Let summer begin!

For Spanish click here

It’s finally here … the official first day of SUMMER! Fire Chief Scott Goldstein is kicking off the department’s 2019 “Summer of Safety” campaign and inviting you to follow along. Each week throughout the summer MCFRS will be highlighting a different safety topic.

 DYK that summer is commonly referred to as “trauma season” among public health and medical professionals because unintentional deaths and serious injuries increase dramatically among children? With children out of school and crossing streets without the help of crossing guards or adults, it is no surprise that they are at higher risk of being injured by motor vehicles in the summer months. That bike helmet somewhere in the garage? Not optional equipment. It can keep a fall from causing a fatal brain injury. A four-sided fence can help prevent a toddler from entering a pool and drowning. And a correctly installed car seat can help keep a child alive during a car crash. 

At MCFRS, it's simple. Nothing is more important than your safety. Whatever your plans are this summer we’re here to help keep your adventures as safe as they are fun. Stick with us all summer and see what you learn. It might just save a life!

Going on Vacation? Safety Starts Before You Leave Home

·         Never put your home address on your luggage tags. Write your phone number instead.

·         Make copies of all of your credit cards, important identification information, including your medical insurance cards. Take one copy with you (pack it separately from the cards themselves) and leave one copy at home.

·         Make sure all of the doors and windows to your home are secured and locked. It sounds like a no-brainer but many thieves gain access through unlocked windows and doors. 

·         Never post your travel plans on social media networks. The pictures of your non-stop fun and adventures are great – just wait until you return home to post.

·         Let your trusted neighbors know you’ll be away so they can keep an eye on your home while you are away.

·         Have your mail held at the post office and your newspaper delivery put on hold or ask a family member, friend or neighbor to pick them up for you.

·         Set automatic timers to turn your lights on.

When on Vacation Consider Taking a Vacation from Social Media

Be careful about the information you share on social media. Do not publicly post check-ins at distant locations or photos from the airport with details about your vacation plans – you may be letting the entire world know that your home will be empty. Think twice before you post!  

Going Out Of Town? Do Not Take A Vacation From Fire Safety!

Getting ready to go out of town? The summer months are not the time to take a vacation from fire safety. Be sure to check your home before leaving to minimize the risk of fire while you are away and review these important safety tips:

Your Home

• All stoves and electrical appliances should be turned off or disconnected.
• Unplug all television sets, computers and radios. Lightning storms or sudden electrical surges can damage or even cause a fire in these types of equipment.
• When you return, check to make sure all smoke alarms are working.
• Tell a trusted neighbor your departure and return dates. Supply an itinerary with phone numbers where you can be reached in the event of an emergency.

If You Are Staying In A Hotel/Motel

When you are traveling away from home and staying in a hotel or motel, it is important to know what actions to take in the event of a fire. While hotel fires account for only a small number of fire fatalities, they present a unique fire risk. Fire can spread quickly in hotels and guests are typically in unfamiliar surroundings. While sprinklers, smoke alarms and fire walls are required in many parts of the world, do not assume that all hotels will have the same safety features you may be accustomed to. The more you know in advance about dealing with a fire emergency, the better your chances for survival:

• Select a hotel/motel that, at a minimum, has smoke alarms installed. It is recommended to select lodging that also has a fire sprinkler system installed. If you must stay in a hotel/motel without alarms or sprinklers, or have mobility limitations, request a room on the first or second floor.
• When you arrive, review the fire safety information provided. It is typically posted near or on the back of the entry door. Just like in your home, you need to plan your escape ahead of time. Locate the two exits nearest your room. Walk the potential escape routes, counting the number of doors between your room and the exit. Make sure that the fire exit doors work and are unlocked. In a real fire, the hallway may become dark with smoke making it hard to see.
• Put your room key, flashlight, cell phone, eyeglasses and shoes, near the bed. You don't want to waste any time looking for things during a fire and keeping everything together can make your escape easier.
• Learn what number to call in the event of an emergency - not all locations use 9-1-1.