Public Education/Prevention
Riley Fire Department does a variety of prevention programs throughout the year. From tours at the firehouse and educational programs for children to standing by at your event in case of an emergency. If would like to schedule Riley Fire Department for an event, please contact Lt. Murphy.
Child Passenger Safety
Is your child properly restrained in your vehicle?
Did you know that vehicle crashes remain the number one killer of children of ages 2-14 in the United States and that 4 out of 5 car seats are misused? Indiana law requires all children under 8 years of age must be buckled up in child restraints that meet or exceed federal safety standards (look for the label on the seat) when riding in a motor vehicle. Children ages 8 to 16 must either be in a child restraint or a safety belt. This applies to all vehicles including trucks and SUV’s. This law also applies to all vehicle seating positions. If this law is not followed, the driver commits a Class D infraction which carries a $25 fine.
Safe Kids Worldwide is a global network of organizations whose mission is to prevent accidental childhood injury, a leading killer of children 14 and under. More than 450 coalitions in 15 countries bring together health and safety experts, educators, corporations, foundations, governments and volunteers to educate and protect families.
Car crashes remain the number one killer of children under the age of 14 in the United States. Safe Kids Buckle Up, the largest program of Safe Kids Worldwide, teaches parents and caregivers to use the right safety gear for their kids in their vehicles on every ride.
For more information visit Safe Kids Worldwide at: http://www.usa.safekids.org/
What to schedule an appointment with one of our Certified Child Safety Seat Technicians?
Scheduling an appointment is simple!
Kitchen Safety
How Safe Is Your Kitchen?
Anyone who is responsible for a child’s safety – including parents, grandparents, babysitters and older siblings – must have a basic understanding of the fire and burn risks in the kitchen. Keep children at a safe distance from hot liquids. A drink heated to 140˚ F can cause a burn in 5 seconds. At 160˚ F, a burn will occur in 1 second. A child’s quick movement could spill hot fluid and cause a serious burn.
When toddlers are in the home, avoid using a tablecloth. If a child tries to pull himself up by the tablecloth, a heavy object or hot liquid on the table could fall on the child.
Keep all hot items near the center of the table to prevent a young child from reaching them.
While cooking, keep young children in a high chair or playpen, at a safe distance from hot surfaces, hot liquids and other kitchen hazards.
Use extra caution if you use deep fat (oil) cookers/fryers when young children are present. The fat or oil may reach temperatures over 400˚ F, hot enough to instantly cause a very serious burn.
Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter receptacles near sinks and other wet areas.
Keep appliance cords away from the edge of counters, and keep them unplugged and disconnected when not in use. A dangling cord is dangerous because it can get caught in a cabinet door or be pulled by a curious child.
Stay in the kitchen, don’t leave cooking food unattended.
Do not become distracted while cooking.
Regularly clean your cooking equipment so that there are no cooking materials, food items or grease accumulation.
Have a pot lid handy to smother a pan fire. Do not attempt to pick up the pot or pan. Shut off the heat and cover the fire with a lid. Do not use water. It will cause splashing and spread the fire.
For more information on burn prevention and awareness visit the Shriner’s Hospital for Children website.
Smoke Detectors
Protect Yourself and Your Family Today!
In the event of a fire, properly installed and maintained smoke alarms will provide an early warning alarm to your household. This alarm could save your own life and those of your loved ones by providing the chance to escape.
Why Should My Home Have Smoke Alarms?
In the event of a fire, a smoke alarm can save your life and those of your loved ones. They are a very important means of preventing house and apartment fire fatalities by providing an early warning signal — so you and your family can escape. Smoke alarms are one of the best safety devices you can buy and install to protect yourself, your family, and your home.
What Types of Smoke Alarms Are Available?
There are many different brands of smoke alarms available on the market but they fall under two basic types: ionization and photoelectric.
Ionization alarms sound more quickly when a flaming, fast moving fire occurs. Photoelectric alarms are quicker at sensing smoldering, smoky fires. There are also combination smoke alarms that combine ionization and photoelectric into one unit, called dual sensor smoke alarms.
Because both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms are better at detecting distinctly different yet potentially fatal fires, and because homeowners cannot predict what type of fire might start in a home, the USFA recommends the installation of both ionization and photoelectric or dual sensor smoke alarms.
In addition to the basic types of alarms, there are alarms made to meet the needs of people with hearing disabilities. These alarms may use strobe lights that flash and/or vibrate to assist in alerting those who are unable to hear standard smoke alarms when they sound.
Okay, Where Do I Put Them?
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement. Many fatal fires begin late at night or in the early morning. For extra safety, install smoke alarms both inside and outside sleeping areas. Since smoke and many deadly gases rise, installing your smoke alarms at the proper level will provide you with the earliest warning possible. Always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
Where Would I Get Smoke Alarms?
If you live in the Riley Fire Department service area we may be able to provide these to you at no cost, otherwise call your local fire department (on a nonemergency telephone number) and they will provide you with some suggestions. Some fire departments offer smoke alarms for little or no cost.
Are Smoke Alarms Hard to Install?
