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GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TIPS

  • Residents are reminded that smoke detectors are the single most important life-saving device in the home.  Most fatal home fires happen between midnight and 6 a.m. when people are sleeping.  Every home should have at a minimum one smoke detector on every level of the house and it is also recommended to have one in every bedroom.  Smoke detectors should be tested monthly and the batteries should be changed twice a year when you change your clock.  Smoke detectors save lives!!! 
  • Every home should take the time to develop a family escape plan.  The plan should include two exits from every room, a predetermined meeting place outside, and it should be practiced once a year.  Once you safety escape your house, never re-enter the structure.
  • Talk with your children and the explain the dangers of fire making sure they know that matches and lighters are tools, not toys, and should only be used by adults
  • Use 9-1-1 to report emergencies.  The number is universal and gives you access to the police department, fire department, and emergency medical services.
  • If your clothes catch on fire, remember to stop, drop, and roll.
  • In order to escape the potentially deadly effects of smoke, poisonous gases, and super-heated air, stay low and crawl under the smoke.
  • A five-pound A-B-C, dry chemical, fire extinguisher is recommended for every household.  Although it is not a substitute for calling the fire department, with proper training it may limit damages in the event of a fire.  The procedure for using a fire extinguisher is PASS; Pull the pin, Aim the nozzle, Squeeze the handle, and Spray at the base of the fire.
  • During a true emergency every second counts; therefore, it is important that residents properly mark their address numbers on the house or both sides of their mailbox.  Address markings should be at least four inches tall and a reflective or contrasting color.
  • Residents who smoke are reminded to exercise extreme caution when it comes to the disposal of cigarette butts.  Every year firemedics respond to a number of fires caused by carelessly discarded cigarettes.  Some of these fires have occurred when the butts are dropped into landscaping mulch that can smolder for quite awhile before flames occur.  Unfortunately, some of these fires have caused extensive damage to homes and property.  Residents are also reminded not to smoke in bed, when they are tired, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol because of the dangers of falling asleep or loosing track of the cigarette and catching their clothes on fire.

SUMMER SAFETY TIPS

  • Fireworks - Simply put, fireworks are best left to the professionals.  Plan to enjoy the holidays by attending one of the many public fireworks displays in your area.
  • Swimming Pools - Swimming pools are fun and relaxing for the whole family; however, some safety issues should be addressed.  Everyone is encouraged to take lessons and no one swim alone.  Beware of the depth you dive into because it may be shallow.  Children should never be left unattended near water, not even for just a second.  For the safety of all, follow local building codes to properly secure the pool area with fences and self-closing and self-latching gates.
  • Bicycling - Everyone should be encouraged to wear a helmet when bicycling.  Children 12 and under are required by law in the City of Strongsville to wear a helmet.  It is important to obey all traffic laws when bicycling and to be a defensive driver to anticipate what other drivers are going to do.
  • Barbecuing - When barbequing, check the connection between the tank and the fuel line.  Hot coals should be disposed properly by dousing with plenty of water and never placing the coals in plastic, paper, or wooden containers.  Fuel of any kind should never be added to a charcoal fire because it may flash back on you.
  • Gasoline - A spontaneous fire may ignite as a result of static electricity when filling portable gas cans.  Gas cans should be removed from the vehicle and placed on the ground.  When filling the container, contact should be made with the gas nozzle and the container and maintained throughout the filling process to help dissipate the static electricity.  People are also reminded not to re-enter their vehicle during the filling process and to avoid using portable electronic devices, such as cell phones, while filling gas cans.

WINTER SAFETY TIPS

  • Carbon Monoxide (CO) – Each year in the United States, carbon monoxide poisoning sends over ten thousand people to hospital emergency rooms, and takes the lives of hundreds.  During the heating season, Strongsville residents are reminded that malfunctioning heating equipment is the primary source of carbon monoxide.  The best protection against carbon monoxide poisoning is prevention.  Homeowners should have their furnaces inspected and maintained by a certified professional heating contractor.  Residents are reminded to use precautions when warming up their cars by immediately backing it out of the garage to prevent carbon monoxide from entering the house.  Homeowners should protect their families by installing carbon monoxide detectors that provide protection and peace of mind by detecting dangerous levels of carbon monoxide gas, which is odorless, colorless, and tasteless.
  • Fireplaces – During the cold weather month, many homeowners will be using fireplaces to assist in heating their homes or just for the pleasing atmosphere created by a warm, crackling fire.  Care needs to be taken as fireplace use can lead to damaging fires in the home.  These fires are most often caused by heat radiating from a chimney or the fireplace to adjacent combustible materials.  By following a few basic safety rules, fireplace use can be an enjoyable experience.  Fireplaces and chimneys should be inspeceed and cleaned reuularly and short, hot fires are better than long, smoldering ones.  A fireplace screen, or preferably glass doors, should be used to keep embers from escaping the fireplace.  A fire should never be left unattended, especially with children around, and the fire should be extinguished before leaving home or going to bed.  Dry wood should be stored a safe distance from the fire and flammable liquids should never be used to start a fire.  Ashes should be removed after they have been allowed to cool for several days and place in a metal container. 
  • Alternative Heating Sources – As residents get their monthly gas bills and notice the increase cost of heating their homes, they may be tempted to use alternative heating devices.  Residents, who use space heaters, electric, kerosene, or propane, must keep all combustible material at least three feet away.  Space heaters are intended to be used as supplemental heat only and should be turned off when leaving home or going to bed.  Electric space heater should be plugged directly into the wall outlet without using an extension cord.  Kerosene heaters should be refueled with clean fuel and away from any open flames.  It is important to avoid an explosion by storing kerosene in a properly designed and well-marked container.
  • Christmas Tree Safety – Live Christmas trees should be freshly cut and the tree stand kept full of water.  A tree that is shedding its needles is a sign of a dry tree.  If you use an artificial tree, be sure it is flame-retardant and has a UL seal.  Trees and all flammable decorations should be kept away from open flame and other heat sources and they should not be placed close exit doorways.  All electric light should be Underwriters’ Laboratory (UL) approved, electrical circuits should not be overloaded, and the use of extension cords should be avoided.  Electrical cords should not be run under rugs or through doorways because over time the wires will become frayed and cause an electrical short or can become a trip hazard.
  • Candle Safety - Use candles with extreme care, keeping them a safe distance from any combustible materials.  Candles should be used in non-combustible candle holders and extinguished before leaving home or going to bed.
  • Fire Hydrants – Fire hydrants sometimes get buried under snowdrifts or as a result of snowplowing.  Residents are asked to help keep the snow clear around fire hydrants, especially on cul-de-sac streets.  In the event of a fire, a reliable water source is quickly needed and time spent locating a buried fire hydrant can make a drastic difference I the outcome of the fire.

If you would like a home fire inspection or have a fire prevention or safety question, please contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at 440-580-3225 or click here. Strongsville Fire and Emergency Services has developed a Home Fire Safety Guide to help residents be better prepared to fight the dangers of fire.