Maine Fire Prevention Services

03/24/2023

Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department lost one of their on today in an accident. Please keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers as they deal with their loss of their Captain, Danny, and for Danny's family.

04/13/2021

07/16/2016

05/18/2014

Charcoal Safety:

Charcoal grills are the cause of far more fires than gas grills. The number one problem with charcoal grills is lighting the charcoal. What really burns the hair off your face is adding lighter fluid to hot coals. Lighter fluid turns to a heavy gas at a relatively low temperature. While liquid lighter fluid burns, evaporated (gaseous) lighter fluid has the potential of exploding. Follow the instructions exactly and don't ever let lighting charcoal become a game. Think safety!

04/24/2014

Gentlemen (and ladies)...start your grill! Spring has finally arrived and that means cookouts, family reunions and friendly get-togethers which lead to Barbecue's. Remember that propane and natural gas grills are very convenient and inexpensive to operate and you should check the following before your first grilling session:

Check the gas supply line for any cracks, kinks or rust; replace any worn or damaged hose before attempting to use the grill.
If you smell gas, turn off the supply and stop using the grill immediately until the leak can be identified and repaired.
Faulty push-button lighters can be a hazard; repair or replace them at the first sign of trouble if you experience any kind of malfunction.
Check to see if the burner plate operates correctly; if not, remove it and clean it so that all gas outlets are functional or replace it if you are unable to make the repair.

Finally, have a great summer with family & friends!

03/17/2014

Since you turned back your clocks last week, did you remember to check your smoke alarms and change the batteries?

Smoke alarms are powered by battery or they are hardwired into the home’s electrical system. If the smoke alarm is powered by battery, it runs on either a disposable 9-volt battery or a non-replaceable 10-year lithium (“long-life”) battery. A backup battery is usually present on hardwired alarms and may need to be replaced.

These batteries must be tested on a regular basis and, in most cases, should be replaced at least once each year (except for lithium batteries). We now recommend that you change your battery twice a year to coincide with the changing of the clocks. If you haven't already........please change your batteries if needed.

02/04/2014

No matter what home heat source your family relies on during this time of year, be sure to have it inspected during the off season so that it’s ready to go during peak demand times such as the holidays. In addition:

**Ensure that fireplaces and wood stoves have protective screens.

**Maintain a three-foot clearance from all heating units and flammable objects.

**Turn off space heaters before leaving a room and never leave them on overnight.

**Keep decorations and furniture away at least three feet away from electric baseboard heating and forced air vents (hold or cold air).( Keeping furniture away from vents blowing cold air allows the air to move into the rooms and keeps your air conditioner from running more than necessary or overheating.)

01/10/2014

Bedroom Fire Safety:

Did you know bedrooms are the most common room in the home where electrical fires start? Electrical fires are a special concern during winter months which call for more indoor activities and increases in lighting, heating, and appliance use.

Do not trap electric cords against walls where heat can build up.

Take extra care when using portable heaters. Keep bedding, clothes, curtains and other combustible items at least three feet away from space heaters.

Only use lab-approved electric blankets and warmers. Check to make sure the cords are not frayed.

Never smoke in bed.

Replace mattresses made before the 2007 Federal Mattress Flammability Standard. Mattresses made since then are required by law to be safer.

Finally, having working smoke alarms dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. Place at least one smoke alarm on each level of your home and in halls outside bedrooms. And remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.

12/03/2013

Portable Heater Fire Safety

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AMQ1ASnmNU&feature=player_embedded

An estimated 900 portable heater fires in residential buildings are reported to U.S. fire departments each year and cause 70 deaths, 150 injuries and $53 mil...

11/02/2013

Fire Escape Plans for you and your family

A good fire escape plan is simple to create and valuable for practicing family fire safety. Here is a simple list to follow:

**Make and practice a fire escape plan.
**Plan two ways to escape from each room.
**Pick a place to meet after you escape to check that everyone got out.
**Practice your escape plan every month.
**Plan for everyone in your home - including babies and others with disabilities who need help to escape.
**Involve children in making and practicing your escape plan.
**Teach children to never hide during a fire - they must get out and stay out

An accurate diagram of your home. This drawing should show all possible exits as well as your family meeting place. One way to get everyone involved is to have each member of your home – especially children – draw their own diagram and explain it to the family.

Two ways out of every room. Find at least two ways out of each room in the event of a fire. Each exit should be easy to get to and free from clutter or other obstructions that might prevent fast and easy access to it. Whenever you practice your plan, pretend one exit is blocked by heat or fire so family members can react quickly and identify another way out.

Simple step-by-step directions. Write down a short list of simple fire escape directions and post it in your home where everyone can see it. Be sure to review it together whenever you practice your fire escape plan. It can be as simple as this:

Drop to your hands and knees to crawl under the smoke.
Check doors for heat using the back of your hand.
Get outside quickly and gather at the meeting place.
Call for help or send someone to call from a neighbor’s home.

10/02/2013

October is fire prevention month. Please remember to change the batteries in your smoke detectors, run a test to make sure you hear the alarm and practice an escape plan with your family. Always be prepared!

Here is a website for kids:
http://www.sparky.org/parentpage/fpwkids.htm

08/01/2013

Should you use a fire extinguisher?

Different types of fires require different types of extinguishers. For example, a grease fire and an electrical fire require the use of different extinguishing agents to be effective and safely put the fire out.

Basically, there are five different types of extinguishing agents. Most fire extinguishers display symbols to show the kind of fire on which they are to be used. There are also multi-purpose fire extinguishers - such as those labeled "B-C" or "A-B-C" - that can be used on two or more of the above type fires.

Some people have physical limitations that might diminish or eliminate their ability to properly use a fire extinguisher. People with disabilities, older adults, or children may find that an extinguisher is too heavy to handle or it may be too difficult for them to exert the necessary pressure to operate the extinguisher.

Use a fire extinguisher only if:

* You have alerted other occupants and someone has called the fire department;
*The fire is small and contained to a single object, such as a wastebasket;
*You are safe from the toxic smoke produced by the fire;
*You have a means of escape identified and the fire is not between you and the escape route; and
*Your instincts tell you that it is safe to use an extinguisher.

If all of these conditions are not present, you should NOT try to use a fire extinguisher. Alert other occupants, leave the building following your home escape plan, go to the agreed upon meeting place, and call the fire department from a cell phone or a neighbor's home.