Potomac River - - Just Stay Out!

Firefighters Distribute Safety Tips Over the Holiday Weekend

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service personnel were out in force over the Memorial Day weekend in and around the Potomac River reminding visitors of the inherent dangers associated with the river and passing out safety tips aimed at informing and educating visitors to stay out of the Potomac River.

Considerable interagency cooperation at the local, county, state and federal levels has focused attention on methods to prevent drownings in and around the Potomac River since 2004. The presence of Montgomery County Firefighters distributing bi-lingual educational materials over the holiday weekend served to underscore the continued commitment and importance of this initiative and the goal of “zero” drownings as the summer season kicks off in the Washington Metropolitan area.

A copy of the safety tips in both English and Spanish (2nd page) are below.

Great Falls Warning

Splash into Summer Safely! Keep these Water Safety Tips in Mind

As the weather heats up, chances are you will be headed to the beach or pool to cool off this summer. Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer or just learning how to swim, many water-related accidents can be avoided by knowing what to do and how to stay safe. Drowning is the second leading killer of children ages 14 and under and the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service urges residents to review these important tips to increase safety around the water:

 Learn to swim and never swim alone. One of the best things you can do to stay safe around the water is to learn to swim and to always swim with a buddy. Even experienced swimmers can become tired or get muscle cramps which might make it difficult to get out of the water safely.

 Learn life-saving skills. Know how to prevent, recognize and respond to emergencies. Valuable lifesaving seconds are lost by having to wait for Emergency Medical Services to respond and administer CPR. Learning CPR and other life-saving skills and rescue techniques can save lives.

 Seconds count when it comes to water emergencies. Keep a phone (cell or cordless) by the pool or nearby when engaged in recreational water activities so that you can call 9-1-1 in an emergency.

 Don’t rely on swimming lessons, life preservers or other equipment to make a child “water safe.” Remember - swimming lessons are no substitute for supervision of children. Formal swimming lessons can help protect young swimmers around the water however constant adult supervision is critical.

 Never leave children unsupervised around water (bathtubs, pools, ornamental backyard ponds, etc.). Small children don't think of water as a danger and, by nature, are very curious.

 Diving dangers. Diving injuries can cause permanent spinal damage, injuries and even death. Protect yourself by diving only in areas that are known to be safe, such as the deep end of a supervised pool. Always check the water’s depth and remember that jumping in feet first can be very risky if you haven’t checked the water for rocks or other hidden hazards.

 Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.

 Know Your Limits. Watch for the “dangerous too’s” . . . too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.

 Maintain constant supervision of children. Know where your children are at all times. Never leave a child unattended in the water or pool area. Don't be distracted by phone calls, chores or conversations. If you leave the pool area, take the child with you.

 Don’t rely on substitutes. The use of floatation devices, water wings and inflatable toys can not replace parental supervision. Such flotation devices could suddenly shift position, lose air, or slip out from underneath, leaving the child in a dangerous situation.

 Water and alcohol don’t mix. Each year, up to half of all adult drownings are linked to alcohol use.

Keep it Clean! Make safety part of your Spring cleaning routine

Spring cleaning is a great time to focus on safety in and around the home and to identify and correct any potential safety hazards. Following the safety tips outlined below can help get your spring off to a safe start:

•When using ladders, check for safe and proper placement. Be aware of any obstructions including overhead wires and tree branches.

• Inspect your grill prior to use. Check grill hoses for leaks and cracks and store propane tanks away from your house and garage. When disposing of ashes from a charcoal grill, put them in a metal bucket and either soak in water or let stand for several days before disposing of them.

• Recycle: Get rid of old newspapers, magazines and junk mail. These items tend to pile up quickly and can contribute to the severity and spread of fire. Pay special attention to items that may have collected near your furnace, hot water heater, fireplace and stairs over the winter months.

• Check play equipment for loose or exposed hardware, broken parts and stability before children begin playing on outside toys.

• Never operate a lawn mower in your bare feet, avoid wearing loose clothing and wear proper eye protection.

