FROM THE DESK OF FIRE CHIEF CARL ROSSINI

I would like to say thanks to everyone for their assistance after the natural disaster on April 27, 2014. The outpouring of support from surrounding and out-of-state fire departments was tremendous.

The department strives to get the word out to the children in the community about fire safety each year. With  special visits from the kindergarten classes, Mrs. Arnold’s class, and Harp’s Fall Festival, we were able to give out 300 bags to children, consisting of coloring books, pencils, erasers, fire hats, and bookmarks, to help teach them about fire safety.

***This year, we have received grant funding in the amount of $28,900. Without this grant money, we would have not been able to purchase fire hoses, fire nozzles, AWIN Radios, supplies for kids, a stationary generator for the substation, and other needed fire supplies. Our department has been recently awarded a grant to help with the cost of new tornado sirens  and a  stationary generator for the Central Station.  We invite everyone to keep up-to-date with the City of Mayflower’s website and the Fire Department Facebook  page.

Wishing Everyone A Safe & Happy Holiday Season

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***UPDATE: The Mayflower Fire Department is pleased to announce that we have received grant funding from the Arkansas Community Foundation in the amount of $28,158.11 for the purchase of Eclipse 8 sirens. The grant funds will be used to buy 2 new stationer sirens to be placed inside the city limits, replacing the rotating ones located at Mitchell Street and Jackson Ave. We are currently working on other grants to have the rotating sirens moved to White City Road and Easterwood Point Road, so that the rural areas will be notified, as well. The total cost of the entire project will be $ 52,947.60.

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Reminder: Fire safety is very important in the winter. Have your fireplaces checked & cleaned, be cautious of space heaters, and  overloading the electrical circuit. (We have had several fires  because of overloading outlets w/electronics or space heaters.) WHEN  NOT  AT HOME OR NOT IN USE, TURN THEM OFF OR UNPLUG  THEM.

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Christmas Tree Safety

Each year, fire departments respond to an average of 210 structure fires caused by Christmas trees. Carefully decorating Christmas trees can help make your holidays safer.

Picking the tree: If you have an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled, certified, or identified by the manufacturer as fire retardant. Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.

Placing the tree: Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 1″ – 2″ from the base of the trunk. Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights. Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit. Add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily.

Lighting the tree: Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both. Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of LED strands to connect. Never use lit candles to decorate the tree. Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.  

After Christmas: Get rid of the tree when it begins dropping needles. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside against the home. Check with your local community to find a recycling program. Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.

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 Some Simple Safety Rules

Your kids have the right kind of sled and properly fitted helmets, they’re dressed warmly, and you’ve picked out a perfect hill for them to sled down. They’re ready to go. There are still a few rules they need to follow, though, to keep themselves and other sledders safe:

• Be sure a responsible adult is present to supervise. In the event someone does get injured, there should always be an adult ohand to administer first aid and, if necessary, take the injured sledder to the emergency room. Call 911 for serious injuries, including neck or head injuries.
• Young kids (5 and under) should sled with an adult, and kids under 12 should be actively watched at all times.
• Children should always sit face-forward on their sleds. Never let them sled down a hill backwards or while standing, and make sure they don’t go down the hill face-first, as this greatly increases the risk of a head injury.
• Insist that kids go down the hill one at a time and with only one person per sled (except for adults with young kids).
• Don’t let kids build an artificial jump or obstacle on a sledding hill.
• Remind kids to keep their arms and legs within the sled at all times. If they fall off the sled, tell them to move out of the way.  Teach them that if they’re on a sled that won’t stop, to roll off it and get away from it.
• Make kids walk up the side of the hill and leave the middle open for other sledders.
• Never allow a child to ride a sled that is being pulled by a moving vehicle.

While it’s unlikely that kids will be injured while sledding, the possibility definitely exists. Just take a little extra time to dress them properly and make sure they follow these safety guidelines. They’ll have a better time, and you’ll rest easier knowing you have less to worry about. Sledding is supposed to be fun; keep your kids safe and warm, and you’ll ensure that it is!

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Check these 10 tips off your list and get ahead of the winter freeze.

