Did you know that in 2002, a fire department responded to a fire somewhere in the U.S. every 19 seconds? (Source: "Fire Loss in the United States During 2002," NFPA)

Through simple precautions, many of these fires are preventable:

 

• Stay in the kitchen while cooking.
• Keep portable and other space heaters at least three feet away from things that can burn.
• Keep matches and lighters out of sight and out of reach of children.
• Keep smoke alarms clean (vacuum to remove dust and never paint over smoke alarms) and test regularly.
• Store flammable chemicals safely and out of the living area.
• Have working, portable fire extinguishers in or near the kitchen, laundry room, workshop, fireplace and anywhere fire could be a danger.
• Do not use light bulb wattage that is too high for the fixture.
• If a circuit breaker trips or a fuse blows often, immediately cut down on the number of appliances on that line.
• Do not use extension cords with electrical space heaters.
• Strike your match before turning on the gas in a fireplace.
• Have your chimney inspected by a professional prior to the start of every heating season.
• Draw and practice a fire escape plan (see below).

The how-to’s of an escape plan!
 

Knowing how to escape your home in a fire can be difficult. Smoke and fire can disorient you, making you a stranger in your own home. Having an escape plan will help:
 

• Be neat.
• Draw a map of your home, showing and labeling every room, door and window.
• Show two exits out of each room.
• Make sure the exits are not blocked.
• Choose, then draw an outside meeting place.
• Write your fire department’s emergency number on the map.
• Practice your escape plan on a regular basis.

 

Poison Protection
 

Of all poison exposures, 89 percent occur in the home, and 53 percent of the victims are under the age of 6. In fact, poison centers handle an average of one poison exposure every 14 seconds. More poison facts:

Most Dangerous Poisons:

• Medicines
• Cleaning products
• Antifreeze
• Windshield washer solution
• Hydrocarbons (kerosene, paint thinner, lighter fluid)
• Carbon monoxides
• Pesticides
• Wild Mushrooms

Poison Prevention

• If you need to leave an area while using a product, take it with you.
• Store all products in original containers - Do not store in food containers.
• Do not call medicine "candy;" children cannot tell the difference.
• Keep a bottle of Ipecac Syrup in a medicine cabinet.
• Know the names of the plants in your yard and label them.
• Never mix household and chemical products together.
• Never take medicines in the dark.

Source: American Association of Poison Control Centers

 

Safety for Seniors

• When outside of the home, go with friends or family, not alone.
• Don't carry credit cards you don't need or large amounts of cash.
• Use direct deposit for Social Security and other regular checks.
• Sit close to the driver or the exit while riding the bus, train or subway.
• If something makes you uneasy, trust your instincts and leave.
• Ask for photo identification from service or delivery people before letting them in. If you are worried, call the company to verify.
• Be sure your street address number is large and clear of obstruction.
• Do not fall for anything that sounds too good to be true.
• Never give your credit card, phone card, Social Security or bank account number to anyone over the phone.
• Do not let anyone rush you into signing anything.
• Beware of individuals claiming to represent companies, consumer organizations or government agencies that offer to recover lost money from fraudulent telemarketers for a fee.
• If you are suspicious, check out any company with the police, or the Better Business Bureau.

Source: National Crime Prevention Council

 

Safety on the Street
 

• Choose busy streets and avoid passing vacant lots, and stick to well-lighted areas at night.
• Do not walk or jog alone.
• Get to know the neighborhoods where you live and work.
• Carry your purse close to your body, and keep a firm grip on it. Carry a wallet in an inside coat pocket or front pants pocket.
• Do not overload yourself with packages, and avoid wearing shoes or clothing that restrict your movements.
• Carry a whistle or other sound device in case of an emergency.
• If your car breaks down, raise the hood or tie a white cloth to the street-side door handle - stay in the locked car.
• Always carry an emergency kit in your car.
• When using buses or subways, only use well-lighted, busy stops.
• Stay alert on buses or subways; do not doze or daydream.
• Send the message that you are calm, confident and know where you are going.
• Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you uneasy, avoid the person or situation and leave as soon as possible.
• Keep in mind locations of fire and police stations and public telephones. Remember which stores and restaurants stay open late.
• Take the fastest route to and from schools, stores and friends' houses.
• Do not display your cash or any other inviting targets such as pagers, cell phones, or expensive jewelry and clothing.
• Have your car or house key in your hand before you reach the door.
• Always have an emergency kit in your vehicle.