• Be safe with toxic items - household and pool chemicals, paints and poisons should be properly marked and stored under lock and key and safely out of children’s reach. Dispose of any that are leaking or expired. Additionally, clean up work areas. Put dangerous tools, adhesives, matches, or other work items out of children’s reach.

• Fill lawn mowers, motorbikes and power saws outside and only when the motor is cool.

• Store gasoline in a cool place away from the house in a detached garage or shed, and always in an approved safety can.

• Fire is not the way to get rid of yard waste. Leaf burning and general yard waste burning is not permitted in Montgomery County. Dispose or recycle yard waste properly or mulch/compost yard waste and trimmings.

• Spring is also an important time to assess your home’s fire prevention tools and readiness. Following these simple maintenance and prevention tips can help keep you and your loved ones safe:

- Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working.

- Be sure to change the batteries in all smoke alarms annually. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm units should be replaced every 10 years, according to manufacturer recommendations.

- Changing weather temperatures can cause windows and doors to stick. Windows should be checked to ensure they can open and close properly in case they are needed as exits in an emergency.

- Review and practice your home escape plan. Conduct a home fire drill and be sure everyone knows the location of your family’s outdoor meeting place.

- Make sure your house address numbers are visible from the street. Addresses that are hidden, unreadable or have missing numbers may delay emergency responders from getting to you as quickly as possible.

MCFRS Significant Fire & EMS Incidents From May 16 through May 22

Battalion 1 Incidents

• House Fire in the 8600 block of Lynbrook Dr- Fire units responded for a house fire and arrived on scene to find a smoking toaster oven.

• Apartment Fire in the 700 block of Northampton Drive - Report of smoke from the garden apartment. Fire units arrived to find food on the stove with no extension. No reported injuries, displacements or dollar loss.

• Apartment Fire in the 11400 block of Cherry Hill Rd., (Mutal Aid to P.G. County) - 4 Story apartment building. Units arrived to find fire showing from the front, first floor window that was extending up to 2nd floor. Fire put out with $50,000 in damages.

Battalion 2 Incidents

• STABBING in the 7000 block of CLARENDON RD – Fire and Rescue Units found 1 adult with a stab wound and transported to a local trauma center.

Battalion 3 Incidents

• BUILDING FIRE in the 5000 block of NICHOLSON – Fire units arrived on scene to find fire and smoke from the duct work on the roof. Fire crews extinguished the fire and scene secured for Code Enforcement and health inspector.

• House Fire in the 2 block of Reach Ct - Fire units arrived and found a fire on the stove. Fire put out.

Battalion 4 Incidents

No significant incidents.

Battalion 5 Incidents

No significant incidents.

Local Fire Fighters to Join Wounded Veteran on Walk to US Capitol Thursday

BY: Dwayne Harris
President - Montgomery County Band of Brothers

Troy Yocum is a wounded Iraq War Veteran that has been walking across the United States for the past year helping to raise money to assist needy military families.

Tomorrow, May 26, the Montgomery County Band of Brothers (MCBB) and several other fire fighters are going to meet Troy at the Town Hall in Forrest Heights, MD at 8 AM and walk with him to the US Capitol (roughly 8 miles). MCBB is a support group comprised of Montgomery County career Fire Fighters and Police Officers who have served our country as members of the United States Armed Forces.

Once the group crosses into DC, they will be met be a special detail from the District Police Department to escort Troy and the group all the way to the US Capitol.  Expected arrival time is around noon. 

Some examples of how Troy’s walk has benefited military families:

* In Houston a child who lost his father in Iraq desperately wanted to attend Space Camp. Through Wish Upon a Hero, and money Troy has raised, the child will be attending Space Camp this summer.

* A family in Georgia was going to have their home go through foreclosure. Some of the money Troy raised will be given to that family to save their home.

* A Ft. Bragg, NC, military family are being helped as well after a tornado destroyed their home.

Once Memorial Day weekend is over, Troy will continue his journey through Laurel, Baltimore and Philadelphia then returning west. There is more information on his web site: http://drumhike.com/