Urban Safety (general fire safety, tree safety, church safety)

Top 10 General Safety Tips

1. Smoke alarms save lives - install and maintain them.

2. Smoking and drinking are a lethal combination. Smoking carelessness is a leading cause of fire. Don't empty ashtrays into the trash.

3. Keep matches, lighters, and candles away from children.

4. Be careful with candles. Don't leave them unattended. Never sleep with candles burning.

5. Remove electrical cords from under rugs and behind radiators. Never nail or staple the cord to walls or molding.

6. Don't overload outlets and extension cords.

7. Never put a portable space heater near drapes, furniture, bedding, or other flammable materials.

8. Move flammable liquids stored near the stove or other heat source to a safe, distant location.

9. Remove all materials on or near your stove that could catch fire, including paper, dish cloths, etc.

10. Early notification can make ALL the difference - in case of fire call 911.

Christmas Tree Safety

Special fire safety precautions need to be taken when keeping a live tree in the house. A burning tree can rapidly fill a room with fire and deadly gases.

Selecting a Tree for the Holiday

Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle shouldn't break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the the tree trunk on the ground If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.

Caring for Your Tree

Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, sparks or flame. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree. Do not put your live tree up to early or leave it up for more than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.

Disposing of Your Tree

Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood burning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.

Holiday Lights

Maintain Your Holiday Lights

Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.

Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets

Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires--they should not be warm to the touch.

Do Not Leave Holiday Lights On Unattended

Holiday Decorations

Use Only Nonflammable Decorations

All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents.

Never Put Wrapping Paper in a Fireplace

It could throw off dangerous sparks and produce a chemical buildup in the home that could cause an explosion.

Artificial Holiday Trees

If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.

Candle Care

Avoid Using Lit Candles

If you do use them, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they can't be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning.

Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree

Do not go near a holiday tree with an open flame -- candles, lighters or matches.

Finally, as in every season, have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times. Know when and how to call for help. And remember to practice your home escape plan.

Church Arson Safety

External Security

Arsonist, like burglars, fear light.

• Illuminate the exterior and entrances.
• Use motion-activated lighting near doors and windows.
• Keep shrubbery and trees trimmed so building can be observed by passing patrols.
• If in a rural setting, ensure crops are far enough away to allow proper illumination of the area.
• Do Not allow church signs to block the view of the building
• Many churches have basement entries that are hidden from view. These should be secured with locking ground-level doors when church is not in use.
• Ladders, external stairways and fire escapes allowing access to roof should be secured.
• Painting the building white or constructing it with light-colored brick makes a human figure more readily seen at night
• Consider fencing the areas or sides that are not readily visible to patrols or neighbors.

Internal Security

• Use properly installed deadbolt locks on all exterior doors.
• Windows that can be opened should have adequate locks on them.
• Consider decorative or wrought iron protection for windows. (Windows used for emergency exits must still be able to be opened in an emergency.) Doors should have similar protection.
• Installation of a combination burglar and fire alarm with a monitoring service should be considered.
• If there is a private security firm in your area, consider a contract with them as they will check the building at unscheduled intervals.
• Keep a current list of all individuals that have access to church keys and change locks periodically.

Community Awareness and Cooperation

• Keep church leaders informed of problems.

Be aware of individuals who may be disgruntled or likely to cause damage to church property through arson or vandalism.
Be aware that vandalism may precede arson.

• Open avenues of communication with fire and law enforcement officials regarding the arson problem churches are facing.

Appoint a person from the church to be a liaison with fire and law enforcement officials.

• Promote neighborhood watches and educate the neighbors with lighting arrangements.

Initiate an arson hotline.

Educate neighbors on recognizing unusual activities.

Encourage neighbors to make note of strangers spending time in the neighborhood, either on foot or in vehicles. Write down license plate numbers of suspicious vehicles and inform the proper authorities.

Have all guest register and remove registry from church each night.

Raise public awareness through the news media that the problem exists.

Be aware that individuals may pose as service technicians to get into the church.

Arsonist may be carrying a liquid accelerate in an inconspicuous container, such as a beverage container.

• Do not advertise on church signs of bulletins when the church will not be in use.

Involve your insurance agent.