Fire – White Plains Public Safety

E-Bike and E-Scooter Safety

admin — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 17:29:12 +0000

The popularity of electric bikes and electric scooters has taken off over the past few years. Lithium-ion batteries are usually the source of power for both, and if not used correctly, or if damaged, those batteries can catch on fire or explode. Whether you use e-bikes or e-scooters as your main way of getting around, or just for fun, there are important safety tips to keep in mind when charging or storing these devices.

The Problem

Damaged or defective batteries can overheat, catch fire, or explode.
Lithium-ion battery fires give off toxic gases and they burn extremely hot.

Safety Tips

Only purchase and use devices, batteries, and charging equipment that are listed by
a nationally recognized testing lab and labeled accordingly.
Always follow the instructions from the manufacturer.
Only use the battery and the charger that were designed for, and came with, the device.
Do not keep charging the device or device battery after it is fully charged.
Only charge one device or device battery at a time to prevent overloading the circuit.
Keep batteries at room temperature when possible. Do not charge them at temperatures below 32°F (0°C) or above 105°F (40°C).
Do not store batteries in direct sunlight or inside hot vehicles, and keep them away from children and liquids.
Store e-bikes, e-scooters, and batteries away from exit doors and anything that can get hot or catch fire.
Only have device repairs performed by a qualified professional.
Do not put lithium-ion batteries in the trash. Recycling is always the best option. Take the batteries to a battery recycling location or contact your local waste department for disposal instructions.

Signs of a Problem

Stop using the e-bike or e-scooter if you notice any of these problems with the battery: unusual odor, change in color, too much heat, change in shape, leaking, smoking, or not keeping a charge.

Learn More

Visit nfpa.org/ebikes

Grilling Safety

admin — Fri, 26 May 2023 16:11:54 +0000

There’s nothing like outdoor grilling. It’s one of the most popular ways to cook food. But, a grill placed too close to anything that can burn is a fire hazard. They can be very hot, causing burn injuries.

Follow these simple tips and you will be on the way to safe grilling.

Safety Tips:

Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.
The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
Never leave your grill unattended.
Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.

Charcoal Grills:

There are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel.
If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire.
Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.
There are also electric charcoal starters, which do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use.
When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container

Propane Grills:

Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the frst time each year. Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off both the gas tank and the grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department. If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.

If the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 5 minutes before re-lighting it.

Holiday Safety & Crime Prevention

admin — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 11:41:42 +0000

The holidays are a time to reconnect with family and friends, but they also can present seasonal safety hazards. Here are some tips that we have collected from several sources to help you keep your home safe this holiday season.

Holiday Decorating Tips

Hospital emergency rooms treat thousands of people annually who are injured from falls involving holiday decorations. Half of those injuries are associated with falls, and some could involve extension cords. Here are some tips to make your holiday decorating safer:

Never use furniture as a ladder.
Follow the 1-to-4 rule for extension ladders: for every four feet the ladder rises, move the base out one foot from the structure.
Always keep three points of contact on the ladder: two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand.
Inspect the ladder for any damage prior to using it.
Use the right ladder for the task at hand.

Trees and Decorations

Between 2015 and 2019, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) indicates an average of 160 home fires, per year, started with Christmas trees. Those fires resulted in an annual average of two deaths, 12 injuries and over $10 million in property damage.

Live trees should be kept well-watered to prevent them from drying out, and should be placed at least 3 feet from any heat source.
Trees should be removed soon after Christmas, or when they become dried out — 40 percent of Christmas tree fires occur in January, when the holidays are over.
Don’t overload electrical outlets. Choose artificial trees and decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant, and don’t connect more than three strands of lights together.
Check all cords and light strings to make sure they’re not worn or frayed and make sure outdoor lights are designed for that purpose. Unplug all electric decorations before going to bed. Use only UL approved extension cords and power strips.
Candles should never be left burning in a room unattended, and should not be placed directly on a table, counter or other surface — they should be on a plate, a Menorah or a candlestick or candelabra designed for that purpose and should be kept at least 12 inches from curtains or other things that can burn.

Cooking & Dining

Just a few simple tips to keep the kitchen safer during the holidays include:

Always have a cook in the kitchen.
Don’t leave stove burners or the oven unattended.
Occupy the kids away from the kitchen. Too many hot appliances and dangerous utensils.
Keep prepared foods away from raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs.
Cook food thoroughly, using a food thermometer to determine doneness. Internal food temperature should be 140 degrees Fahrenheit or above. Refrigerate food within two hours at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
Ditch leftovers after 4 days.

