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PHOTO: One of many ways you can support firefighters by slowing down and moving over when you’re driving and encounter firetrucks and other emergency vehicles. Inattentive drivers are the major cause of secondary roadway incidents as well as deaths and injuries of firefighters working at an emergency scene.
By Vicki Schmidt
When firefighters talk about fire to families it usually revolves around fire prevention and safety tips. The topics will be things like making sure your home has working smoke detectors, establishing and practicing a fire escape plan, and not playing with matches. You’ve heard them all before. But have you ever thought about how your family can support firefighters in other ways?
As much as kids love secret play and hiding places, don’t encourage them. If a fire breaks out in your home, firefighters will be less likely to find your child. We know the standard places that children will hide, such as under the bed and in closets. But secret hide-a-way places, especially those with small doors and no windows, are not only against building codes, they create attractive and deadly places to hide from the dangers of fire.
Out and about on a family drive or taking kids to their endless activities? Any time you are driving, please stay attentive to your driving, especially when encountering an emergency incident. Inattentive drivers are the major cause of secondary roadway incidents as well as deaths and injuries of firefighters working at an emergency scene. Maine’s Pull Over Law requires motorists to move to a farther lane “if safe and possible to do so, or to slow to a safe and reasonable speed” for any stationary emergency vehicle that is displaying flashing lights.
Another firefighter and scene safety law that motorists must be aware of is to never drive over a fire hose. It is against the law in Maine to drive over an unprotected fire hose without the consent of the police or fire department official in command of the scene.
Children are often either afraid of fire or intrigued by it. The best time to talk to children about fire is before an emergency, and before their curiosity becomes experimentation. First Alert has a website with resources on how to talk to children about fire, firstalert.com/us/en/safetycorner/talk-to-your-kids-about-fire-safety.
In Maine, you can also dial 211 for local resources, or contact the State Fire Marshal for no-cost services specifically designed for children ages 3-17, by phone at 207-626-3870 and online at www.maine.gov/dps/fmo/resources/juvenile.
With modern times come modern sources of fires. None are as challenging as lithium-ion batteries. Toys, cellphones, laptops, kitchen items, shop tools, and more run on lithium-ion batteries. Fires involving lithium-ion are very hard to fight. To help prevent these types of fires, ensure your family knows the best way to care for cordless and rechargeable items. First and foremost: only charge any battery, especially lithium-ion, when you’re home and present. Recharge batteries in an area without combustibles, and monitor the packs. When the device is fully charged, take it off the charger to prevent over-charging. Do not let anyone charge their phone or tablet while it’s on the sofa, in bed, or on any combustible surface. Realize too, that lithium-ion batteries are more easily damaged than regular alkaline batteries. Even minor damage can lead to gas leaks and “thermal runaway” that can easily start a major fire.
The good news is many batteries, especially lithium-ion, are recyclable. To find a location near you, check out call2recycle.org. They have a great locator service that can help you find a no-cost drop off location in Maine. In the meantime, if you do have a damaged device or other item with a damaged or possibly damaged lithium-ion battery, don’t risk a fire. Until you can get the battery or device to a recycling center, store it in a fireproof container. For example, a phone that has been dropped on concrete or run over by a vehicle? Place it in a metal can and fill the can with sand. For larger batteries, use a metal bucket or tub and fully cover with sand. Sand helps exclude oxygen and keeps fires from igniting and spreading to nearby combustibles.
Your local first responders work diligently to stay prepared for all sorts of emergencies. Whether at home or on the road, we sincerely appreciate your assistance to help keep us and your family safe and secure from emergency incidents.
— Vicki Schmidt is a Maine state fire instructor and volunteers with the Buckfield Fire Department, as well as several regional and state fire training organizations.