Source: National Crime Prevention Council

 

Safety in the Workplace
 

• If you plan to work late or arrive early, try to arrange your schedule to coincide with another employee's.
• If you are working late, ask the security guard or a co-worker to escort you to your car.
• Lock your purse or wallet in a drawer or closet at all times.
• Check the identification of any stranger or any delivery or repair person who wants to enter a restricted area or move equipment.
• If you notice any suspicious persons or vehicles, call security or the police.
• Keep emergency numbers for security, police, and fire assistance posted near every phone.
• Never write down a safe or vault combination or a computer password.
• Make sure your office has an evacuation plan.
• Make sure there is a designated meeting location in the event of an emergency, and that every employee knows what it is.
• Make special emergency plans for co-workers who are disabled or may require assistance during an emergency.
• Have a printed list of important phone numbers at your desk.

Source: National Crime Prevention Council

 

Child Safety
 

Teach children to:

• Use the telephone properly in case of emergencies and practice making emergency phone calls with them.
• Memorize their name, address and phone number, along with your work phone number.
• Walk confidently and stay alert to what's going on around them.
• Refuse rides or gifts from someone they don't know well.
• Know where to go in an emergency.
• Tell a trusted adult immediately if anyone, even a teacher or close relative, touches or speaks to them in a way that makes them uncomfortable.

If children are home alone after school, make sure they know:

• The check-in procedure to follow, whether with you at work or with a neighbor.
• Emergency telephone numbers.
• Not to let strangers into the home.
• Not to tell telephone callers that they are alone.
• How to work the door and window locks.
• Your rules about acceptable behavior.
• Not to go into the home if a door is ajar or a window is broken.

Source: National Crime Prevention Council

 

Travel Safety

At the airport
 

• Stay especially alert and watch your bags and computer carefully at all times.
• Watch out for staged mishaps.
• Carry your purse close to your body, or your wallet in an inside front pocket.
• Keep a separate record of the contents of checked luggage.
• Avoid displaying expensive cameras, jewelry and luggage that might draw attention.

At the hotel
 

• Never leave luggage unattended.
• Keep all hotel doors and windows locked.
• Insist that hotel personnel give your assigned room number so others can't hear it.
• Learn the locations of fire exits, elevators and public phones.
• Make sure your room has an indoor viewer and dead bolt lock.
• Keep valuables in the hotel safe.
• Ask hotel staff about the safety of the neighborhood and what areas to avoid.
• Before taking a cab, ask the staff about directions and estimated costs.
• Always verify who's at your door.
• Do not display hotel room keys in public or leave them in places where they are easily stolen.

Source: National Crime Prevention Council

Vehicle Theft Prevention

• When buying a used car from an individual or a dealer, make sure you have the proper titles, and that the VIN number is still intact. The federal sticker on the inside of the driver's door should match the VIN.
• Never leave your car running or the keys in the ignition when you're away from it.
• Always roll up the windows and lock the car.
• Park in busy, well-lighted areas.
• Be alert when parking in enclosed parking garages.
• Carry the registration and insurance card with you.
• Look into CAT (Combat Auto Theft) and HEAT (Help Eliminate Auto Theft) partnership programs where individuals voluntarily register their cars with the police, and allow the police to stop the car during certain hours when they normally would not be driving.
• Etch the VIN number on windows, doors, fenders and trunk lid. This helps discourage professional thieves who would have to either remove or replace etched parts before selling the car.
• Be especially alert at intersections, gas stations, ATMs, shopping malls, convenience and grocery stores - all are windows of opportunity for carjackers.
• Beware of the "bump-and-rob," which is when a driver bumps you in traffic, and has a passenger steal your car when you get out to check the damage.
• Before getting in your car, make sure to look underneath and inside the car.