Keep Chimneys Clean

Enjoying a cozy fire is a holiday tradition in many homes with a fireplace, and precautions should be taken to do so safely.

We call this chimney fire season. People forget to open the damper or close the ash dump, or they sweep hot ashes down the dump and start fires. They burn unseasoned wood, or softwoods that produce a lot of creosote, which sticks to the walls of the chimney and is very flammable.
The most important precaution to prevent such fires is to have your chimney cleaned and inspected every year by a sweep who is certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. Fires should be built in the rear of the fireplace, with wood placed on andirons or a metal grate.
A mesh metal screen or glass fireplace doors should be used to prevent sparks or embers from escaping the fireplace. Keep children and pets at least three feet away and make sure ribbons, gift wrap, boxes and other flammable materials are cleaned up.

Cold Weather Precautions

Have your furnace inspected and cleaned every year.
Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from heat sources.
Never use an oven for heat.
Portable space heaters should be UL rated and should shut off automatically if tipped over. Extension cords should never be used with a space heater. Space heaters should be turned off when no one is in the room, and when you go to sleep.
Keep a working fire extinguisher on each floor of your home.
Check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms each month to make sure they’re working; change the batteries twice a year.
Have a fire safety plan, and make sure everyone in the family knows what to do in case of a fire.

Holiday Package Theft

More than 25 million Americans have their packages stolen right from their doorsteps by porch pirates each year—don’t be one of them.

Track deliveries online and confirm delivery has occurred. You can sign up for email notifications to track your packages from initial shipment to its arrival at your home, or the recipient’s address if you have the gift delivered directly.
If you know a family member or neighbor will be home, ask them to pick up the packages as soon as they are delivered. Reward them with fresh baked cookies.
Switch delivery location to work where it can be received by someone and not left on the porch.
See if the post office or store the product is being shipped from can hold the package for pick up.
The post office will allow your package to remain safe and secure for up to 30 days.

Holiday Shopping

Extra precautions need to be taken when shopping during the holiday season. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Stay alert and be aware of what’s going on around you.
Park in a well-lighted space, and be sure to lock the car, close the windows, and hide shopping bags and gifts in the trunk.
Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; pay with a check or credit card whenever possible.
Deter pickpockets and purse-snatchers. Don’t overburden yourself with packages. Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket.
Shopping with kids? Teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard if you get separated.

Holiday Traveling

We have a few tips for your holiday travels.

Ask a trusted friend, neighbor or Neighborhood Watch member to watch your home.
Use timers for lights and radios while you’re away.
Remember to make arrangements for mail and newspapers.
Avoid aggressive and angry driving.
Adjust following distance and speed in snowy or icy conditions.
Designate a sober driver or arrange for a cab ahead of time if you plan to drink at holiday gatherings.

Smoke Alarms – 10 Easy Tips

admin — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 17:19:13 +0000

About 3,500 Americans die each year in fires and about 20,000 are injured. Many of them might be alive today if they had only learned what to do if there is a fire.

It is very important to have a working smoke alarm with a working battery in your home. If you have that, it greatly lowers your chances of dying in a fire.

Follow these 10 easy tips on smoke alarms:

One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family is to have a working smoke alarm that can sound fast for both a fire that has flames, and a smoky fire that has fumes without flames. It is called a “Dual Sensor Smoke Alarm.”
Place a smoke alarm on the ceiling of every level of your home and outside bedrooms. Children and older people can sleep though the loud sound of a smoke alarm. Make sure your escape plan includes someone that can help children and others wake up immediately to escape from the home.
If you keep your bedroom doors closed, place a smoke alarm on the ceiling of each bedroom.
Check smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button.
Never take smoke alarm batteries out to put into other items like games or remote controls.
Teach children what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do when they hear the alarm sound.
If there is a fire, leave the home right away by crawling low under the smoke and never go back inside.
If smoke from cooking makes the alarm sound, press the “hush” button, if your alarm has one. You can also turn on the kitchen fan, open a window or wave a towel near the alarm until it stops making the sound. Never take the battery out of the alarm.
Most alarms need a new battery at least once a year. Some smoke alarms have batteries that last for up to 10 years. If your smoke alarm is over 10 years old, replace it with a new alarm and a new battery.
If you rent, talk to your landlord about placing a working smoke alarm in your home. You still need to buy a new battery at least once a year for the alarm.

