National Fire Prevention Week 2017 started Sunday October 8th and went until Saturday October 14th. The NFPA (National Fire Prevention Association) is sharing all sorts of helpful tips.
First, they suggest drawing a map of your home with all members of your family, marking two exits from each room and a path to the outside from each exit. Next, practice your home fire drill at least twice a year. PLan to conduct one at night and one during the day with everyone in your home, and practice using different ways out. It is very important to teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them. Thirdly, make sure the number of your home is clearly marked and easy for the fire department to find and see. Close doors behind you as you leave – this may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire. Lastly, once you get outside, stayoutside. Never go back inside a burning building. Follow these intructions and tips to increase the safety of your family in an emergency.
Anoka Champlin Fire Open House
When I heard about the Anoka Champlin Fire department open house, I was thrilled and immediatly put it on my calender. If there is one thing I am most appreciative of, it’s the men and women who put their life on the line everyday making sure the community is safe. On Saturday October 7th, to kick off Fire Prevention Week, the Anoka Champlin Fire Department celebrated 160 years of service. The community was invited to an open house at the department. The open house fell on the most beautiful fall day, and the Fire department created a very welcoming experience for the community. Cookies and beverages were provided, along with demonstrations, one involving a mock kitchen fire.
Community Support
I attended the event with my dear friends Angie and Lauren Springer. As we approached the event we were so excited. Seeing families with kids walking around. Listening to giggles and chatter from affar. Gazing at the beautiful Anoka police and fire department as we entered the open house. Walking around we had the pleasure of observing the many aspects of the fire trucks and socializing with the fire fighters. This is community. This is what Anoka is all about.
Learning and Observing
Walking through the fire station was very intriguing. It looks exactly like the movies! Seeing the amount of gear, it takes, is astonishing. We floated around the fire station for some time, every person I saw had a big smile on their face. It was very evident that the community was having fun. Children were trying on the fire fighters uniform, climbing the the driver seat and even spraying a water hose on a house display. Our attention was drawn to two men giving a demonstration on kitchen fires and how to handle them the right way.
We learned that if a fire starts on your stove, the first thing you need to do is remove the oxygen by closing the pan with a lid. The scond step is to gturn off the gas on the stove. Next, grab your home fire extinguisher and aim it at the bottom of the fire. Spraying the top will not do anything, you have to get to the root. Start by spraying from far away nd then move forward slwoly. Spraying the extinguisher too close, too fast with cause the fire to move more places. The most common mistake people make is trying to use water to put out the fire. The photo below is what happened to the stove fire when the fire fighters poured only one cup of water on the fire.
Thank you Anoka Champlin Fire for putting on this event. It was very educational, welcoming and fun. 