We're here for you!

Services Available

Fire Safety Presentation:  For Associations, Churches, Clubs, Organization, Schools and Day Cares, etc.

• Public Assembly Fire Safety

• Practice For Life (Evacuation for senior citizens and disabled)

• Getting Out Alive

• Home Fire Evacuation (The whole family)

• Latchkey Kids (Children home alone)

• Small Hands - Big Fire

• Play it Safe - Burn and injury prevention

• Red The Firedog & The 3 P's of Fire Safety

• Snuffy & Spanner ( A couple of cLoWnS )

In-Service/Training Opportunities: Medical field, Public Service and Businesses.

• Fire in the Work Place

• Getting out Alive

• Public Assembly Fire Safety

• Fire Extinguisher Demo  (Businesses to supply fire extinguisher.)

Residential: One and two family, multi-family dwellings.

• Assist in fire drills. (Does your family have an escape plan?)

• Home Fire Inspections. (When was the last time you inspected your home for fire hazards?)

For additional information contact our fire prevention office from Monday through Friday   8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Call   352.688.5021, or E-mail shfr6@innet.com

Fire Prevention Week

Cover the bases & Strike out fires!

Spring Hill Fire Rescue has teamed up with the nonprofit NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) to "Cover the Bases & Strike Out Fire" during Fire Prevention Week. NFPA’s new public safety campaign brings baseball and fire safety together to teach children and their families simple steps they can take to strike out the risk of home fires.

Score a fire safety home run - do a home fire safety inspection!

Striking out fire in your home requires a little homework. Take about 20 minutes to inspect your home. As you go from room to room, answer the questions below. For each question you answer "yes" to , five yourself a point. When you’re finished, add up the points to find out your score. Kids, ask a grown-up to help you complete this checklist!

First Base - Cooking Safety

__ Yes __ No     Does a grown-up always stay in the kitchen when food is cooking on the stove?

__ Yes __ No     Are stove tops and counters clean and uncluttered?

__ Yes __ No     Are there Pot holders within easy reach of the stove?

__ Yes __ No     Are pot handles turned inward so they can’t be bumped?

__ Yes __ No     Are curtains and other things that can burn well away from the stove?

__ Yes __ No     Is there a "kid-free" zone of three feet around the stove when grown-ups are cooking?

Second Base - Heating Safety

__ Yes __ No     Are portable space heaters always turned off when adults leave the room or go to sleep?

__ Yes __ No     If space heaters are used in your home, are they at least three feet away from anything else that can burn, including people, furniture, and pets?

__ Yes __ No     Does you fireplace have a sturdy screen to catch sparks?

__ Yes __ No     Has your chimney been inspected and cleaned during the past year?

__ Yes __ No     Has your furnace been serviced by a professional in the past year?

__ Yes __ No     Are propane tanks and other fuels stored outside your home?

Third Base - Electrical Safety

__ Yes __ No     Are extension cords used safely? (Are they not under carpets or across doorways?)

__ Yes __ No     Are electrical cords in good condition, without cracks or frayed areas? (A grown-up should unplug lamps and appliances before inspecting cords.)

__ Yes __ No     Are kitchen appliances - such as the coffee-maker, toaster oven, and microwave - plugged into separate receptacle outlets? (Small appliances should be unplugged when not in use.)

Home Plate - Smoke Alarms/ Home Fire Escape

__ Yes __ No     Does your home have working smoke alarms on every floor and inside or near all sleeping area?

__ Yes __ No     Are the batteries working in all your smoke alarms? (A grown-up should help by pushing the test button to find out.)

__ Yes __ No     Are all the exits in your home clear of furniture, toys, and clutter?

__ Yes __ No     Does your family have a home fire escape plan that includes two exits, usually a door and a window, from each room?

__ Yes __ No     Has your family picked a safe place to meet outside after you exit your home?

__ Yes __ No     Have you and your family practiced a home fire drill within the last six months? (Why not do one tonight?)

__ Yes __ No     Do you know the emergency number to call from a neighbor’s phone once you get outside?

What’s your Fire Safety Batting Average?

If you answered "yes" to all of the checklist questions above, congratulations! You scored a fire safety home run!

If you answered "yes" to 15 to 20 questions, you’ve made it to third base. Just make a few adjustments, and you’ll easily hit a fire safety home run.

