Waterloo Volunteer Fire Department
Comedy Night with the Fire Department
Thank you to all that came to support us!
***BENEFIT DINNER***
To benefit Seneca County Sheriff’s Sergeant Doug Dickenson and Family whose home and belongings
Were destroyed by fire on January 25, 2012
WHEN: Saturday, February 18, 2012
TIME: Serving starts at 4:30 p.m. until ?
WHERE: Fayette Fire House – Route 414 – Fayette, NY
COST: $10.00 – all proceeds go directly to the Dickenson family
Fried Haddock or Fried Shrimp Dinner, French Fries, Cole Slaw, Dinner roll and Ice Cream
EAT IN OR TAKE OUT
Winter Safety Spotlight: Carbon Monoxide
Exposing an Invisible Killer: The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide
Each year in America, more than 150 people die from accidental non-fire related CO poisoning associated with consumer products. These products include faulty, improperly-used or incorrectly-vented fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, stoves, water heaters and fireplaces. Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) would like you to know that there are simple steps you can take to protect yourself from deadly carbon monoxide fumes.
Understanding the Risk
What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure.
Where does carbon monoxide come from?
CO gas can come from several sources: gas-fired appliances, charcoal grills, wood-burning furnaces or fireplaces and motor vehicles.
Who is at risk?
Everyone is at risk for CO poisoning. Medical experts believe that unborn babies, infants, children, senior citizens and people with heart or lung problems are at even greater risk for CO poisoning.
What Actions Do I Take if My Carbon Monoxide Alarm Goes Off?
What you need to do if your carbon monoxide alarm goes off depends on whether anyone is feeling ill or not.
If no one is feeling ill:
1. Silence the alarm.
2. Turn off all appliances and sources of combustion (i.e. furnace and fireplace).
3. Ventilate the house with fresh air by opening doors and windows.
4. Call a qualified professional to investigate the source of the possible CO buildup.
If illness is a factor:
1. Evacuate all occupants immediately.
2. Determine how many occupants are ill and determine their symptoms.
3. Call your local emergency number and when relaying information to the dispatcher, include the number of people feeling ill.
4. Do not re-enter the home without the approval of a fire department representative.
5. Call a qualified professional to repair the source of the CO.
Protect Yourself and Your Family from CO Poisoning
- Install at least one carbon monoxide alarm with an audible warning signal near the sleeping areas and outside individual bedrooms. Make sure the alarm has been evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Carbon monoxide alarms measure levels of CO over time and are designed to sound an alarm before an average, healthy adult would experience symptoms. It is very possible that you may not be experiencing symptoms when you hear the alarm. This does not mean that CO is not present.
- Have a qualified professional check all fuel burning appliances, furnaces, venting and chimney systems at least once a year.
- Never use your range or oven to help heat your home and never use a charcoal grill or hibachi in your home or garage.
- Never keep a car running in a garage. Even if the garage doors are open, normal circulation will not provide enough fresh air to reliably prevent a dangerous buildup of CO.
- When purchasing an existing home, have a qualified technician evaluate the integrity of the heating and cooking systems, as well as the sealed spaces between the garage and house. The presence of a carbon monoxide alarm in your home can save your life in the event of CO buildup.
Portable Generator Safety
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC):
- From 1999 to 2010, nearly 600 generator-related carbon monoxide (CO) deaths have been reported to the CPSC.
- CO poisoning from generator use causes an annual average of 81 deaths. The majority of the deaths occurred as a result of using a generator inside a home’s living space, in the basement or in the garage.
- One generator produces as much CO as hundreds of cars. CO from a generator is deadly and can incapacitate and kill you within minutes.
Download This Poster (PDF, 590 Kb)
Portable generators are useful when temporary or remote electric power is needed, but they can be hazardous. The primary hazards to avoid when using them are carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock or electrocution, and fire.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) would like you to know that there are simple steps you can take to prevent the loss of life and property resulting from improper use of portable generators.
