Each
year, over 4,000 Americans perish and
more than 20,000 others suffer serious
injuries because of residential fires.
Dear
Valued Citizen:
Please
take a few moments to complete the
self-inspection checklist listed on
this page. While some items might not
apply to your household, any items you
answer "NO" could represent
a potential hazard in your home that
should be corrected. If you answer
"YES" to all of the items,
we congratulate you on your personal
fire prevention efforts! Thank you for
your time and for your interest in
fire safety.
Home
Self-Inspection Checklist
All
of my family members know to
dial 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Every
sleeping area and each level
of my home is equipped with a
working smoke detector.
My
house numbers can be seen from
the street by emergency
responders.
Household
chemicals, matches, and
cigarette lighters are stored
out of reach of children.
Gasoline
is kept in an approved safety
container, preferably stored
in a locked garage or storage
shed.
Electrical
cords are not damaged and are
properly used.
I
have a fire extinguisher in my
kitchen and know how to use
it.
No
combustible materials are
stored near cooking areas or
heating appliances.
My
fireplace is equipped with a
proper screen and fireplace
ashes are properly disposed
of.
The
lint collector on my clothes
dryer is inspected and cleaned
before each use.
I
generally practice good
housekeeping habits in keeping
work areas, the garage, heater
closets, etc. free of
potential fire hazards.
My
kitchen vent-a-hood is clean
and properly maintained.
I
test my smoke detectors once a
month.
I
change the batteries in my
smoke detectors every year, or
sooner if necessary.
Paints,
thinners, and other flammable
liquids are stored in their
original containers, well away
from heat, sparks, or flame.
I
never leave cooking food
unattended.
I
never smoke when drowsy or
when in bed.
Each
room in my home has two clear
exits.
My
family developed and practices
an Emergency Escape Plan.
Did You
Know.........
Survival Tips
Make sure
your family has an escape plan.
Contact the Fire Prevention office
or your neighborhood fire station
for more information on developing a
plan.
Sleep
with the bedroom door closed. Closed
doors provide protection against
heat and smoke.
Teach
everyone in your household to
recognize the sound of your smoke
alarm.
Test
doors before opening them. You can
easily be overcome by heat, smoke or
flames when you open a door to an
area where a fire has spread.
Use
windows as alternate exits.
Crawl low
under smoke. During a fire, super
heated air and toxic gases fill the
room from the top down. This leaves
a "safety zone" of
breathable air about 12 to 24 inches
above the floor.
Call
9-1-1. Unless you are trapped
inside, it's too dangerous to call
from a burning home. Once you have
escaped and reported to your meeting
place, call 9-1-1 on a neighbor's
telephone.
If your
clothes catch on fire: Stop, Drop,
and Roll.
Learn
Not To Burn! Fire Smart Equals Fire
Safe!!!
Fire
destroys more property and claims more
lives annually than any natural
disaster. It is also the most
preventable disaster.
Please
help us reduce the senseless loss of
property and lives in our community by
making a conscious effort to maintain
a home free of fire hazards. Share
this information with relatives and
friends. Remember, fire prevention
begins with education.
Should you
have any questions regarding fire
safety, or want more information on
any of these topics, please call our
Fire Prevention Division at (325)
676-6682 or E-Mail us afdprev@abilenetx.com
HOT
TOPICS
The recent Taylor County Burn Ban was lifted August 18.
Please continue to be careful.
Congratulations to Jeremy Williams for
his recent promotion to Lieutenant!
HELP PREVENT GRASS
FIRES
BE CAREFUL WHILE
WELDING OR WORKING WITH OTHER SPARK PRODUCING EQUIPMENT
When was the
last time you tested your smoke detectors ?
Your Abilene
Fire Department reminds you to test your detectors MONTHLY
!
Never cross a road that is covered in
water. 1 to 2 feet of water is capable of floating your
vehicle.
"FIREWATCH"
FIREWATCH
every Monday on
KRBC 9 "Abilene's First News" during the
5:00pm Newscast
CODE RED
The CodeRED system calls
only those who are in the telephone database. To ensure
no one is omitted, individuals and businesses are
encouraged to log onto the City of Abilene’s website, www.abilenetx.com,
and follow the link to the "CodeRED Residential and
Business Data Collection" page. Those without
Internet access may call Emergency Plans Office
(676-6525), Monday through Friday No one should
automatically assume his or her phone number is
included.
Questions should be
directed to the City of Abilene’s Office of Emergency
Management, (325) 676-6683.