If you answered "yes" to 10 to 14 questions, you’ve hit a double. You’re going in the right direction, but you’ve got some work to do before you get to home plate.

For Further Information 
stop by the NFPA Fire Prevention site at
http://www.firepreventionweek.org/

SNUFFY & SPANNER'S Quiz`n tips

How much have you learned about fire safety?  Each month a new question will be posted. Come by and take our Quiz.   Don't really know the answer? Never fear, the correct answer will be given. Spanner and I learn something new every day and we hope you will, too.

Have a fire safe day,

Snuffy

The smoke detector goes off during the night and awakens you and your family. There is a hint of smoke in the air and everyone crawls out of their bedroom window. You try to remember if your mother-in-law was informed of the family's escape plan. This is only her second night here. As you arrive at the pre-planned meeting place, with a sigh of relief, you see her with the children. Everyone is accounted for and a neighbor runs over saying the fire department has been called. You look back at your home to see smoke and flames pouring out of the livingroom window. Suddenly, you remember the keys to the car were left on your night stand. If you could only grab them, you'll be able to move the car away from the house and at least save the car. Grandma says "My insulin is in the refrigerator and I need it." Johnny is calling for Skipper, the puppy, who is nowhere in sight.

What should you do?

1. Grandma's insulin is very important, go back in the house for that.

2. The car keys are the most important to have. You can always get more insulin.

3. Skipper, is the cutest little puppy. Johnny would be heartbroken. He's the most important to rescue.

4. Do nothing.

Answer:...... Do nothing, stay put. When Firefighters arrive inform them of your concerns.                        As each one is important to you, the most important is your life. Let the                                professionals handle it.

                        Remember: Never go back into a burning house.

Summer of 2000

So far this year, 2000 will be remembered as the driest across the United States. Especially, here in Florida. With the drought index being so high, everyone can contribute to helping us through this critical time, by doing their part in keeping their neighborhood, community and other areas safe by utilizing the following list.

Remove dead shrubs, plants and trees from your property.

Follow the local watering restrictions.

No open burning is allowed. (Exception: Grills used for cooking. Use caution whenever you grill making sure you do not grill under trees or eves of your home.

Fireworks may again be banned this year. The lack of rain and rash of fires throughout the state may warrant a non-fireworks (including ‘sparklers’), but safe, Fourth of July.

Do not discard cigarettes in your yard or out of the window of your vehicle. Grass, weeds, and trees everywhere are considered ‘timber’ and a spark of any kind, much less your hot cigarette, can start a fire that can spread like ‘wild fire’ and consume thousands of acres and homes.

Report any suspicious behavior of adults or children seen in or near a fire area.

With the hot weather upon us and relatives visiting, we must remember that Florida is the leading state in pool drownings each year. One would think we would be on top of pool safety, for the number of homes with pools in our state. But, unfortunately, with new people arriving from other areas of the country and from our taking-for-granted that everyone knows not to let small children alone by the pool, we have become lax in following the safety procedures that should be followed all year round.

NEVER leave small children unattended in or near the pool, even for a moment. Take the child/children with you to answer the doorbell/phone or do not answer, either one.

Keep flotation devices and a cell phone near the pool at all times.

Never use the pool area as a PLAY area. A child or an adult can trip and fall into the pool. (‘Horse Play’ has ended in serious injuries and even death for many.)

Keep all doors leading to pool area LOCKED at all times when you are not present. (Do not think, even for a moment, that a napping toddler or small child will not awake and wonder into the pool area, while you are busy on the phone, washing clothes, taking a shower, or napping yourself.)

Learn CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation).

Preparing for Winter

As the temperature drop the number of residential fires goes up. SHFR Fire Prevention wants you to prepare for a safe winter by taking the following precautions.

• Before the home heating season begins, have a qualified serviceman inspect your furnace and change filters. ( Make sure not to store or place combustible nor flammable materials near the furnace.)

• If you have a fireplace or wood stove that you use for heating, make sure it's cleaned and inspected by a qualified chimney sweep. Burn only dry, well-seasoned hard woods, and never leave fire unattended. A wood stove should have a minimum clearance of 36 inches between stove and combustible walls and ceilings. Flammable liquids should never be used to start or accelerate a   fire. Place ashes in metal container and store away from the house.

• Potable space heaters are to have a clearance of 36 inches on all sides. Follow the manufacturer's suggestions for proper operation and maintenance.

