Consumer Product Safety Commission Recall

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in conjunction with fire departments, state and local officials, and national and state health and safety organizations, will be conducting this year's "recall round-up" to help reduce fire hazards from consumer products.

Each year, over 4,000 people die and 19,000 are injured because of fires that start in homes. These fires result in property losses of about $5 billion. Children are particularly vulnerable. Each year, about 900 children under the age of 15 die of fire-related causes and about 600 of these deaths are to children under the age of five. In fact, children under age five have a death rate more than twice the national average.

A complete "Recall List" of products can be obtained by calling the CPSC hotline at 800-638-2772, or by visiting the Consumer Product Safety Commission website at http://www.cpsc.gov.

SOURCES OF CARBON MONOXIDE
Everyone is at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning-because everyone needs oxygen to survive. Medical experts believe some people are more vulnerable to poisoning, like newborn babies, infants, children, seniors, and people with heart and lung problems. First Alert ®, Inc. and the Somonauk Fire Protection District want to answer some basic questions about carbon monoxide (CO).

WHERE DOES CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) COME FROM?
CO can be produced by appliances like a gas* or oil furnace, gas clothes dryer, gas ranges or cooktops, gas ovens, gas-fueled water heater, wood or coal burning stove, wood or gas fireplace, or space heater. When appliances and vents work properly, and there is enough fresh air in your home to allow complete combustion, the trace amounts of CO produced are typically not dangerous (all gas appliances initially produce CO when they first start). Normally, CO is safely vented to the outdoors. (* Gas is defined as natural gas or propane)

In multiple family dwellings where living spaces share walls and pipes, carbon monoxide from one unit may enter a neighboring space through floor boards, cracks, or underneath doors.

Problems arise when something goes wrong. An appliance malfunctions; a furnace heat exchanger cracks; vents can clog, or debris like a bird's nest can block a chimney or flue. Fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, charcoal grills, or gas logs can produce unsafe levels of CO if they are unvented or not properly vented. Exhaust can seep into the home from vehicles left running in an attached garage, even if the garage door is open.

A sticking thermostat can keep the furnace running constantly, depleting the oxygen supply inside the house. This can lead to backdrafting.

In some cases, problems arise even if appliances are working properly. The following conditions are dangerous because they can trap exhaust in your home.

Incomplete Combustion
Fuel-burning appliances need fresh air for complete burning. If several appliances are operating at the same time in a well-insulated home, they "compete" for the available fresh air. If this fresh air becomes low, appliances recirculate each other's exhaust instead of venting to the outside.

Negative Indoor Air Pressure
When exhaust fans run, inside air pressure is lowered. If the indoor pressure gets lower than the outdoor air pressure, the airflow in chimneys and vents can reverse, pulling exhaust-containing CO back into the home.

Loose Vent Pipes
Vibrations can shake vent pipes loose from gas dryers, furnaces, or hot water heaters, preventing CO from being vented to the outside.

FINDING YOUR HOUSE

Fire and emergency personnel require quick responses. If you have an emergency, you need them quickly. That is why it is important to have your house clearly marked with its appropriate address. A poorly marked house takes additional time to find and a delay in seconds may make the difference between life and death. House numbers are often ineffective because they are hidden by shrubbery or other obstacles, poorly lit, too small, script-type numbers, or too weather-beaten to read. Many houses are not marked at all.

Your street number should be printed in block numbers that are no less than 4" tall and in a contrasting color. The numbers should be visible from all directions of travel for at least 150 feet. It is also important that the numbers be well lit at night. The numbers can be posted directly on your house or business or anywhere else that can easily be seen from the street. House numbers should be posted on both sides of the mailbox. You should also list your complete address, including any county numbers, i.e. 28W334 Parker. If your house does not face the street on which it is addressed, it might be a good idea to include the street name on the address sign.

If your home or business is set back from the street or road, post your address at the entrance of your driveway. In situations where more than one home is accessed from a single driveway, all addresses should be posted at the street and each appropriate intersection along the highway.

By having your home clearly marked with the appropriate address, you will be helping emergency personnel provide care in a timely manner.

· While responding to alarms, firefighters and civilians are at risk of being involved in vehicular and pedestrian accidents. Approximately 25 firefighters are killed annually responding to calls. Figures were not found pertaining to the number of civilians injured or killed.