• Our furnace has been inspected and serviced by a qualified professional during the last 12 months. (A furnace should be serviced at least once a year.)
• Our chimneys and vents have been cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional.
• I have checked for creosote built-up. (Not cleaning your chimney is the leading cause of chimney fires from built up creosote. This service needs to be done at least once a year.)
• Our wood for our fireplace or wood stove is dry, seasoned wood.
• Our fireplace screen is metal or heat-tempered glass, in good condition and secure in its position in front of the fireplace.
• We have a covered metal container ready to use to dispose cooled ashes. (The ash container should be kept at least 10 feet from the home and any nearby buildings.
• Our children know to stay at least 3 feet away from the fireplace, wood/pellet stove, oil stove or other space heaters.
• Our portable space heaters have an automatic shut-off.
• Our portable space heaters will be plugged directly into an outlet (not an extension cord) and placed at least three feet from anything that can burn; like bedding, paper, walls, and even people. (Place notes throughout your home to remind you to turn off portable heaters when you leave a room or go to bed.)
• We have tested our smoke alarms and made sure they are working. (You need smoke alarms on every level of the home, inside each sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. For the best protection, the smoke alarms should be interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound.)
• We have tested our carbon monoxide alarms and made sure they are working. (Carbon monoxide alarms should be located outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.)

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SAFE WINTER DRIVING

PREPARE

• Maintain Your Car: Check battery, tire tread, and windshield wipers, keep your windows clear, put no-freeze fluid in the washer reservoir, and check your antifreeze.
•  Have On Hand: flashlight, jumper cables, abrasive material (sand, kitty litter, even floor shovel, snow brush and ice scraper, warning devices (like flares) and blankets. For long trips, add food and water, medication and cell phone.
•  Stopped or Stalled? Stay in your car, don’t overexert, put bright markers on antenna or windows and shine dome light, and, if you run your car, clear exhaust pipe and run it just enough to stay warm.
•  Plan Your route: Allow plenty of time (check the weather and leave early if necessary), be familiar with the maps/ directions, and let others know your route and arrival time.

PROTECT YOURSELF

• Buckle up and use child safety seats properly.
•  Never place a rear-facing infant seat in front of an air bag.
•  Children 12 and under are much safer in the back seat

PREVENT CRASHES

• Drugs and alcohol never mix with driving.
•  Slow down and increase distances between cars.
•  Keep your eyes open for pedestrians walking in the road.
•  Avoid fatigue – Get plenty of rest before the trip, stop at least every three hours, and rotate drivers if possible.
•  If you are planning to drink, designate a sober driver.

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WATCHES & WARNINGS

Winter Storm Watch Severe winter conditions, such as heavy snow and/or ice are possible within the next day or two. Prepare now!

Winter Storm Warning Severe winter conditions have begun or are about to begin in your area. Stay indoors.

Frost & Freeze Warning Below freezing temperatures are expected and could cause significant damage to crops, vegetation and fruit trees.

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The CodeRED system is used to send EMERGENCY notifications, from evacuation notices to missing child alerts.  Residents and businesses located within Faulkner County are encouraged to sign up for CodeRED to be sure they receive timely emergency notifications and other important information and instructions when alerts are issued.  This is our way of notifying you in an emergency situation.

When you enroll in the CodeRED system, alerts are issued to you by your geographical location.  Alerts can be sent to your cell phone, land line, by text, and even email.  You get to choose!

With CodeRED, you get the option of also receiving the CodeRED Weather Warning.   These alerts are automatically generated when the National Weather Service issues a warning for your location. This early warning could prove to be life saving.

The CodeRED ALERT SYSTEM is free to Faulkner county residents. To sign up for CodeRED, click on the picture at the top of the article.  It will only take a few minutes to enjoy a service that just may save your life.  Please tell all of your friends and family about this invaluable service. If they don’t have computer access, have them contact our office and we will be happy to assist them.

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Non-Emergency 501-470-1200                                              Fax 501-470-2752

carl.rossini@mayflowerar.org                                               jennifer.mawhinney@mayflowerar.org

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