• Remember: When starting the heat for the first time of each season, an odor will occur because of dust burn-off. Should the odor continue or smoke occur, call your fire department - 911.

• Your heating equipment should be examined today...... Before the cold weather arrives.         

For additional information contact our fire prevention office from Monday thru Friday   8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Call   352.688.5021, or E-mail shfr6@innet.com

Holidays are thought of as happy times, a chance to celebrate with family and friends. We offer the following suggestion to keep your holiday safe:

• When purchasing a live tree, look for the following signs of freshness. A fresh tree is green. Needles will be hard to pull from branches when bent between your fingers. Fresh needles don’t break if bounced on the ground, and a minimum number of needles should fall off.

• To keep your tree fresh, cut off about two inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better absorption of water and keep the stand filled with water.

• When placing your tree, make sure it is kept away from sources of heat, like fireplaces or heat vents, and out of the way of traffic. Do not place magnifying style ornaments on tree if placed in front of window.

• Check out your lights before placing them on the tree. Look for worn or frayed wires and broken bulbs. Use only UL approved and listed wiring. Make sure you do not overload extension cords or place them under rugs or doorways. Lights should be turned off before leaving the home or retiring for the night.

• Tinsel and certain ornaments can be very hazardous to pets.

• Take care when using candles. Keep them away from other combustible or flammable decoration. Place them where they cannot be knocked over or reached by children. Do not leave lit candles in a unattended room.

• Make sure your smoke detector are working properly. Have a fire drill with your family. What better Christmas gift to each other than for the whole family to escape safely in case of a smoke/fire emergency.

• Keep pets, children, and toys out of kitchen area while preparing meals.

• Trees starting to show signs of drying should be taken down and disposed of properly.

Remember, fires don’t take a holiday and by taking some precautions, you and your family can celebrate a fire-safe holiday.

For additional information contact our fire prevention office from Monday thru Friday   8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Call   352.688.5021, or E-mail shfr6@innet.com

HAVING A SAFE THANKSGIVING!

Thanksgiving is a time for families to gather around the table and give thanks for all their Blessings. The Fire Prevention Division wants everyone to keep in mind the following:

1. Keep children, toys and pets out of the kitchen while preparing the meal to avoid

tripping and burning hazards.

2. Remember to Put A Lid On It, should a fire occur while frying.

3. Handles are to be turned in toward the back of the stove.

4. Do not leave the cooking unattended.

5. The pool area is not a play area. Do not leave small children alone without adult

supervision (even for a few moments).

6. Let older children and adults know the doors to the pool area are to remain locked to

prevent small children from entering and drowning.

7. A candle centerpiece may look pretty on the dining table, but care must be taken:

A) Keep lit candles away from dried leaves.

B) Use a stable candle holder to prevent tipping

should the table be jarred.

C) Do not leave children unattended with lit candles in the room.

For additional information contact our fire prevention office from Monday thru Friday   8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Call   352.688.5021, or E-mail shfr6@innet.com

Spring Cleaning

It’s that time of year, again! When the weather reminds us summer is almost here and trees and flowers are budding and blooming. The time for spring cleaning is at hand. While washing windows, cleaning out the garage, or weeding the flower beds......Keep the following checklist handy:

1. __ Electric heaters and blankets are checked for frayed or separating cords.

2. __ Manufacturer’s instructions are followed for proper washing, care and storage of                   electric blankets.

3. __ Trash, boxes, piles of clothes and other combustibles in the home are eliminated to                   reduce the chance of fire in the home.

4. __ Storage areas such as garages, attics and sheds are cleaned out on a regular basis                  as not to allow areas in the home to become tempting fuel for a fire.

5 .__ Items no longer in use are either thrown or given away to prevent clutter.

6. __ Oily rags are either cleaned, thrown out or stored in a closed metal container. This                   includes dusting rags used with a furniture polish or spray. Oily rags can ignite                   without a heat source as they produce their own heat.

7. __ Windows are checked for defects. All bedrooms windows can easily be unlocked                   and opened.

8. __ Dead leaves and branches are cleaned up from yard and trimmed back from house                   or overhanging the roof.

9. __ Area outside all doors and bedroom windows are cleared to allow a safe escape                   should a fire occur.

*When you changed the clocks, did you change the batteries in all your smoke detectors!

For additional information contact our fire prevention office from Monday thru Friday   8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Call   352.688.5021, or E-mail shfr6@innet.com