With the change of daylight saving time beginning Sunday, March 14, 2010 the Riverside Fire Department reminds you that when you change your clock, change the batteries in your smoke alarms.  According to the National Fire Protection Association, a working smoke alarm increases your family’s chances of a safe escape from a fire by more than 50 percent.

The Riverside Fire Department suggests you install at least one smoke alarm inside every sleeping area and on every level of your home.  But installation is just the first step in protecting your family from fires.  Smoke alarms also need to be tested and maintained if they are to continue to be your family’s nose at night. 

The Riverside Fire Department offer these simple maintenance tips to ensure your smoke alarms are in good working order:

Testing – Test each alarm once a month to make sure it’s operating.  Testing is the only way to ensure it’s working to protect you.  Push the test button and listen for the alarm.  If you can’t reach the alarm, stand under it and push the test button with a broom handle.

Replacing Batteries – If your smoke alarms are battery-operated, replace the batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  Do this at least twice a year (an easy reminder — change your clock, change your batteries), or when the alarm chirps, alerting you the battery power is low.  Replace the batteries immediately if you move into a new home.  Make sure no one disables your smoke alarms by borrowing batteries for other uses.

Cleaning – Just as you clean your home, your smoke alarms need to be cleaned.  Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.  Cobwebs and dust usually can be removed with a vacuum cleaner attachment.  If you are going to be doing work nearby that could send dust in the air, cover the alarm with a shield.  Also, shield the alarm if you are painting around it, and never paint on it.  Remove the shield promptly after work is completed.

Please Contact the Riverside Fire Department at 741-1191 for information about the free smoke alarm program or other helpful fire safety tips.

2009 was the first full year of operation for Riverside’s Fire Department.  This summary of activity for the year shows that adding a fulltime Fire Department made Riverside a safer place.  Here are the highlights:

• Responded to 3 structure fires.
• Responded to 720 medical calls.
• Made an additional 205 other types of calls.
• Responded to 42 motor vehicle accidents.
• 15 mutual aid requests were either made or responded to.
• Fire Division members spent a combined 5,070 in training (this includes training conducted both on and off site).
• Prevention and Education put on 85 different formal fire safety programs.
• 514 fire safety inspections were conducted that identified 892 violations, all of which were corrected.

- Guest post by Chief Greg Mills, Director of Public Safety

With the onset of the holiday season, it is important to focus on fire safety and prevention. The celebration of the season brings with it increased usage of electric lights, decorations, candles, and the ever popular Christmas tree, all of which can be potential fire hazards. By following general fire safety precautions, potential holiday fires, deaths, and injuries remain preventable.

Christmas Trees
What’s a traditional Christmas morning scene without a beautifully decorated tree? If your household includes a natural tree in its festivities, take to heart the sales person’s suggestion – “Keep the tree watered.”  Christmas trees account for hundreds of fires annually. Typically, shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires. Well-watered trees are not a problem. A dry and neglected tree can be.

Selecting a Tree for the Holidays
Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needles should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long and, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.

Caring for Your Tree
Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree. Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.

If you have any question concerning this issue please contact the Riverside Fire Department Prevention and Education Unit at 741-1191.