Safety Tips for the home

“Holiday Safety”

Halloween Safety

Decorations

· Try to avoid using candles, use battery powered lanterns or glow light sticks

· Always keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach

· If you use lighters, buy ones with a child resistant feature

· Do not over load electrical outlets with lighting or special effects

· Adults should assist children when carving pumpkins

· Keep porch and walkways clear by eliminating tripping hazards

Costumes

· Wear costumes that are bright, light colored or reflective

· Make sure shoes fit well

· Use fabrics that are flame retardant (check label)

· Avoid costumes that can cause tripping or entanglement

· Wear a mask of non toxic cosmetics applied directly to the skin

· Mask eye holes should be large enough for peripheral vision

· Use reflective tape on costumes and Trick or Treat bags for visibility

· Use props such as knives or swords that are flexible, not rigid or sharp

· Remember to Stop, Drop and Roll if your clothes catch on fire

Trick or Treating

· An adult should accompany young children

· Children should travel in-groups or have at least 2 buddies

· Children and their escorts should use flashlights with fresh batteries

· Walk, do not run

· Obey all traffic and pedestrian rules

· Cross the street at the corner or at a cross walk

· Stay on well-lit streets and use the sidewalks and driveways

· Only go to homes that have a light on, in a familiar neighborhood

· Do not cut through back alleys and fields

· Accept treats only in the doorway, never go inside

· Be cautious of strangers, never enter a stranger’s home or car

· Never consume treats or drinks that may be offered

· No treats are to be eaten until they are thoroughly checked by an adult

· Give out age appropriate items, be aware that some items can cause choking

· Drive cautiously throughout the community

· Party goers should establish a designated driver when necessary

· Prepare household animals for the sights and sounds of the evening

· Have a specific route of where to go and make sure the whole family knows it

· Wear a watch and keep to your schedule

· Teach children how to call 9-1-1 if they have an emergency or become lost

· Always be polite and say thank you

Christmas

· When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does

not mean the tree will not catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should

extinguish quickly

· Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from

faulty lights, and a person touching it could be electrocuted

· When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. Fresh trees are green, the needles are

hard to pull from branches and when bent between your fingers, the needles do not break.

The bottom of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground the tree should

not lose many needles. The fresh cut surface should be creamy-white so that the tree will be

able to drink water.

· Choose a sturdy stand that holds at least one gallon of water.

· Make a fresh cut across the tree's base and immediately place in water. Keep the tree's

water container full at all times, checking the water level daily. Dispose of tree when needles

begin to fall off easily or if it turns brown

· Wash the debris off tree. When you get your tree home, spray it with water to remove all

dead needles and dust.

· When setting up a tree at home, place it a minimum of three feet away from fireplaces,

radiators and other heat sources. Remember, heated rooms dry out live trees rapidly

· Make sure all light sets are listed and approved, by looking for the "UL" symbol from the

Underwriter Laboratories on a label or package

· Check each set of light strands, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare

wires, or loose connections. Throw out damaged sets and replace non-working light bulbs

· Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord

· Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house

· Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree

· Beware of children and pets around decoration that have potential of causing them injury if

touched or ingested

· Never decorate Christmas trees or other evergreens with lighted candles

· Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass "angel hair"

· Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial

snow sprays

· Never burn Christmas trees or wrappings in a fireplace or wood stove

· Keep the emergency escape route clear of trees, packages, and furniture

· Consider having your tree sprayed with a State Fire Marshall or NFPA approved flame-retardant

chemical

· After Christmas, remove your tree from the house as soon as possible. The best alternative is

to RECYCLE your tree either through your city or county program.

Winter & Holiday Safety

The cold winter months of November through March are approaching as well as the holidays. The

holidays are a time for celebration, which means more cooking, decorating, and heating.

Accidents involving fireplaces, candles, unattended cooking and heating equipment are a major

cause of home fires. Most of these fires can be prevented. The Asbury Fire Company

encourages residents to be fire safe for the winter holidays to come. The following are Fire Safety

tips to help make your winter and holiday season safer.

