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Expecting Inspectors

"When is Fireman Sam coming?" asked my boy while we were expecting the fire marshal to come for his inspection yesterday.  Fire Marshal Terry arrived in the mid-morning to do a walk-through, educated, and inspect for fire safety in our home.  Although the children spared Terry their impressions of a fire siren, they did play well together and helped in being tour guides through the house.  Terry asked the children questions like: "What would you do if you see a lighter or a match lying around?" and "Where is your family meeting place if there would be an emergency inside the home?"  Breathe in. Hold it. The kids answer correctly, wheww, release breath!  No, it wasn't too bad and the kids were very interested in learning more about fire safety in their home.

Todd and I are very fire safety conscious.  We had a kitchen fire in our previous home, and we also witnessed our neighbors home burn to ashes in a matter of minutes.  It was absolutely terrible and sadly, a life was lost in that accident. This has a great impact on our preparing our home for fire prevention and early detection.  Basically, we over do it.  So to have the fire marshal come was actually interesting to me to learn more about fire safety!  Weird. I know.

Some basic things that the fire marshal looks for are:
1. Battery smoke detectors in every bedroom, and at the top of each staircase.  These will be tested for working condition and to make sure they are not more than 10 years old.  If so, they need replaced.
Bonus: laundry room, garage, above electrical box, and well, every room!
2. Two exits for every bedroom (most likely- a window and a door to a hallway)
3.  Carbon monoxide detectors if gas fuel heat or wood stove heat.
4.  No overloaded outlets, or overloaded extension cord use.
5.  Hazardous materials are out of reach of children and a safe distance from any heat sources.
6.  Panel box/switch box is safe and that the door is kept closed.
7.  Proper clothes dryer ventilation.
8.  A family safety plan has been established and practiced.
9.  Matches and lighters, candles and such are out of reach of children and that children are educated not to touch these things but to tell an adult.
10.  Heating furnace, wood stove, hot water tank, etc. are kept free from clutter and boxes


Fire Marshal Terry even gave the kids a Fire Safety coloring book, stickers, and hats for the littlest ones.  Thank you firemen and women for all you do!



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