One Million Free Smoke Alarms Installed #OKfire

Altus Fire has a FREE smoke alarm program.  Please contact your local fire department or the American Red Cross for information.

Last week, the American Red Cross announced that its Home Fire Campaign installed one million free smoke alarms.  Due to the efforts of volunteers and community partners who participated in the campaign, 285 lives have been saved. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program provided funding for this initiative, and several Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) volunteered for the campaign. FEMA also encourages CERTs throughout the Nation to join the American Red Cross in Sound the Alarm community events this spring.  From April 28 to May 13, 2018, this initiative plans to install 100,000 free smoke alarms across more than 100 major cities. Joining is simple! Follow these steps to sign up to be a Sound the Alarm volunteer: Go to www.redcross.org/sound-the-alarm. Scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your zip code to find a nearby event. Scroll down again and click the region nearest you. Scroll down again to “Volunteer Opportunities,” click the event that works for you. Once you choose the event, fill out the short application. Be sure to type “CERT team/program name” in the Group/Organization field so FEMA can recognize your participation.

Don't forget your car this winter

Winterize Your Car

Don’t hit the road without a jack or until your car is ready for winter weather. There are specific emergency items to store in your car during the winter. There are also maintenance checks to keep you safe, your vehicle warm and your engine running.   Follow these tips and find more winter preparedness information at Ready.gov. Check or have a mechanic check items, such as: Antifreeze levels - ensure they are sufficient to avoid freezing. Battery and ignition system - should be in top condition and battery terminals should be clean. Exhaust system - check for leaks and crimped pipes and repair or replace as necessary. Carbon monoxide is deadly and usually gives no warning. Heater and defroster - ensure they work properly. Lights and flashing hazard lights - check for serviceability. Windshield wiper equipment - repair any problems and maintain proper washer fluid level. Install good winter tires - Make sure the tires have adequate tread. All-weather radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions. However, some jurisdictions require that to drive on their roads, vehicles must be equipped with chains or snow tires with studs. Add winter items to the emergency kits in your vehicles: A shovel. Windshield scraper and small broom. Water. Snack food. Extra hats, socks and mittens. Necessary medications. Blanket(s). Tow chain or rope. Road salt and sand. Additional winter preparedness tips are available to keep your family safe and warm all winter long. To view more, check out the America’s PrepareAthon! How to Prepare for a Winter Storm guide.

Do your turkey well; not welldone #OKfire

Add Safety to Your Thanksgiving Menu

Deep frying a turkey may be delicious but it can also be dangerous. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires and frying food increases the risk. Keep your family safe by following these five safety tips: Use your turkey fryer only outdoors on a sturdy, level surface away from things that can burn. Make sure to have a “3-foot kid- and pet-free zone” around your turkey fryer to protect against burn injuries. Turkey fryers can easily tip over spilling hot oil across a large area. Determine the correct amount of oil needed by first placing the turkey in the pot with water. An overfilled cooking pot will cause oil to spill over when the turkey is placed inside. Make sure your turkey is completely thawed before you fry it. A partially frozen turkey will cause hot oil to splatter. Check the temperature often with a cooking thermometer so the oil will not overheat. Turkey fryers can easily overheat and start a fire. Use long cooking gloves that protect hands and arms when you handle these items. The pot, lid and handles of a turkey fryer can get dangerously hot and cause burn injuries. For more tips, visit the USFA’s Cooking Fire Safety page.