Fire Place

· Have your chimney inspected by a professional before each heating season and cleaned if

needed

· Before lighting, check flue to make sure it is open

· Keep a screen in front of fireplace at all times

· Completely extinguish fire before closing the flue

· Chimneys are required to be equipped with spark arresters

· Store ashes in a metal container with a tight fitting metal lid outside the home

· Never dispose of a Christmas tree in the fireplace

· Keep paper, kindling and flammable materials three feet away from fireplace

· Avoid using the fireplace during extreme wind conditions

· Avoid hanging stockings on the mantel when using the fireplace

· Do not burn trash, paper or green wood in your fireplace

· Make sure the fire is out before going to bed or leaving the house

Heating Equipment

· Maintain furnace filters periodically

· Place space heaters a minimum of three feet away from combustibles

· Turn heating equipment off before going to bed or leaving the house

· Maintain vents when using portable gas heaters, never use unvented gas heaters indoors

· Charcoal barbecues are for outdoor use only

Decorating and Lighting

· Decorate with flame-resistant or non-combustible materials

· Use lights and electrical decorations that are UL listed (check labels)

· Inspect light strands prior to use

· Unplug lights before changing the bulbs or fuses

· Do not overload an extension cord, remember they are for temporary use only

· Use precaution hanging lights with nails and staples, they can damage cords

· Turn lights off before going to bed or leaving the home

· Avoid areas where the cords can cause a tripping hazard

· Keep out of the reach of small children and pets

“Calling 9-1-1”

This phone number is to be used when you have an emergency in the Warren County New Jersey area. It is an easy

number to remember so make sure everyone in your family knows how and when to dial 9-1-1. It

can mean saving a home, property, or even a life. The more effectively you can report the

emergency the quicker the response time will be. Every second counts in an emergency and by

calling 9-1-1 you can help save precious time. Make sure your address is clearly visible from the

street; emergency personnel may be delayed because addresses are not clearly marked.

How to use 9-1-1

Dial 9-1-1

Please stay calm and speak clearly

Listen to the communications officer and follow all directions

· Be prepared to give the following information…

· Your name

· Exact nature of the problem or describe the emergency

· Location or directions where help is needed

· The phone number to the location if one is available

If you are reporting an accident, you'll be asked if there are injuries. Are lanes of traffic are

blocked? How many vehicles are involved? If you can determine if people are trapped or if

dangerous substances are involved, that information will be helpful, also.

If you report a fire, tell the dispatcher what's on fire, exactly where it is and if it seems to be

spreading. If you can stay on the scene to direct firefighters to a fire that is not easily seen from

the road, you would have provided a great service. Reporting crimes in progress can be

dangerous - so be careful. Don't take any unnecessary chances. If you can safely determine what

kind of crime is in progress and if there are any weapons involved, tell the Communications

Officer. If there are any injuries, report that so medical personnel can be notified as well. Do not

hang up until the 9-1-1 Dispatcher tells you to do so.

When should you dial 9-1-1?

9-1-1 should be dialed when an ambulance, fire unit, sheriff, or police officer is needed.

Emergencies are fires, car accidents, crime situations, and severe medical emergencies.

How 9-1-1 works

When you dial 9-1-1, your call is received by a telecommunication operator who is responsible for

processing your call. The operator determines what agency is needed and what type of services

to dispatch. The priority of the call will determine the response time in which the call will be

dispatched. If your emergency requires fire or ambulance, the operator will immediately send the

information to the appropriate agency. (Please help provide quick response time by knowing as

much of the information as possible before calling):

Tips when calling from cellular telephone

When calling from a cellular telephone, we recommend that you stop the vehicle on the side of

the road before dialing. Remember that the communications officers will not know where you are

so let them know exactly where the emergency is located. You should be prepared to provide

your direction of travel, the street name you are on, and / or physical landmarks such as buildings

or major intersections.

Tips when calling from pay/coin telephones

When calling "9-1-1" from a pay telephone the call is free.

Tips when calling from business telephones

Some businesses are required to dial an outside access number (such as "9" or "8") prior to

dialing ""9-1-1"". If you are unsure about the telephone system you are calling from, please be

sure and ask!

