Shelton’s four fire companies will help get the word out about fire safety this month.
The Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau, consisting of members of Echo Hose, Huntington, Pine Rock Park, and White Hills Volunteer Fire companies will be involved in various fire safety activities throughout October.
These programs are part of an effort to reduce the chances of residents being injured or killed by fire.
Cooking is the leading cause of residential structure fires and injuries. Unattended cooking is the leading factor contributing to cooking-related fires. For these reasons and many others, the theme for Fire Prevention Week, October 4 – 10, 2009 is “Stay Fire Smart! Don’t Get Burned!”
In addition to cooking fires, a special emphasis is being placed on other leading causes of home fires ‑heating, electrical, smoking materials, and candles.
Throughout October, members of the City’s volunteer fire department will be taking time to teach and promote fire safety at preschools and elementary schools.
During these visits children will be taught the basics of how to prevent and stay safe from fire. They will have a chance to interact with a firefighter in full firefighting gear, and view fire trucks and equipment. The fire department will also kick-off the annual 4th and 5th grade, fire prevention poster contest, as well as the annual 6th grade essay contest.
Most fires are easy to prevent from ever happening.
Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Chief – Fire Prevention, states that many common fires may best be prevented by giving special consideration to use of candles, paying extra attention when cooking, using heating equipment and never smoking in bed or where one might fall asleep. Each of these activities carries with it a risk of fire, but that risk can be greatly lessened if you follow some common sense safety tips:
- Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking. Many fires start from “unattended” cooking.
- Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them inspected and cleaned annually by a qualified professional.
- If you smoke, put it out, all the way, every time.
- Keep things that can burn away from light bulbs, light fixtures, and lamps. For any suspected electrical problems, call a qualified electrician.
- Use flashlights during emergencies, not candles. If using candles, blow them out when leaving the room, and keep them away from things that can burn.
Preparing for fire is equally important as preventing one. While a residential fire sprinkler system within the home provides the best protection, every home should at least have working smoke alarms installed on every level or preferably every room. Alarms should be tested monthly and batteries should be replaced every year.
Chief Pisciotta is encouraging business, organizations and individuals throughout the city to visit the Fire Prevention Bureau web site, which may be found by clicking on “Public Safety” at www.cityofshelton.org.
Easy to print and post fire safety tips are available. In addition, information may be copied and pasted by visitors into newsletters, etc.