· It has been shown that people have the tendency to take alarms less seriously because they assume that all alarms are false. This complacency can have serious consequences. Time is of the ultimate importance. People only have three to five minutes to get out of a building once a fire starts.

· People become reluctant to report missing or damaged alarm equipment such as pull stations or smoke detectors. They often go so far as to place rags or clothing into the bells to minimize their volume. This decreases the overall effectiveness of the system and increases your risk for harm.

· Responding to false alarms might take the firefighters away from a true emergency where a person's life or property is at risk.

False alarms puts both firefighters and you, the citizen, at risk. If you are aware of anyone creating a false alarm, such as activating a pull station, report that person to the fire district or the police immediately. The person benefiting most from this notification could be YOU!

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Clothing
Smoke odor and soot can sometimes be washed from clothing. The following formula will often work for clothing that can be bleached.
4-6 tbsp. Tri-Sodium Phosphate
1 cup Lysol or any household chlorine bleach
1 gallon warm water Mix well, add clothes, rinse with clear water.
Dry well.

To remove mildew, wash the fresh stain with soap and warm water. Then rinse and dry in the sun. If the stain has not disappeared, use lemon juice and salt, or a diluted solution of household chlorine bleach.

Test colored garments before using any treatment.
If you are taking woolen, silk, or rayon garments to the cleaners, first remove trimmings, shoulder pads, etc. Then, if the garment is damp or wet, dry it in a well-ventilated area. Shake and brush well, and take the garment to the cleaners as soon as possible.

Cooking Utensils
Your pots, pans, flatware, etc., should be washed with soapy water, rinsed, and then polished with a fine-powdered cleaner. You can polish copper and brass with special polish, salt sprinkled on a piece of lemon, or salt sprinkled on a cloth saturated with vinegar.

Electrical Appliances
Do not use appliances that have been exposed to water or steam until you have a service representative check them. This is especially true of electrical appliances. In addition, steam can remove the lubricant from some moving parts.

If the fire department turned off your gas or power during the fire, call the electric or gas company to restore these services. Do not try to do it yourself.

Food
Wash your canned goods in detergent and water. Do the same for food in jars. If labels come off, be sure to mark the contents on the can or jar with a grease pencil. Do not use canned goods when cans have bulged or are dented or rusted.

· Keep the freezer closed. Your freezer has enough insulation to keep food frozen for at least one day - perhaps for as many as two or three days.

· Move your food to a neighbor's freezer or a rented locker. Wrap the frozen food in newspapers and blankets, or use insulated boxes.

· Do not refreeze food that has thawed.

To remove odor from your refrigerator or freezer, wash the inside with a solution of baking soda and water, or use one cup of vinegar or household ammonia to one gallon of water. Some baking soda in an open container, or a piece of charcoal can be placed in the refrigerator or freezer to absorb odor.

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A Safety Guide for Baby Sitters
Baby-sitting is fun and a good way to earn extra money, but it takes hard work and preparation. Sitters need to be prepared for all type of situations. The more you know, the better the baby sitter you'll become. A good sitter must know the right thing to do at the right time. We will be discussing some considerations that baby-sitters need to be aware of as they take on this very important and exciting task.

Know what is expected of you as the sitter. There are certain do's and don'ts that you should know and remember as a sitter.

· Before the parents leave, get the names and phone numbers you will need. Have this information written down, along with the address and telephone number of where you are sitting, and place the information where you can quickly and easily get it. In an emergency you might not remember this important information.
· Have the parent(s) show you around the house or apartment and point out where the items you will need are located such as clothing, playthings, etc.
· Be familiar with the house. Learn all of the exits and know how to unlock doors and windows. Know two ways out of each room, especially the bedroom.
· All families should have a meeting place outside where everyone gathers after escaping from a fire. Have the parent(s) show you the meeting place so as not to confuse children with a different plan.
· Discuss the plan and meeting place with the children so that everyone knows where to meet.
· Talk to the parent(s) to learn the location of a neighbor who will be home. In case of a fire, in case of a fire, you will need to call the fire department from this house.

Some of the other topics we will be looking at include: keeping a child safe indoors and outsides, being prepared in case of a fire, pool safety, basic first aid, and tips on sitting safety.

Getting the Information
When you are baby-sitting, get all of the information that you will need before the parents leave. If possible, have the children present during these instructions so that there won't be any confusion later, and everyone will know what is expected.

