January 2010 Newsletter

January 2010 Newsletter

HOW TO RUIN A CRIMINAL’S DAY

Criminals love cars that have bags, purses,
cell phones, and other easily pawned items in full view. It only
takes a spark plug to crack the window and grab and run. So ruin
a criminal’s day by having a boring, empty car: store stuff in the
trunk or take it inside! “It’s no fun if you can’t steal
something!”

January is here and with it comes
unpredictable weather! Following is an article from the Home
Safety Council about winter safety. Remember, “An ounce of prevention
is worth a pound of cure!”

Safety Steps for Wintry Weather
(source: www.homesafetycouncil.org)

Winter
brings bitter winds, icy paths and dipping temperatures. But perhaps
the most chilling result of wintry weather is the marked increase in
home injury during this season.

“Carbon monoxide, home fires
and power outage hazards pose harmful threats to our families and their
well being,” says Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council.
“Unfortunately, only 35 percent of homeowners have a carbon monoxide
detector in their home – leaving more than half of families exposed
to this silent killer.”

The Home Safety Council recommends following
these simple steps to avoid potential dangers during the winter months:

Carbon Monoxide Precaution: Heating
Systems and Gas Appliances

• Install at least one smoke alarm
and CO alarm on every level of your home and near sleeping areas.

• Have a trained professional inspect,
clean and tune-up central heating system and repair leaks.

• Keep gas appliances properly adjusted
and serviced.

• Avoid using a cooking stove to heat
your home.

• Never use a gas grill inside your
home or in a closed garage.

Home Fire Precautions: Fireplaces
and Wood Stoves

• Burn only wood- not trash, cardboard
boxes, or Christmas trees because these items increase the risk of uncontrolled
fires.

• Check the chimneys you use regularly
every year for cracks, blockages and leaks

• Keep all persons and flammable objects,
including wallpaper, bedding, clothing and pets, at least 36 inches
away from fireplaces and wood stoves.

• Open flues when fireplaces are in
use.

• Hire a professional sweep to clean
your chimney at least once a year to prevent creosote build-up.

House
Fire Precautions: Space Heaters

• Turn off space heaters before leaving
a room or going to sleep.

• Supervise children and pets at all
times when a portable space heater is in use.

• Use proper fuel in kerosene space
heaters.

• Avoid using space heaters to dry
flammable items such as clothing or blankets.

• Keep all flammable objects at least
three feet from space heaters.

Power Outage Precautions: Lighting
Sources and Perishable Food

• Stock up on batteries, flashlights,
portable radios, canned foods, manual can openers, bottled water and
blankets

• Use flashlights instead of
candles to avoid a possible fire hazard

• Run water at a trickle to help prevent
pipes from freezing and bursting if outside temperatures are below freezing
for an extended period of time and your home has no heat.

• Store perishable food outside in
the snow or in an unheated outside building if power goes out.

For additional information and resources
to help you learn more and stay safe in and around your home, please
visit www.homesafetycouncil.org.