Mount Gilead, Ohio

Mount Gilead Fire Department

July 16, 2009

 

Kidde Recalls Dual Sensor Smoke Alarms; Can Fail to Warn of a Fire

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Safety Alert June 10th 2008

· Methlab cooks are buying propane tanks from the exchanges at Wal-Mart, Kroger, and emptying them of the propane gas.

· Then they fill the propane tanks with anhydrous ammonia, which they now have a recipe to cook Methamphetamine.

· After they are finished with the propane tanks, they return them to the store. The stores refill the tanks with propane gas, unknowing to them the improper substance that was inserted in the tanks and sell them to their consumers.

· Anhydrous ammonia is very corrosive and weakens the structure of the tank.

· It can be very dangerous when mixed with propane gas and hooked up to a grill, recreation vehicle, etc.
You should inspect the propane tank for any blue or greenish residue around the valve areas.

· If there are evidences of these substances, do not purchase the propane tank and advise the vendor of your findings.

· If you smell anhydrous ammonia in a residential area, notify the authorities.

To learn more:


Fire Safety Alerts" From State FIre Marshal Michael Bell and Chief Staiger;

This year to date, 102 fire-related deaths have been reported in Ohio. At this time last year, there were 67 fire-related deaths, and in 2006 there were 111 fire related deaths. Last year, Ohio had 129 total fire related deaths and in 2006 there were 198 total fire-related deaths. In 2006 and 2007, more than 90% of the fatal residential fires occurred in homes without a working smoke detector. What is very sad is that these deaths might have been prevented with the use of working smoke detectors and proper home fire escape plans.

Smoke detectors, when properly installed and maintained double your chances of escaping a nighttime fire. For the greatest protection, install a smoke detector on every level of your home and inside each sleeping area. Also, develop an escape plan and make sure every family member knows what to do if the fire alarm sounds.

Test your smoke detectors at least once each month to ensure that they are working properly. Vacuum the dust from inside the detector at least once every year. Batteries in battery-operated detectors should be changed twice a year or whenever a detector "chirps" to signal a low battery. Never "borrow" a smoke detector's battery for another use. A disabled detector cannot save your life. In, addition, smoke detectors should be replaced every 10- years or according to the manufacturer's specifications.

Many fire can be prevented by following these simple safety tips:
Extinguish smoking materials properly. Do not smoke in bed or when intoxicated.
Do not leave anything on the stove or in the oven unattended.
Keep all matches and lighters away from children. Teach them about the dangers of fire.
Be careful when using space and portable heaters. Keep all combustibles at least 3 feet away.
Do not overload electrical outlets or overuse extension cords.


Home Fire Escape Planning

Smoke alarms can only warn of danger. You must then take action to escape. Unless you act quickly and effectively, the exact warning time provided by alarms could be wasted. The best way to assure that your family will do the correct things in an emergency is to have an escape plan and practice it. The important factors in a home fire evacuation plan are:

Immediately leave the home.
Do not waste any time saving property. Call the fire department (Use 911) from a neighbor's home or a cell phone. Take the safest route, but if you must escape through the smoke, remember to crawl low under smoke.

Know two ways out of each room.
If the primary way out is blocked by fire or smoke, you will need a second way out. This might be a window onto an adjacent roof or by using an escape ladder (tested and approved by a recognized testing laboratory). Practice escaping by both the primary and secondary routes to be sure that windows are not stuck and screens can be taken out quickly. Windows and doors with security bars need quick release devices to allow them to be opened quickly in an emergency. Practice escaping in the dark.

Feel the door.
When you come to a closed door, use the backside of your hand to feel the top of the door, the doorknob, and the crack between the door and the doorframe to make sure that fire is not on the other side. If it feels hot, use your secondary escape route. Even if the door feels cool, open it carefully. Brace your shoulder against the door and open slowly. If heat and smoke come in slam the door and make sure it is securely closed. Use your alternate escape route.

Have an arranged safe meeting place.
If you all meet under a specific tree or at the end of the driveway or front sidewalk, you will know that everyone has gotten out safely and no one will be hurt looking for someone who is already safe. Designate one person to go to a neighbor's home to phone the fire department or use a cell phone.

Once out, STAY OUT!
Never go back into a burning building for any reason. If someone is missing tell the firefighters. They are equipped to perform rescues safely.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mount Gilead Fire Department End of Year Report 2007

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