Children and 9-1-1

When teaching children about 911, they should be made aware of it’s importance. 911 is for emergencies only, and not for prank calls. Prank calls to 911 unduly tax the 911 system, and may cause a delay to someone who may really need help. A common mistake small children make with 911 is believing that the "11" part of 911 is actually an eleven. Children should understand that a "1" must be pressed twice.

Smoke Detectors

Twice a year when daylight savings occurs in April and October, change your clock and change your batteries in your smoke detectors.

Batteries weaken with time and should be replaced regularly. When you change your clocks, change your smoke detector batteries. Remember to also test your smoke detector’s monthly to ensure that the unit is working. Testing your smoke detector is usually accomplished by pressing the “test” button on the face of the smoke detector. If your smoke detector does not sound, check the battery. If it still will not sound after a new battery is installed, replace the entire unit with a new smoke detector. Smoke detectors should generally be replaced every ten years. You may also clean your smoke detector yearly by vacuuming out the dust. As a reminder; never paint any part of a smoke detector.

When installing a new smoke detector, please follow the manufactures suggested guidelines that come with the smoke detector. Addition information may be requested from the Asbury Fire Company. We have various pamphlets available, including ones on smoke detectors at your request. Additional reference on smoke detectors may be found at the following websites:

http://www.statefarm.com/homesafety.htm or http://www.firstalert.com or http://www.energizer.com/learning/FireSafety.asp

Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers used properly can be effective against small fires. There are certain conditions that you must follow before attempting to use an extinguisher;
1) First, know how to use the fire extinguisher before an emergency. There is no time to try to read the instructions on its use during a fire.

2) Alert other occupants that there is a fire so they may exit, and for someone to call 911 to alert the fire department. Depending on your occupancy, alerting others may be done by pulling a local alarm box if you have this type of alarm system.

3) Make sure you have the right fire extinguisher for the class of fire, and that you have an exit to your back in which to escape. DON’T put a fire between you and an exit in which to escape.

4) Use the “PASS” word as a reminder for using the fire extinguisher:

P pull the pin out
(this will break the plastic seal used to hold the pin in)

A aim at the base of the fire with the nozzle, or hose

S squeeze the levers together to discharge the extinguisher

S sweep the fire from side to side while aiming at
the base of the fire

The classes of fires:

Class A: Ordinary combustibles such as wood, cloth, and paper
Class B: Flammable liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, oil, and oil-based paint
Class C: Energized electrical equipment such as a TV, computer, stereo, etc.
Class D: Combustible metals such as magnesium

Basic types of fire extinguishers:

ABC Dry Chemical: Multipurpose type, useful for class A, B, and C fires
Carbon Dioxide: Useful on class B and class C fires
Water: Used only on class A fires

ABC Dry Chemical fire extinguishers are the best type to purchase for the home.

If you have a fire, get out and stay out, and call 911 from a neighbors house.

To receive additional fire safety information related to other topics. Contact the Asbury Fire Company @ 908-537-4177. We have various pamphlets available, including ones on fire extinguishers and firefighters to answer questions.

FIRE PLAY: When a Child’s Curiosity Can Kill!

At least 40% of all set fires involve youngsters, and 65% of those are caused by children between 5 & 9 years old experimenting with matches & lighters.

The real problem is that curiosity about fire is a very normal part of growing up, especially for boys between 5 & 9. Normal, though does not mean “okay”. Most fires caused by children occur at home, where there is most danger to lives & property, even when adults are on hand. Only auto accidents injure more kids than fires.

Discuss fire safety in your home with your family. Ensure your home has a working smoke detector to help protect you against the threat of fire. Teach your family the dangers of fire, and how to escape your home if fire should occur. Also, KEEP MATCHES & LIGHTERS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN! Set a good example by taking special care when using them. Children learn best by imitating the adults around them.

Kitchens

Kitchens can be a dangerous area in the home and account for a high number of fires and injuries.

The reason most cooking fires happen is that someone leaves the kitchen when there is something cooking on the stove. Watch the stove, so you’ll be able to respond quickly if food bubbles up or if something goes wrong. It is important to pay attention to the cooking area and remove hazards, such as knick-knacks or other combustibles that are placed too close to the burners. Prevent kitchen fires by following a few basic fire safety tips: Be alert while using kitchen appliances, Don’t leave cooking unattended, Keep kitchen appliances clean, and keep flammable objects clear of the stove.

