Each year, members of Hopewell Hose participate in Fire Prevention in our local schools and daycare centers. This is held in October, on the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire which happened over 100 years ago. We do this to help ensure our community is educated about fire prevention and protection in the event of an emergency. Areas covered include dialing 9-1-1; smoke detector & carbon monoxide alarms; practicing fire drills & having a meeting place; stop, drop & roll; never play with matches or lighters, and most importantly never be afraid of firefighters!
Sparky the fire dog is with us to educate the children on stop, drop & roll!
In conjunction with visits to the local schools, we also participate in an open house with the fire district where there are demonstrations provided for the public (children & adults) as well as information disseminated regarding emergency preparedness.
Additionally, we provide tours of the fire house and apparatus for the girl and boy scouts of our community. We also assist them with completion of their fire prevention and first aid badges.
Safety Alert for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
With the arrival of the holiday season, the Division of Consumer Protection would like to pass along important information regarding Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning. Winter months hold the highest risk for CO poisoning, which is a safety issue wherever and whenever you burn fuel. Whether you are heating your home, cooking a Thanksgiving meal, or staying cozy before the fireplace, you are at risk. Remember, if you have fire, you have carbon monoxide!
Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is undetectable to the human senses. You may not know you are being exposed until it’s too late. Please read the follow tips and information to help keep you and your family safe all year long. Please pass along and feel free to display the CO Safety Poster to pass along this important message!
Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips
§ Never use portable generators inside homes or garages, even if doors and windows are open. Use generators outside only, far away from the home.
§ Keep any flammable materials away from the stove and oven, don't leave the kitchen unattended if you're cooking.>
§ Never bring a charcoal grill into the house for heating or cooking. Do not use grills in the garage.
§ Never use a gas range or oven for heating.
- Have your home heating systems (including chimneys and vents) inspected and serviced annually by a trained service technician.
§ Open the fireplace damper before lighting a fire. Keep the damper open until the ashes are cool. An open damper may help prevent build-up of poisonous gases inside the home.
§ Install battery-operated CO alarms, or CO alarms with battery backup, in your home outside separate sleeping areas.
§ If you suspect CO poisoning, get outside to fresh air immediately, and then call 911.
Know the Symptoms of CO Poisoning:
§ Because CO is odorless, colorless, and otherwise undetectable to the human senses, people may not know that they are being exposed. The initial symptoms of low to moderate CO poisoning are similar to the flu, but without the fever.
Symptoms include:
o Headache
o Fatigue
o Shortness of breath
o Nausea
o Dizziness
§ High levels of CO poisoning results in progressively more severe symptoms, including
o Mental confusion
o Vomiting
o Loss of muscular coordination
o Loss of consciousness
o Ultimately death
§ Symptom severity is related to both the CO level and the duration of exposure.
Slowly developing residential CO problems - Occupants and/or physicians can mistake mild to moderate CO poisoning symptoms for the flu, which sometimes results in tragic deaths.
Rapidly developing high level CO exposures (e.g., associated with use of generators in residential spaces) - Victims can rapidly become mentally confused, and can lose muscle control without having first experienced milder symptoms; they will likely die if not rescued.
