Greetings from the east side of the state. I hope that everyone had the most amazing Christmas and brought in the new year with family and friends. Let’s hope that the new year will be lots better than the last. A lot of things can happen in the state with mother nature, she has been keeping us on our toes. I cut a lot of persimmons and everyone of them had a spoon, which the wives’ tales say means we are going to do a lot of shoveling. Let’s cross our fingers that Jack Frost and mother nature will be kind to us this winter.
Here is a brief point for the winter weather. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), heating is the second leading cause of U.S. home fires, deaths and injuries. December, January and February are the peak months for heating fires. Space heaters are the type of equipment most often involved in home heating equipment fires, figuring in two of every five fires.
Often called the invisible killer, carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas created when fuels such as gasoline, wood, coal, propane, etc. do not burn. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of CO. Carbon monoxide incidents are more common during the winter months, and in residential properties.
December is the peak time of year for home candle fires; the top four days for home candle fires are New Year’s Day, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Christmas Eve. Each year approximately an average of 25 home candle fires were reported each day so if you use them make sure the candle is not close to anything that can burn also when you leave put the candle out.
Electrical home fires are a leading cause of home fires in the U.S. Roughly half of all home electrical fires involved electrical distribution or lighting equipment, while nearly another half involved other known types of equipment like washer or dryer fans, and portable or stationary space heaters.
Let’s hope the sate of Missouri will not face a winter storm, most of the U.S. is at risk for winter storms, which can cause dangerous and sometimes life-threatening conditions. Blinding wind-driven snow, extreme cold, icy road conditions, downed trees and power lines can all wreak havoc on our daily schedules. Home fires occur more in the winter than in any other season, and heating equipment is involved in one of every six reported home fires, and one in every five home fire deaths.
Portable generators are useful during power outages; however, many homeowners are unaware that the improper use of portable generators can be risky. The most common dangers associated with portable generators are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, electrical shock or electrocution, and fire hazards. According to a Consumer Product Safety Commission report, half of the generator-related deaths happened in the four coldest months of the year, November through February, and portable generators were involved in the majority of carbon monoxide deaths involving engine-driven tools. If you are using generators place the unit outside away from windows and doors. And never refill the unit while its hot.
Winter driving can be hazardous and scary, especially regions that get a lot of snow and ice. Additional preparations can help make a trip safer, or help motorists deal with an emergency. This safety information may help prevent motor vehicle injuries due to winter storms. The three Ps of Safe Winter Driving: Prepare for the trip; Protect yourself; and Prevent crashes on the road.
PREPARE
Maintain Your Car: Check battery, tire tread, and windshield wipers, keep your windows clear, put no-freeze fluid in the washer reservoir, and check your antifreeze.
Have On Hand: flashlight, jumper cables, abrasive material (sand, kitty litter, even floor mats), shovel, snow brush and ice scraper, warning devices (like flares) and blankets. For long trips, add food and water, medication and cell phone. Stopped or stalled? Stay in your car, don’t overexert, put bright markers on antenna or windows and shine dome light, and, if you run your car, clear exhaust pipe and run it just enough to stay warm.
Plan Your route: Allow plenty of time (check the weather and leave early if necessary), be familiar with the maps/ directions, and let others know your route and arrival time.
Practice Cold Weather Driving!
• During the daylight, rehearse maneuvers slowly on ice or snow in an empty lot.
• Steer into a skid.
• Know what your brakes will do: stomp on antilock brakes, pump on non-antilock brakes.
• Stopping distances are longer on water-covered ice and ice.
• Don’t idle for a long time with the windows up or in an enclosed space.
PROTECT YOURSELF
• Buckle up and use child safety seats properly.
• Never place a rear-facing infant seat in front of an air bag.
• Children 12 and under are much safer in the back seat.
PREVENT CRASHES
• Drugs and alcohol never mix with driving.
• Slow down and increase distances between cars.
• Keep your eyes open for pedestrians walking in the road.
• Avoid fatigue – Get plenty of rest before the trip, stop at least every three hours, and rotate drivers if possible.
• If you are planning to drink, designate a sober driver.
Let’s look into the future and think warmer thoughts as in the spring and summer. The 2022 FFAM Convention in Washington will be here the first weekend of May and I hope everyone will be attending taking classes and competing at the firefighter games. Have your winning poster winners from your district turned in before the start of the convention to the FFAM Auxiliary. The poster rules and regulations are in the Fire Prevention Committee page on the FFAM website.
In closing I hope the new year will be very productive, safe and the best year each and everyone has had. Until we meet again be safe.
FFAM