Extinguishing Grease Fires:

Built up grease catches fire easily. Wipe appliance surfaces after spills and clean stove surfaces, ovens and appliances regularly. An appropriate sized lid should be kept near the stove to cover and smother any grease fire contained in a pan. Baking soda can also be used. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire.

Please feel free to contact the Asbury Fire Company for more information or questions regarding this topic.

Carbon Monoxide Detector

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and toxic gas. It is produced as a by- product of combustion. (Combustion refers to a heat producing, chemical reaction between some substance and oxygen) Carbon monoxide is abbreviated as "CO".

What produces Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is produced by gas or oil home appliances and also fireplaces, wood burning stoves, and automobiles; through the exhaust.

Why is Carbon Monoxide dangerous?

Carbon monoxide is dangerous because it displaces oxygen in the body needed for life. If appliances are improperly vented, Carbon monoxide levels could build up and poison occupants.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning, which are similar to the flu, are headache, dizziness, fatigue and nausea.

Protect yourself and your family from the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning by:

1) Install a CO detector with an audible alarm near sleeping areas

2) Maintain and inspect gas fired home appliances for proper venting

3) Do NOT start an automobile in a closed attached garage

House Numbering and its importance

In the event of an emergency, are your home or business address numbers visible to emergency responders? Help the Fire & Police, Department's, along with the ambulance / EMS find your address quickly. By ensuring your home or business have its numbers posted, and that they are clearly visible from the street. Follow these general hints to help ensure your numbers are visible:

1) Use numbers at least 4 inches high

2) Use numbers that contrast the color of your home or business

3) Ensure that trees or shrubs do not block the view of your numbers; trim back as necessary

4) Provide lighting to numbers during evening hours to ensure visibility

5) Check to see if your numbers are indeed visible, by viewing them from the middle of your street

Exit Drills In The Home (EDITH)

To escape a house on fire; first maintain working smoke detectors in your home, and second; have a plan in which to escape your home in case of fire. EDITH is very important along with having working smoke detectors. Once a smoke detector goes off in your home, members of your household along with yourself should react, by using your preplanned escape route to exit safely from a fire. Use the following steps to develop your escape plan.

1) Plan your escape

2) Draw a simple floor plan of your home, showing two ways out of each room

3) Ensure all household members understand the escape routes from the plan

(Make sure routes are clear, and that the doors and windows on the route can be opened properly. Crawl while using your escape route, it is safer because heat and smoke rise in a fire)

4)Practice your escape plan at least twice a year with your household members and test your smoke detectors monthly while changing the batteries twice a year (A tip to remember is: change your clock, change your batteries)

5)Agree on a meeting place outside where everyone can meet after exiting the home (This will allow for a head count and allow the arriving fire fighters to gain information about possible missing members, and the fire inside)

Remember; People who live in an apartment building should use the stairways and NOT the elevator to escape to the outside. Some high-rise buildings may use a "defend in place" plan dependant on the fire location. Know your escape plan before a fire happens.

Additional information on EDITH, with blank floor plan grids may be found at:

http://www.nfpa.org/search.asp?query=edith or
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/kids/ep.htm

Electrical Safety

Home Dangers

Every year nearly 4,000 Americans die in home fires and approximately 25,000 are injured. Electrical fires are one of the leading types of home fires, especially in manufactured homes. By following some simple rules on electrical safety you can reduce the likelihood of an electrical fire in your home.

Some clues that you may have an electrical problem are:

1. Flickering lights. If the lights dim every time you turn on an appliance that circuit is overloaded or has a loose connection.

2. Sparks. If sparks appear when you insert or remove a plug, they could be a sign of loose connections.

3. Warm electrical cord. If an electrical cord is warm to the touch, the cord is underrated or defective.

4. Frequent blown fuses or broken circuits. A fuse or circuit breaker that keeps tripping is an important warning sign of problems.

5. Frequent bulb burnout. A light bulb that burns out frequently is a sign that the bulb is too high a wattage for the fixture.

