State Fire Marshal Offers Fire
Safety Tips as First Winter Storm Plows Missouri
JEFFERSON CITY, December 9, 2007—State fire Marshal
Randy Cole urges Missourians to practice fire safety as they continue
to deal with the recent winter ice storms that are impacting many
areas of the state.
Late yesterday a weather system began dropping rain
and freezing rain throughout many areas of the state. Last winter
Missourians faced several inches of ice in the same areas. The current
weather pattern is predicted to continue through early this week causing
power outages and treacherous travel conditions along with additional
ice accumulations.
State Fire Marshal Randy Cole would like to caution
Missourians again this year to the potential fire and carbon monoxide
hazards these weather situations create. “Unfortunately many
Missourians turn to using devices not designed for use as a supplemental
heat source thereby placing themselves and others in life threatening
situations,” Cole said. “It is important to maintain fire
safety awareness as we all continue to assist in the aftermath of
the storm.”
Too many preventable fires occur year-round, especially
during the winter months. During this time Missourians should examine
heating methods, practice fire escape plans and check smoke detectors.
Fires related to home heating are primarily responsible for the increased
number of fires during the winter.
State Fire Marshal Cole stresses the importance of ensuring
a home has working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and testing them
monthly to ensure they’re in working order. The advance warning
these alarms provide can prevent tragedy by giving families enough
time to get out of their house alive.
All gasoline and diesel generators create carbon monoxide,
a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that inhibits the body’s
ability to absorb oxygen, a condition that can cause serious health
problems, and even death, within a matter of minutes. The first symptoms
of carbon monoxide poisoning usually include headache, lightheadedness,
dizziness and unexplained sleepiness.
Tips for winter storm fire safety:
• Use battery operated lanterns or flashlights instead of candles
and oil lamps during power outages.
• Keep generators outside of occupied buildings and never run
a generator in an attached garage.
• Never use fossil fueled (propane, kerosene or heating oil)
space heaters in an enclosed room; these heaters require a well ventilated
area to prevent the accumulation of carbon monoxide.
• Keep chimneys, fireplaces and flues clean and never use a
liquid fuel or cardboard to start a fire in a woodstove or fireplace.
• Do not use extension cords to power electric space heaters
or use any electric heater that has the cord frayed, repaired or improperly
replaced.
• Vehicle exhaust fumes contain large quantities of carbon monoxide.
Never run a vehicle in a garage. If you are stuck in a vehicle, make
sure the exhaust pipe is clear of snow, ice or debris and only run
the engine for short periods to maintain warmth in the vehicle.
For more information about planning for a winter emergency,
you should contact your local emergency officials. The Missouri Department
of Health offers the Ready-in-3 emergency plan guide. It may be accessed
at their website, www.dhss.mo.gov.
For information concerning winter fire safety, contact
your local fire department or the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s
Office at (573)751-2930.