by Brent Mix Captain and Public Information Officer
Hello again, to residents and visitors of the beautiful White Mountains of Arizona!
This month, in most parts of the country, people are adjusting their clocks to daylight savings time. The US Fire Administration feels that the time change is a good reminder to check your smoke alarms.
Our recommendation at Show Low Fire, is that you check your smoke detectors once a month. I know its hard to bring yourself to push that test button and listen to that eery ear piercing alarm sound, but that could save your life!
We also recommend that you change your battery in your smoke detector once a year. Since we don’t change our clocks to daylight savings time. Its a good idea to come up with a date to replace your battery in your smoke detector, whether its Christmas, New Years a birthday. Its a great idea to replace those batteries yearly, and don’t just replace one. Replace them all!
A properly installed and maintained smoke alarm is the only thing in your home that can alert you and your family to a fire 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether you’re awake or asleep, a working smoke alarm is constantly on alert, scanning the air in your home for fire and smoke. These warriors of defense, must be maintained! A smoke alarm with a dead battery is the same as not having a smoke alarm at all.
This safety message was brought to you by the USFA and the Show Low Fire District.
Be safe, Love much, Laugh often.
Fire safety tips to ensure merry and happy holiday
By: Captain Brent Mix , Public Information Officer
Christmas time is upon us, where has this year gone? The Show Low Fire Department would like to share a few safety tips with all of the White Mountain residents, this holiday season.
A real tree should not lose green needles when you tap it on the ground.
- Cut one inch off the trunk to help absorb water.
- Leave the tree outside until ready to decorate.
- The tree stand should hold at least 1 gallon of water. A six foot tree will use one gallon of water every two days.
- Mix a commercial preservative with the water.
- Check the water level every day.
- Secure the tree to the wall, to prevent tipping.
- Keep the tree away from floor heaters, fire places or other heat sources.
- Use only UL-listed lights and no more than three strands linked together.
- Use miniature lights, which are cooler than bigger older bulbs.
- Turn off Christmas lights when you sleep or if you leave your home for very long.
- Never use candles on real or fake trees.
- Dispose of the tree properly.
The holiday season is typically regarded as extending from late November to early January and includes Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza and New Year’s Day. Using the latest three years of data, the yearly estimated fire loss for Dec. 24-26 is estimated at over $80 million. Each year, these losses result from an estimated 11,600 fires that required a fire department response. These fires cause an annual average of approximately 250 injuries and 40 fatalities.
From all of us, at Show Low Fire. Have a safe and happy holiday season.