Prevent Electrical Problems

Studies of electrical fires in homes show that many problems are associated with improper installation of electrical devices by do-it-yourselfers. Common errors that can lead to fires include the use of improperly rated devices such as switches or receptacles and loose connections at these devices. Both can lead to overheating and arcing that can start fires. Fires are still caused by people using the wrong size fuse or even putting a penny behind a fuse when they don't have a spare. These practices are very dangerous. The fuse is a safety device designed to limit the electricity carried by the circuit to a safe level. Electricity and water are a bad combination. All electrical devices installed outdoors should be specially designed for outdoor use. Outdoor receptacles as well as those in kitchens, bathrooms, and anywhere else near water should be the ground fault circuit interrupting type (GFCI).

Use Electrical Devices Safely

Light bulbs, especially the newer halogen types, get very hot and can ignite combustible materials that get too close. Clothing or towels should never be placed atop a lampshade and table lamps should not be used without a shade where they might fall over onto a bed or sofa. Most light fixtures are labeled to show the brightest bulb that can be safely used in that fixture; too high a wattage bulb can cause the fixture to overheat and start a fire. Extension cords are a common cause of electrical fires. You must be careful to use only extension cords that are rated for the power used by the device they are powering. Extension cords should never be used as a long term solution to the need for another receptacle. Extension cords must never be run inside walls or under rugs or furniture. Extension cords can get warm in use and must be able to dissipate this heat or they can start a fire.

Maintain Electrical Safely

The insulation on electrical cords can become damaged by wear, flexing, or age. Do not use any cord that is stiff or cracked.

“Candle Safety Tips”

Candles are no longer used for the occasional dinner party. Residents now use candles in their

living rooms, family rooms, dens and bathrooms. Candles may become hazardous when used

improperly or in an unsafe manner. Reduce the chance of a fire, by following these simple safety

tips." The Asbury Fire Company recommends the following when burning candles:

· Keep candles in sight and extinguish them when leaving a room or before going to sleep.

· Keep burning candles at least three feet away from furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets,

books, paper, flammable decorations, and other combustible materials.

· Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets. Do not place lighted candles where

they can be knocked over. Do not allow candles in a child’s room.

· Read and carefully follow all manufacturer instructions. Do not burn a candle for longer

than the manufacturer recommends.

· Trim candlewicks to 1/4 inch each time before burning. Long or crooked wicks cause

uneven burning and dripping.

· Always use a candleholder specifically designed for candle use. The holder should be

heat resistant, sturdy and large enough to contain any drips or melted wax. Be sure the

candleholder is placed on a stable, heat -resistant surface.

· Keep burning candles away from drafts, vents and air currents. This will help prevent

rapid, uneven burning, smoking and excessive dripping. Drafts and ceiling fans can also

blow lightweight curtains or papers into the flame where they could catch fire.

· Never touch or move a votive or container when the wax is liquid. Allow candle to cool

before trimming wick, relighting or replacing a lid.

· Extinguish pillar candles if the wax pool approaches the outer edge.

· One of the safest ways to extinguish a candle is to use a candlesnuffer, which helps

prevent hot wax from spattering. Do not leave the room until the wick stops glowing.

· Flashlights and other battery-powered lights are a safer light sources than candles during

a power failure.

· Never use a candle as light when you go into a closet to look for things.

· Never use candlelight when fueling equipment such as a lantern or heater. The flame can

ignite the fumes.

· A well-made candle should not soot or smoke when burning properly. However,

noticeable smoking will occur whenever a candle’s flame is disturbed, which allows

unburned carbon particles (soot) to escape. In fact, any candle can be made to smoke by

causing the flame to flicker.

· Avoid walking with lit candles.

· Keep candles away from flammable liquids.

· Light candles carefully, Keeping hair and clothing away from the flame.

· Store matches and lighters up high, out of sight or preferably in a locked cabinet.

· If your clothes catch of fire stop what you’re doing, drop to the ground, and roll around

while covering your face until the flames are put out.

· Extinguish the flame if it comes too close to holder or container. Discontinue using the

candle when 2 inches of wax remains. (1/2 inch if in a container). This can also prevent

heat damage to the holder and surface.

· Be very cautious during the holidays and keep candles away from Christmas Trees,

decorations and centerpieces.