Editor’s note: Starting with our inaugural edition, News on the Green will run a regular column of fire safety and health tips written by Randy Richman. Richman is a part-time Brookfield firefighter and paramedic, chairman of the Brookfield Fallen Firefighters Foundation, a firefighting instructor and regional director of hyperbaric medicine for Shared Health Services Inc., which brings him in contact with hospitals in Ohio and Pennsylvania. “I’ve always had a passion for public safety, helping and educating others,” Richman said.
Fall Fire Safety
It’s that time of year again. Cooler temperatures, shorter days, changing our clocks, and the holiday season! Be sure to keep these fall fire safety tips in mind to have a safe one.
- Change your smoke detector batteries when you change your clocks for the end of daylight savings time, which is Nov. 5. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends monthly tests of smoke detectors, battery changes twice a year, and replacing detectors every 10 years.
- Establish and practice a fire escape plan with your family that includes a designated meeting area outside the home.
- Don’t leave cooking food unattended on the stove.
Speaking of cooking, if you plan to fry your Thanksgiving bird, keep these tips in mind:
- Keep outdoor fryers off decks, out of garages and a safe distance away from trees and other structures.
- Make sure the turkey is thawed and dry before cooking. Ice or water that mixes with the hot oil can cause flare-ups.
- Turn off the burner before lowering the turkey into the oil. Once the turkey is submerged, turn the burner on.
- Wear goggles to shield your eyes, use oven mitts to protect your hands and arms and keep a grease-rated fire extinguisher close by.
