It Only Takes ONE To Save Your Life!

It is that time of year again! While testing your smoke alarms should be a monthly occurrence, at the minimum, we here at MCFRS want to make extra sure that you take time this weekend to do so. So as you think about the hour of sleep you will GAIN this weekend please also think how this would be a very good time to make sure critical life safety devices in your home are working properly.

Just before you move that clock hand back an hour also make sure you push the test button on the smoke and carbon monoxide alarm(s). If not working, please replace the battery -- unless it is a sealed 10 year lithium battery at which point you will have to get a new alarm.

Also remember that if your smoke alarm is 10 years of age, or older, it needs to be replaced

What Time is It 2015

Halloween Safety Tips

Everyone wants to have a safe and happy Halloween. Using safety tips and common sense can help make the most of your Halloween season and make it enjoyable and safe for everyone. Follow the tips below and make it a fun and safe Halloween every year!

Some Facts:

• Decorations for special events, most often involving candles, account for an annual average of 900 home fires, causing nearly $6 million in direct property damage, according to NFPA.
• In the United States, more than 100 people die each year as a result of their clothing igniting.
• Children are four times more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other night of the year.

TIPS:

• Purchase only those costumes, wigs and props labeled as flame-resistant or retardant.When creating a costume, choose material that won't easily ignite and avoid billowing or long-trailing features.
• Be sure children know the stop, drop and roll technique in the event their clothing catches fire. (Stop immediately, drop to the ground, covering your face with your hands, and roll over and over to extinguish flames.)
• Apply face paint or cosmetics directly to the face. It is safer than a loose-fitting mask that can obstruct a child's vision. If a mask is worn, be certain it fits securely. Cut the eyeholes large enough for full vision. Make costumes short enough to avoid tripping. Dress children in shoes that fit. Allow children to carry only flexible knives, swords or other props. Anything they carry could injure them if they fall.
• Provide children with lightweight flashlights to carry for lighting or as part of their costume.
• When planning party decorations, bear in mind that dried flowers and cornstalks are highly flammable. Keep crepe paper and other decorations well away from all heat sources, including light bulbs, heaters, etc.
• Let children be the artists and leave the pumpkin carving to adults. Children can draw the face of the jack-o-lantern, but only parents should handle the knives.
• Use flashlights as alternatives to candles or torch lights for decorations. They are much safer for trick-or-treaters, whose costumes may brush against the lighting.
• Use flashlights to illuminate Jack-o-lanterns. If you must use candles, use votives and be sure to place the pumpkin on a sturdy surface away from flammable objects.
• Remove outdoor safety hazards such as toys, bicycles and lawn ornaments. Make sure the driveway and stairs are cleared of leaves, which can be a slipping and falling hazard. Make sure that the driveway and walks are well lit for incoming trick-or-treaters. Replace burned-out or broken light bulbs.
• Before heading out to trick-or-treat, apply reflective wrist bands, tape, and stickers to costumes, bags and sacks and use a flashlight with fresh batteries to see and be seen.
• Children are four times more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other night of the year. Accompany children and remind them to stop at all street corners before crossing, cross only at intersections and crosswalks. Teach them to look left, right and left again before crossing the street and to continue looking both ways as they cross.
• Instruct children never to enter a home or an apartment building unless accompanied by an adult. Restrict trick-or-treating visits to homes with porch or outside lights illuminated.
• Remember to keep exits clear of decorations, ensuring nothing blocks escape routes.
• Instruct children who are attending parties at others' homes to locate the exits and plan how they would get out in an emergency.
• Set a time for children to return home. Tell children to bring their treats home before eating them. Parents should check treats to ensure that items have not been tampered with and are safely sealed. Be careful with fruit. Inspect the surface closely for punctures or holes and cut it open before allowing a child to eat it.

Meet Rockville Fire Station 33 A-Shift

By: Captain Scott Buchholz

I have a great shift at Fire Station 33 A-Shift.  While not responding to emergency calls, they are constantly taking care of firehouse business, map work, learning first due areas and buildings, engine company drills, drivers training, station maintenance, vehicle check outs, station pride projects and other general duties that reflect a professional and positive attitude.

I could not ask for a better group to get work done while having fun doing it.

The positive and can do attitude continues on emergency calls as well as changing flat tires for residents, checking smoke alarms, and any other form of public service that we find.

Thanks to my shift at 33-A for the hard work you do! 

Left to right, FF Charles "Chazz " Smith, MFF Jaymie Birney, Me, FF Roger Hohman, FF Kyle Dixon, FF Perry Power.  Not pictured: FF Katie Null and FF Sean Cramer. Photo Courtesy of Jontell Buchholz 

Wood Stove and Fireplaces

It is that time of year again!  Colder temps have us all looking to our home heating systems which, a good number of times, means wood stoves and fireplaces.  Careful attention to safety can minimize fire hazards.

To use them safely:

• Be sure the fireplace or stove is installed properly. Wood stoves should have adequate clearance (36 inches) from combustible surfaces and proper floor support and protection.
• Wood stoves should be of good quality, solid construction and design, and should be UL listed.
• Have the chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary, especially if it has not been used for some time.
• Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire.
• Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace opening, to prevent embers or sparks from escaping, unwanted material from going in, and to help prevent the possibility of burns.
• The stove should be burned hot twice a day for 15-30 minutes to reduce the amount of creosote buildup.
• Don't use excessive amounts of paper to build roaring fires in fireplaces. It is possible to ignite creosote in the chimney by overbuilding the fire.
• Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide.
• Keep flammable materials away from your fireplace mantel. A spark from the fireplace could easily ignite theses materials.
• Before you go to sleep, be sure your fireplace fire is out. NEVER close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper will help the fire to heat up again and will force toxic carbon monoxide into the house.
• If synthetic logs are used, follow the directions on the package. NEVER break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire or use more than one log at a time. They often burn unevenly, releasing higher levels of carbon monoxide.
• Never discard hot ashes inside or near the home. Place them in a metal container outside and well away from the house.

Family

By: Lieutenant Rob Furst

One attribute of the fire department is that you have two families; your blood and marriage family and your fire department family. In times of need, both families (blood and FD) will provide support at full force for their brother or sister.

Such is that case for MFF Brian Vane (Fire Station 1-A). His son requires treatment for a medical condition. This treatment includes a brief hospitalization. Brian's shift came to his side to provide support and a brief reprieve from hospital food. Brian and his (blood) family were very appreciative of the surprise visit.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery for young Blake!  #Blakestrong

Brian (far L) and shift mates.