WMFD holds fire safety event

Stay safe this fall and winter with fire safety tips from the West Memphis Fire Dept.

By DON WILBURN

donaldfwilburn@gmail.com

Not to be outdone by a silly worldwide “ring of fire” eclipse the West Memphis Fire Department held their own Fire Safety event also on Saturday reminding folks that while a ring of fire in the sky may be a beautiful sight, back here on Earth is is a bad, bad thing.

The event was held at Tilden Rodgers Park from 11a.m to 3p.m. and featured live music, up-close and

See SAFETY, page A3

Mayor McClendon (center) poses for a photo with Fire Chief Barry Ealy (right).

Photo by Don Wilburn

A simulated helicopter extraction.

From page A1

personal fire truck and ambulance tours, live fire and vehicle extrication demonstrations and game-based fire and burn education and even free barbecue.

With that, the WMFD would like to remind West Memphians that every year as temperatures fall the number of fires rise and this fall the West Memphis Fire Department wants you to be warm and safe with these fall fire safety tips.

First of all, make sure you have working smoke alarms in every bedroom and on every floor of your home. Three out of five house fire deaths result from properties without working smoke alarms.

The WMFD offered the following additional tips:

■ ■ When turning on a central heating system it is important to remember that cobwebs and dust might have built up in the system since the previous year and residents should be alert for signs of smoke or burning smells for the first few days. Fire Chief Robert Mabe of the West Memphis Fire Department advises that many of these smells result in false alarms but it is better to be safe than sorry.

■ ■ If you use a space heater make sure to keep anything that can burn such as bedding, clothing and curtains at least three feet away from the heater and make sure the heater has an automatic shutoff in case it tips over. Turn heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room. Plug portable heaters directly into outlets and never into extension cords or power strips and replace any heaters that show wear and tear.

■ ■ For those that have a fireplace, keep a glass or metal screen in front to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out. Do not burn paper in your fireplace and be sure to put the fire out before you go to sleep or leave your home. Put ashes in a metal container with a lid outside at least three feet from your home and make sure you have your chimney inspected and cleaned each year by a professional. Also, when using a fireplace, it is imperative that you make certain the flu is open to avoid possible carbon monoxide poisoning.

■ ■ Many people like to use candles during the dark days of fall but candles are an open flame which means they can easily ignite. The Fire Department encourages use of battery operated candles rather than open flame candles. If you do decorate with open flame candles keep the following tips in mind keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn never leave a candle burning in a room without a responsible adult. Never light candles when you are drowsy.

As a family, make a home fire escape plan and set a meeting place outside make sure everyone in your family knows at least two escape routes from their bedrooms.

Photos by Don Wilburn

LEFT: Attendees even got to tour the helicopter. RIGHT: The WMFD demonstrated the procedures and protocols in the case of an accident.