To Avoid Carbon Monoxide Hazards:
- Always use generators outdoors, away from doors, windows and vents.
- NEVER use generators in homes, garages, basements, crawl spaces, or other enclosed or partially enclosed areas, even with ventilation.
- Follow manufacturer's instructions.
- Install battery-operated or plug-in (with battery backup) carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your home, following manufacturer's instructions.
- Test CO alarms often and replace batteries when needed.
To Avoid Electrical Hazards:
- Keep the generator dry. Operate on a dry surface under an open, canopy- like structure.
- Dry your hands before touching the generator.
- Plug appliances directly into generator or use a heavy-duty outdoor- rated extension cord. Make sure the entire extension cord is free of cuts or tears and the plug has all 3 prongs, especially a grounding pin.
- NEVER plug the generator into a wall outlet. This practice, known as backfeeding, can cause an electrocution risk to utility workers and others served by the same utility transformer.
- If necessary to connect generator to house wiring to power appliances, have a qualified electrician install appropriate equipment. Or, your utility company may be able to install an appropriate transfer switch.
To Avoid Fire Hazards:
- Before refueling the generator, turn it off and let it cool. Fuel spilled on hot engine parts could ignite.
- Always store fuel outside of living areas in properly labeled, non-glass containers.
- Store fuel away from any fuel-burning appliance.
Heating Fire Safety
Each winter the high cost of home heating fuels and utilities causes many Americans to search for alternate sources of home heating. The use of wood burning stoves is growing and space heaters are selling rapidly. Fireplaces are burning wood and man-made logs. All these methods of heating may be acceptable. They are however, a major contributing factor in home fires.
Many of these fires can be prevented. You can prevent the loss of life and property resulting from heating fires by being able to identify potential hazards and following a few safety tips:
- All heaters need space. Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.
- Use heating equipment that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
- Make sure all fuel-burning heating equipment is vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
- Only purchase portable space heaters with an automatic shut-off so if they’re tipped over they will shut off.
- Allow wood stove and fireplace ashes to cool before disposing of them in a tightly covered metal container. Keep the container at least 10 feet away from your home.
I know you changed your clocks but did you change your batteries in your smoke detector and carbon monixide alarms?
THANK YOU TO ALL THAT STOP BY TO SAY HI AT OUR OPEN HOUSE!!
Bob and Linda make sure everything is set for the visitors to see our equipment, photos and articles from the past that are the history of the Waterloo Fire Dept
Firefighters show the public the use of the jaws of life to remove a victim from a vehicle.
THANK YOU TROUTS FOR THE DONATION OF THE VEHICLE!!
HAVE YOUR HEATER OR WOOD STOVE SERVICED BEFORE YOU USE IT THIS HEATING SEASON!!
BURNING LAW
Effective on October 14, 2009, all open burning is prohibited in New York with several exceptions including the following:
- Campfires less than 3 feet in height and 4 feet in length, width or diameter are allowed.
- Small cooking fires are allowed.
- Fires cannot be left unattended and must be fully extinguished.
- Only charcoal or clean, dry, untreated or unpainted wood can be burned.
- Ceremonial or celebratory bonfires are allowed.
Burning is not allowed from March 16 through May 14 due to the increased risk of wildfires.
THE "MOVE OVER" LAW
The “Move Over Law” took effect in New York State January 1, 2011. The “Move Over Law” will requiring motorists to change lanes or slow down when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle or else risk getting a ticket.
Under the new law, failing to “exercise due care” when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle could result in fines of up to $275, mandatory state surcharges of either $80 or $85 depending on the court and up to 15 days in jail.
The members of the Waterloo FD and Ladies Aux would like to thank you for you continued support into 2012!
A Fireman's Prayer
When I am called to duty, God, whenever flames may rage;
Give me strength to save some life, whatever be its age.
Help me embrace a little child before it is too late
Or save an older person from the horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout,
And quickly and efficiently to put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me.
To guard my every neighbor and protect his property.
And if, according to my fate, I am to lose my life;
Please bless with your protecting hand, my children and my wife
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