Learn About Fire Escape Plans

admin — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 17:16:36 +0000

In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts, so you and your family must always be prepared. Escape plans help you get out of your home quickly. In less than 30 seconds, a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for a house to fill with thick black smoke and become engulfed in flames.

Every month, prepare and practice an escape route with the entire family, including children. Some tips to consider when preparing your escape plan include:

Find two ways to get out of each room.
If the primary way is blocked by fire or smoke, you will need a second way out. A secondary route might be a window onto a neighboring roof or a collapsible ladder for escape from upper story windows.
Only purchase collapsible ladders evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL).
Make sure that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly, and that security bars can be properly opened.
Practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or with your eyes closed.

SECURITY BARS REQUIRE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS

Security Bars may help to keep your family safe from intruders, but they can also trap you Inside in the event of a deadly fire! Windows and doors with security bars must have qUick release devices to allow them to be opened immediately in an emergency. Make sure everyone in the family understands and practices how to properly operate and open locked or barred doors and windows.

IMMEDIATELY LEAVE THE HOME

When a fire occurs! do not waste any time saving property. Take the safest exit route, but If you must escape through smoke, remember to crawl low, under the smoke and keep your mouth covered. The smoke contains toxic gases, which can disorient you or, at worst, overcome you.

NEVER OPEN DOORS THAT ARE HOT TO THE TOUCH

When you come to a closed door, use the back of your hand to feel the top of the door, the doorknob, and the crack between the door and door frame 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 it slowly. If heat and smoke come in, slam the door and make sure it is securely closed, then use your alternate escape route.

DESIGNATE A MEETING PLACE OUTSIDE AND TAKE ATTENDANCE

Designate a meeting location away from the home, but not necessarily across the street. For example, meet under a specific tree or at the end of the driveway or front sidewalk to make sure 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.

Dangers of Carbon Monoxide

admin — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 17:13:34 +0000

Each year in America, unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning claims more than 400 lives and sends another 20,000 people to hospital emergency rooms for treatment.

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) would like you to know that there are simple steps you can take to protect yourself from deadly carbon monoxide fumes.

UNDERSTANDING THE RISK

WHAT IS CARBON MONOXIDE?
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure.

WHERE DOES CARBON MONOXIDE COME FROM?
CO gas can come from several sources: gas-fired appliances, charcoal grills, wood-burning furnaces or fireplaces and motor vehicles.

WHO IS AT RISK?
Everyone is at risk for CO poisoning. Medical experts believe that unborn babies, infants, children, senior citizens and people with heart or lung problems are at even greater risk for CO poisoning.

WHAT ACTIONS DO I TAKE IF MY CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM GOES OFF?

What you need to do if your carbon monoxide alarm goes off depends on whether anyone is feeling ill or not.

IF NO ONE IS FEELING ILL:

Silence the alarm.
Turn off all appliances and sources of combustion (ie. furnace and fireplace).
Ventilate the house with fresh air by opening doors and windows.
Call a qualified professional to investigate the source of the possible CO buildup.

IF ILLNESS IS A FACTOR:

Evacuate all occupants immediately.
Determine how many occupants are ill and determine their symptoms.
Call your local emergency number and when relaying information to the dispatcher, include the number of people feeling ill.
Do not re-enter the home without the approval of a fire department representative.
Call a qualified professional to repair the source of the co.

PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY FROM CO POISONING

Install at least one carbon monoxide alarm with an audible warning signal evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), near the sleeping areas and outside individual bedrooms. Carbon monoxide alarms measure levels of CO over time and are designedto sound an alarm before an average, healthy adnlt would experience symptoms. It is very possible that you may not be experiencing symptoms when you hear the alarm. This does not mean that CO is not present.
Have a qualified professional check all fuel burning appliances, furnaces, venting and chimney systems at least once a year.
Never use your range or oven to help heat your home and never use a charcoal grill or hibachi in your home or garage.
Never keep a car running in a garage. Even if the garage doors are open, normal circulation will not provide enough fresh air to reliably prevent a dangerous buildup of CO.
When purchasing an existing home, have a qualified technician evaluate the integrity of the heating and cooking systems, as well as the sealed spaces between the garage and house. The presence of a carbon monoxide alarm in your home can save your life in the event of CO buildup.

Careless Smoking

admin — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 17:10:59 +0000

About 3,500 Americans die each year in fires and about 20,000 are injured. You can stop the fire before it starts. Use this fact sheet to learn how to prevent a fire in your home and know what to do if you have a fire. Stop a fire caused by careless smoking, before it starts.

