See Video – https://youtu.be/n3XljyiJTfA

We hope you have enjoyed our Fire Prevention Week postings. Remember, Fire Safety Awareness is a year-round responsibility. There is a disturbing statistic in Michigan right now. So far in 2020, there have been 78 home fire fatalities. Three-out-of-five of these deaths occurred in homes without working smoke alarms. PLEASE test your alarms. If you need alarms or know of someone who should get them you can call the American Red Cross - Southwest Michigan (269-353-6180, ext. 7181) to secure FREE smoke alarms. Contact us (269-637-5151) if you need help in determining where alarms should be installed in your home.

COVID prevented us from hosting our traditional Fire Safety Fun Night. We'll be back in 2021. Here's a selection of photos from our 2019 Fun Night – http://www.shaes.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=public:oct_2019

See Video – https://youtu.be/fc_0Oq2tjQQ

You've probably put your swimsuits away now that summer has passed, but being safe in the water, especially Lake Michigan, is on our mind. Water safety tips are included in our Fire Prevention Week messaging this year. The goodies bag sent home with our school kids includes the Beach Safety Poster that was created in cooperation with the Bronson-South Haven “Safe Kids” initiative. We encourage you to post it at your home. Extra copies are available at our Blue Star Fire Station.

One of our favorite activities when SHAES responders visit the schools during Fire Prevention Week is teaching the kids the Stop, Drop and Roll. COVID is preventing us from being in the schools this year so we are asking parents/grandparents to help us. Here are some photos of our staff with the kids in previous years. You can see that the grownups can have fun practicing the Stop, Drop and Roll. (We like to add “Make Some Noise” when teaching this.) Here is a link you will find helpful in teaching the Stop, Drop and Roll – https://www.nfpa.org/.../lntblevel1stopdroproll.pdf…

See video – https://youtu.be/jsVty0g33m4

Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen is the theme of this year's national Fire Prevention Week campaign. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the U.S.

Here are some tips:

* Never leave cooking food unattended. If you have to leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.

* Use a timer to remind you that you're cooking.

* You have to be alert when cooking. You won't be alert if you are sleepy, have taken medicine or drugs, or consumed alcohol that makes your drowsy.

* Always keep an oven mitt and pan lid nearby when you're cooking, If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan to smother the flame. Turn off the burner and leave the pan covered until it is completely cool. DO NOT TRY TO EXTINGUISH A COOKING FIRE WITH WATER!

* Have a “kid-free-zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

* Call 911 immediately. Execute your home fire escape plan.

Neighboring Holland has created a video about kitchen fires – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK3owUTqJAU

SHAES firefighter Tim is pictured at a recent residential kitchen fire.

See Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GKM4ahJ0hE&feature=youtu.be

It is important for families to develop a home fire escape plan. The best escape plan will mean very little it it's not practiced. Together as a family, you should practice escaping from a fire at least twice a year. Fire Prevention Week is a perfect occasion to practice. Practice your escapes from all rooms of your house. At the same time, you should practice staying low when there's smoke, getting out quickly, and once outside, staying outside. Share your Escape Plan with SHAES. Draw it on a piece of paper, take a picture of it with your phone and then email it to Chief Hinz (bhinz@shaes.org). Be sure to include your name, email and phone #. We'll be awarding SHAES t-shirts to the best.

Home Escape Planning Tips – https://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/NFPA._Escape_Planning_tips._7.2019._MIPLogo_ECS._Final_663894_7.pdf

See Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg8B7HlijkI&feature=youtu.be

Our homes are where people are at greatest risk from fire. Properly placed working smoke alarms are lifesavers. Start Fire Prevention Week by testing the smoke alarms in your home. Did you know that alarm batteries should be replaced annually?

Don't have smoke alarms? The American Red Cross, Southwest Michigan provides FREE smoke alarms. To schedule an in-home visit call 269-353-6180, ext. 7181.

Need advice where to install alarms in your home? Call SHAES (269-637-5151) and we'll help you. Learn more about the importance of smoke alarms – https://www.michigan.gov/.../NFPA._Smoke_alarm_tips._7…