment fires. Ranges or cooktops were involved in the majority (59%) of home cooking fire incidents; ovens accounted for 16%. Clothing was the item first ignited in less than 1% of these fires, but these incidents accounted 15% of the cooking fire deaths.

NFPA offers the following cooking safety tips.

Cook with caution:

  • Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or stovetop.
  • Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
  • If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
  • Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.

If you have a cooking fire:

  • Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
  • Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.
  • If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out.
  • Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
  • For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
NFPA is a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.



Wednesday, November 10, 2010

A Fireman's Prayer

































(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

IN LOVING MEMORY...















James S. Williams

When someone you love becomes a memory...the memory becomes a treasure. Our hearts were saddened with the passing of James S. Williams, 58, on November 7, 2010. Jim is survived by his mother, Mabel; wife, Vicki; sons, James "Howdy" (Laura) Williams, Jason "Big Jake" (Crystal) Williams, Justin "Duke" (Michelle) Williams, Jerred "Jed" (companion Danielle Preece) Williams; brother, Christopher (Carole) Williams; sister, Ann (Jay) Ball; sister-in-law, Irene Williams; ten grandchildren; his in-laws, Corinne and Kenneth Seaver, Charles and Sharon Atchison; aunt, Betty May Shear; uncle, Fay Morris; several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Jim was predeceased by his father, Howard; son, Joie; brother, Stephen; and granddaughter, Katrina. He was a graduate of Tioga Central High School Class of 1970 and was drafted into the US Army where he proudly served his country. On July 3, 1971 he married Vicki Atchison and together they made Nichols their home. Jim was a bricklayer for over forty years and was employed by Strope Newton Construction for the majority of his career as well as ACE Masonry upon his retirement. He was a life member of the Nichols Fire Department where he served as Past President and Lieutenant for the Fire Police. He also was a member and Past President of the NY Hereford Association. Jim enjoyed farming, fishing, hunting, leather working and spending time with his family. Family and friends are invited to attend funeral services and a celebration of Jim's life on Wednesday, November 10th, at 11 a.m. at the Sutfin Funeral Chapel, 273 S. Main St., Nichols with Pastor Alan Bill officiating. Interment will follow in the Nichols Cemetery. A period of visitation and time of sharing memories will be held on Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Memories and condolences for Jim's family maybe shared by visiting our website at www.sutfinfuneralchapel.com. Flowers will be provided by the family and memorial contributions may be directed to the Barton United Methodist Church, 511 Old Barton Road, Barton, NY 13734 or Lourdes Hospice Home Care, 4102 Old Vestal Road, Vestal, NY 13850 in loving memory of James S. Williams.


REF: Published in Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin on November 8, 2010


(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

Friday, November 5, 2010

Time To Change Smoke Detector Batteries....





Once again it is time to change the batteries in your home smoke alarms. 70 percent of fire deaths come from homes without a working smoke alarm. In the Spring we Spring forward and then in the Fall we Fall back by turning the clocks back one hour. In either case it's a time to ensure the smoke alarms have the necessary power and are all in working order. Change out all batteries with fresh brand new batteries.

Here's a YouTube video showing you a very good view of how simple with little effort it is to change the smoke detector battery:



REMEMBER smoke detectors/alarms do have expiration dates also and should be replaced with new ones after ten years of use. Check the backside of the smoke detector when changing the batteries and there should be a year of expiration for the unit.

ALSO REMEMBER to test smoke detectors/alarms each month.

For some great additional information concerning smoke detectors/alarms please visit the
U.S. Fire Administration web site. Go over the information with family members so all are informed of the importance of having these early warning devices in the home.


Stay Fire Smart! Don't Get Burned!
Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With. Where There's Smoke, There Should Be a Smoke Alarm!

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

Search The Internet