The safest place to smoke is outside of the home. Use a sturdy ashtray or a can filled with sand to collect ashes.
Use ashtrays with a wide, stable base that are hard to tip over. If it wobbles, it won’t work.
Ashtrays should be set on something sturdy and hard to ignite, like a table.
Put It Out. All the Way. Every Time. The cigarette really needs to be completely stubbed out in the ashtray.
Soak cigarette butts and ashes in water before throwing them away NEVER toss hot cigarette butts or ashes in the trash.
Chairs and sofas catch on fire fast and burn fast. Don’t put ashtrays on them. If people have been smoking in the home, check for cigarettes under cushions.
NEVER smoke while using oxygen or anywhere near an oxygen source, even if the source is turned off. Oxygen makes any fire bum hotter and faster.
If you smoke, use reduced ignition strength cigarettes, commonly referred to as “fire-safe cigarettes.”
If you are drowsy or falling asleep, put it out. Smoking in bed is just plain wrong.
Close a matchbook before striking and hold it away from your body. Set your lighter on “low” flame.

BE PREPARED FOR A FIRE:

One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family is to have a working smoke alarm that can sound fast for both a fire that has flames, and a smoky fire that has fumes without flames. It is called a “Dual Sensor Smoke Alarm.” A smoke alarm greatly reduces your chances of dying in a fire.
Prepare an escape plan and practice it often. Make sure everyone in your family knows at least two (2) escape routes from their bedrooms.

High Rise Fire Safety

admin — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 17:09:07 +0000

Recent fatal fires in highrise structures have prompted Americans to rethink fire safety.

A key to fire safety for those who live and work in these special structures is to practice specific highrise fire safety and prevention behaviors.

The U. S. Fire Administration (USFA), a part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, would like you to know there are simple fire safety steps you can take to prevent the loss of life and property in highrise fires.

BE PREPARED FOR A HIGHRISE FIRE EMERGENCY

Never lock fire exits or doorways, halls or stairways. Fire doors provide a way out during the fire and slow the spread of fire and smoke. Never prop stairway or other fire doors open.
Learn your building evacuation plan. Make sure everyone knows what to do if the fire alarm sounds. Plan and practice your escape plan together.
Be sure your building manager posts evacuation plans in high traffic areas, such as lobbies.
Learn the sound of your building’s fire alarm and post emergency numbers near all telephones.
Know who is responsible for maintaining the fire safety systems. Make sure nothing blocks these devices and promptly report any sign of damage or malfunction to the building management.

DO NOT PANIC IN THE EVENT OF A HIGHRISE FIRE EMERGENCY

Do not assume anyone else has already called the fire department.
Immediately call your local emergency number. Early notification of the fire department is important. The dispatcher will ask questions regarding the emergency. Stay calm and give the dispatcher the information they request.

IF THE DOOR IS WARM TO THE TOUCH

Before you try to leave your apartment or office, feel the door with the back of your hand. If the door feels warm to the touch, do not attempt to open it. Stay in your apartment or office.

Stuff the cracks around the door with towels, rags, bedding or tape and cover vents to keep smoke out.
If there is a phone in the room where you are trapped, call the fire department again to tell them exactly where you are located. Do this even if you can see fire apparatus on the street below.
Wait at a window and Signal for help with a flashlight or by waving a sheet.
If possible, open the window at the top and bottom, but do not break it. you may need to close the window if smoke rushes in.
Be patient. Rescuing all the occupants of a highrise building can take several hours.

IF THE DOOR IS NOT WARM TO THE TOUCH

If you do attempt to open the door, brace your body against the door while staying low to the floor and slowly open it a crack. What you are doing is checking for the presence of smoke or fire in the hallway.
If there is no smoke in the hallway or stairwells, follow your building’s evacuation plan.
If you don’t hear the building’s fire alarm. pull the nearest fire alarm “pull station” while exiting the floor.
If you encounter smoke or flames on your way out, immediately return to your apartment or office.

AFTER A HIGHRISE FIRE EMERGENCY

Once you are out of the building, STAY OUT! Do not go back inside for any reason.
Tell the fire department if you know of anyone trapped in the building.
Only enter when the fire department tells you it is safe to do so.

MAINTAIN AND INSTALL WORKING SMOKE ALARMS

No matter where you live, always install smoke alarms on every level of your home. Test them monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.

Remember, fire safety is your personal responsibility… Fire Stops WithYou!