If your smoke alarms are hard wired, that is wired into the electrical system, you will need to have a qualified electrician do the initial installation or install replacements. For battery powered smoke alarms, call your local fire department (on a nonemergency telephone number) and they will provide you with some suggestions. If you live in the Riley Fire Department service area we will install them for you at no cost.
Helpful Hint:
Pick a holiday or your birthday and replace the batteries each year on that day.
If your smoke alarm starts making a “chirping” noise, replace the batteries and reset it.
How Do I Keep My Smoke Alarm Working?
If you have a smoke alarm with batteries:
1. Smoke Alarms powered by long-lasting batteries are designed to replace the entire unit according to manufacturer’s instructions.
2. In standard type battery powered smoke alarms, the batteries need to be replaced at least once per year and the whole unit should be replaced every 8-10 years.
3. In hard-wired, battery backup smoke alarms, the batteries need to be checked monthly, and replaced at least once per year. The entire unit should be replaced every 8-10 years.
What if the Alarm Goes Off While I’m cooking?
Then it’s doing its job. Do not disable your smoke alarm if it alarms due to cooking or other non-fire causes. You may not remember to put the batteries back in the alarm after cooking. Instead clear the air by waving a towel near the alarm, leaving the batteries in place. The alarm may need to be moved to a new location. Some of the newer models have a “hush” button that silences nuisance alarms.
How long will my Smoke Alarm Last?
Most alarms installed today have a life span of about 8-10 years. After this time, the entire unit should be replaced. It is a good idea to write the date of purchase with a marker on the inside of your alarm so you will know when to replace it. Some of the newer alarms already have the purchase date written inside. In any event, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for replacement.
Anything Else I Should Know?
Some smoke alarms are considered to be “hard-wired.” This means they are connected to the household electrical system and may or may not have battery backup. It’s important to test every smoke alarm monthly and replace the batteries with new ones at least once a year.
Riley Fire Department would like to remind you of some important fire safety and prevention information.
1. Plan and practice escape plans several times a year.
2. Make sure your whole family knows when and how to call emergency telephone numbers.
3. Obtain and learn how to use a fire extinguisher.
4. Install carbon monoxide detectors.
5. Consider installing residential fire sprinklers in your home.
Contact Riley Fire Department at 894-3610 if you need help or have questions about fire safety in your home.
Fire Extinguishers
With so many fire extinguishers to choose from, selecting the proper one for you home can be a daunting task. Everyone should have at least one fire extinguisher in their home, but it is just as important that you have the proper type of extinguisher. The proper use of portable fire extinguishers can extinguish many fires while they are still small. You should be aware, however, that you should call 911 without delay as soon as any fire is discovered.
What is fire? Fire comes from a chemical reaction between oxygen in the atmosphere and some sort of fuel. There are four elements that must be present for a fire to exist:
1. Oxygen, to sustain combustion.
2. Heat, to raise the fuel to it’s ignition temperature.
3. Fuel, to support combustion.
4. A chemical reaction between the above three elements.
If you remove any one of the above four elements, you have extinguished the fire. The concept of fire prevention is keeping the 4 elements above separate. Not all fire are the same. Different fuels create different fires and therefore require different types of extinguishers. There are five classes of fire and each class of fire has it’s own type of extinguisher.
Class A - fires that involve ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper, cloth, trash and plastics.
Class B - fires that involve flammable liquids such as gasoline, petroleum oils and paint. Class B fires also include flammable gases such as propane and butane. Class B does not include fires involving cooking oils and grease.
Class C - fires that involve energized electrical equipment such as motors, transformers and appliances. Remove the power and the Class C fire becomes one of the other classes of fire.
Class D - fires that involve combustible metals such as potassium, sodium, aluminum, and magnesium.
Class K - fires that involve cooking oils and greases such as animal fats and vegetable fats.
When choosing a fire extinguisher, you want to be sure that you choose the correct extinguisher. All extinguishers have a label that indicates which type of fire that they are designed to extinguish. Extinguishers only contain a limited amount of extinguishing material and need to be used properly so that this material is not wasted. After purchasing a fire extinguisher for your home, you need to be sure to read the instructions before it’s too late. Although there are many different types of fire extinguishers, all of them operate in a similar manner.
Use this acronym as a quick reference:
P - A - S - S
Pull the Pin at the top of the extinguisher. The pin releases a locking mechanism and will alow you to discharge the extinguisher.
Aim at the base of the fire, not the flames. This is important – in order to put out the fire, you must extinguish the fuel.
Squeeze the lever slowly. This will release the extinguishing agent in the extinguisher. If the handle is released, the discharge will stop.
Sweep from side to side. Using a sweeping motion, move the fire extinguisher back and forth until the fire is completely out. Operate the extinguisher from a safe distance, several feet away, and then move towards the fire once it starts to diminish. be sure to read the instructions on your fire extinguisher – different fire extinguishers recommend operating them from different distances. Remember: Aim at the base of the fire, not at the flames!!!!!
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A typical fire extinguisher contains 10 seconds of extinguishing power. This could be less if it has already been partially discharged. Always read the instructions that come with the fire extinguisher beforehand and become familiarized with its parts.