· Learn of any special concerns that might startle you, such as allergies or behaviors like temper tantrums.
· Know where the children are allowed to play. Some off-limit areas might not be obvious to you.
· Have the parents explain the rules for watching television. Find out any restrictions.
· Find out what can be eaten for snacks and when. Be sure to learn about any allergies to food.
· Some parents allow the children to have friends visit. Discuss their rules regarding friends.
· Talk about bedtime arrangements. Find out if there is anything special you need to know about sending the children to bed. Determine if the children have a special book that they like to have read to them. If they don't, this might be an opportunity to develop something special between the children and you.
· If the children need to receive any medications, get the instructions in writing. These instructions should include the exact amount to be given and the exact time that it should be given. Even if a child asks for any medication, do not give it without first checking with a parent.
· Check to see that the information listing where a parent can be reached, a neighbor's telephone number, the fire department (ambulance), and any other number or information that the parent thinks is necessary is placed near the telephone.
· This is your chance to have your questions answered so that you avoid any mix-ups or misunderstandings. Remember, you need to know the right thing to do at the right time. If you aren't certain about what is expected, ask.

Keeping a Child Safe:
Parents should "childproof" their homes with safety latches on cabinets, placing items out of reach and sight of the child, etc. Just to be safe, you should go through the house with a parent before you begin babysitting to make yourself aware of any dangers to keep the child away from, as well as any dangers to keep away from the child. Remember to look for hazards before there's a problem.

Keep the Child Away from Danger:
· Plugs and outlets - It's easy for a curious child to receive an electrical shock.
· Cords and Strings - Long cords from extension cords or furniture can become tangled around the child's neck and cut off breathing. This includes items such as toys, pacifiers, ribbons, etc., tied to cribs or playpens. Try to have electrical cords out of the child's reach so that they cannot pull any objects, such as lamps, onto themselves.
· Stairs - Use gates, if possible, for any child too young to climb up and down stairs safely. Check to make sure that the child cannot place their heads through any openings in the gate. Also check that the gate cannot collapse or become dislodged if the child leans or pushes against it.
· Tablecloths - Children love to grab at objects hanging down. Everything on the table can end up on the child's head.
· Windows - Be sure windows or screens are locked. A fall from a window can result in a serious injury or death. Do not place anything in front of the window that a child can climb on to reach the window.
· Electrical appliances - All appliances within the child's reach should be unplugged or inaccessible.
· Guns - Make certain that all guns are securely locked up, with the key in a hidden place.

Keep Dangerous Things Away From the Child:
· Knives - Should be stored out of reach.
· Plastic Bags and Films - These can quickly cut off a child's breathing. Be sure that they are kept where a child cannot reach them.
· Buttons and Other Small Objects - Can easily choke a child. Watch to see what the child is playing with.
· Toys - Some toy dangers include small parts, sharp edges, and sharp points. Propelled objects, such as guided missiles and similar flying toys, can be turned into weapons and injure eyes in particular. Check to see that the toy is age appropriate for the child.
· Aerosols (Sprays) and Detergents - These and other household cleaners are often poisonous. Be sure that the child cannot reach them. Remember that they are not only found under the kitchen sink - check other places in the house. Should the child take any of these items, be sure to call for an ambulance and be prepared to tell the paramedics what and how much of the material was ingested.
Medicines - Should be locked up. If this is not possible, be sure they are in a safe place, out of the reach of the child. Remember this also applies to any medications that you may need to give to the child.

First Aid: Trauma and Burns
An emergency is a situation where a person gets hurt or is sick and needs help quickly. You may be faced with an emergency and may have to act on your own before an adult or medical help arrives. This pamphlet will help you to recognize a medical emergency, how to call for medical help, and how to assist with breathing, how to control bleeding and how to care for broken bones until definitive help arrives.

In an emergency you need to:
· Remain calm. Your attitude will help the person you're caring for to remain calm.
· Make sure that it is safe to approach the person who is sick or hurt. If it is unsafe due to electricity, fire, or possible toxic atmosphere, do not go near that person.
· Look at the person and determine what kind of help the person needs.
· Call 911 for help. If someone is with you, have them make the call. Give the person who answers your name, address of the problem, the telephone number, and the type of emergency you have. Do not hang up until the operator tells you to. (When you call 911 from a pay phone, the cost is free.)
· Give first aid until the paramedics arrive or help an adult already giving assistance.

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Copyright © 2005 Somonauk Community Fire Protection District
Last modified: May 2010