Once the fire is out, don’t walk away! Watch the area for a few minutes in case it re-ignites. Recharge the extinguisher immediately after use.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a gas, that is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and highly toxic. Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer.
Every year carbon monoxide claims hundreds of lives and sends over 50,000 poisoning victims a year to emergency rooms.
CO poisoning from the use of fuel burning appliances kills hundreds people each year and sends more than 50,000 to hospital emergency rooms for treatment.
Others die from CO produced while burning charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle or tent. Still others die from CO produced by cars unintentionally left running in attached garages.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless and colorless gas which could be created whenever a fuel (such as wood, gasoline, coal, natural gas, kerosene, etc.) is burning.
You may be exposed to Carbon Monoxide when:
You leave your car, truck or van running.
You burn charcoal, alcohol or gasoline in an enclosed test, camper or room.
You smoke a cigar, cigarette or pipe.
You home contains an incorrectly vented or malfunctioning hot water heater, furnace, space heater, fireplace or stove.
How does Carbon Monoxide harm you?
Quite simply, carbon monoxide prevents oxygen from being used by your body. Carbon monoxide is poisonous and can harm your central nervous system.
Who is at risk?
Everyone is at risk of being poisoned by carbon monoxide. However, individuals with existing health problems such as heart and lung disease and the elderly are especially vulnerable. Infants, children and pregnant women are also at risk.
HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?
These levels should be referenced to the effects on healthy people. Health effects can vary significantly based on age, sex, weight, and overall state of health.
PPM = parts per million molecules of air
12,000 PPM – Death within 1 – 3 minutes
1600 PPM – Nausea within 20 minutes, death within 1 hour
800 PPM – Nausea and convulsions – death within 2 hours
400 PPM – Frontal headaches 1-2 hours life threatening within 3 hours
50 PPM – Maximum level for continuous exposure in an 8 hour workday
10–35 PPM – Marginal Small children, elderly, and those suffering respiratory or heart problems
9 PPM – The concentration often found on busy city streets
1 – 9 PPM – Any increase of CO from outside warrants further investigation but may not be an immediate health risk
The CPSC* (Consumer Products Safety Commission) recommends that consumers have their furnaces, water heaters, and other fuel-burning appliances inspected yearly by a qualified service professional, Chairman Ann Brown says. **”And every home should have at least one CO detector that meets the requirements of the most recent Underwriters Laboratories standards.” *CPSC 1997
**Underwriters Laboratories standards are not adequate to protect infants, the elderly, smokers, and individuals in generally poor health.
What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning mimics many common illnesses, such as the flu and food poisoning.
Common symptoms associated with carbon monoxide poisoning:
headaches
dizziness
weakness
nausea
rapid heartbeat
loss of consciousness
coma
cardiac arrest
loss of hearing
blurry vision
vomiting
disorientation
seizures
respiratory failure
This list is not meant to serve as a diagnosis of carbon monoxide poisoning, but it is meant to provide information on carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms. Always check with your doctor.
Long term Exposure
Health effects are related to the level of CO concentration and length of exposure. New studies indicate that chronic, low level exposure can have serious health consequences.
What can I do to protect myself and my family?
Educating yourself about CO, and taking simple precautions, can help to protect your family’s health and well-being.
Use non-electrical space heaters only in well-ventilated areas.
Don’t start or leave running cars, trucks, or other vehicles in an enclosed area.
Every home should have at least one CO detector that meets UL standards.
Have your furnace and other fuel burning appliances tested and inspected by a qualified professional once a year or before each heating season. Each manufacturer’s measurable standards may be found in the unit’s instructions. You should receive a measurement report verifying what tests were taken and the results.
Make sure your HVAC service professional tests each appliance using a testing instrument that can detect carbon monoxide or analyze the combustion gases. He should also be able to measure building and duct pressures, which may aid in the prevention of combustion system failure and CO generation.
CO detectors & properly maintained combustion appliances can save lives!
Don’t wait until symptoms occur! BE SAFE!
Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors can help alert you to increased levels of carbon monoxide in your home, but they are not foolproof!
The UL standard for carbon monoxide detectors presumes healthy occupants. Healthy adults are at low risk of serious CO poisoning at low-level exposure. Infants, the elderly, smokers, and individuals in generally poor health are at significantly higher risk from low-level CO exposure.
What to do if you suspect Carbon Monoxide is present in your home?
Call: If your detector alarm sounds and you are experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, leave your home immediately and call your local emergency services number or 911 if it is available in your area.
CHECK: If your detector alarm sounds and you have no symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: First check the detector, push the reset button (if available). Get fresh air to the building, and check for sources of carbon monoxide. Turn off any suspicious or obviously malfunctioning appliances or other sources of combustion. Levels of CO higher than those measured outside warrants further investigation, though may not be an immediate health risk. Contact a qualified service or repair company who can test for CO with proper test instruments.
ALWAYS If you think you have symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and you do not have a detector, leave your home, and call your emergency services number or 911 immediately!
Remember there are many more possible sources & causes of Carbon Monoxide