Amy McVey --
tenleytown@yahoogroups.com
My husband Dennis, (a fireman in Tenleytown), and I, truly
appreciate the kind words about him and the many other DC
firefighters who responded to the McKinley St. fire. The editorial
by Sholto Stewart of Chevy Chase, in last weeks(2/28)issue of The
Northwest Current, "Firefighters Showed Courage on McKinley" was a
very kind gesture of thanks.
He has asked me to post a few things you can do which help him to
help you in fire and medical emergencies. Some of this seems very
obvious but many of us forget to take thses simple steps.
1. Number your house (CLEARLY) - Make sure your house number is
posted in large, contrasting, visible numbers so they can be found
easily, especially at night. This includes the back of your house
and garage. Numbers spelled out in letters can be difficult to read
from the street.
2. Keep the alleys clear - Pull your trash cans into your yard or
as close to your property as possible. It wastes lots of time to
send a firefighter down the alley ahead of the firetruck clearing
the way. Don't park in the alley or too close to the alley
entrance; this sometimes makes it impossible to drive into the alley.
3. Fire Hydrants - If you live near a fire hydrant, please make
sure that it is clearly visible by removing any plants or weeds.
When it snows, shovel a clear space around it.
4. Spare Keys - Give a COMPLETE set of house keys to a neighbor and
have an extra set of both house and vehicle keys inside your home.
A hardware store copy of the vehicle key will usually open the door
giving you access while an anti-theft ignition key from the
manufacturer is needed to start the car. This can prevent what seems
to be a lengthy wait in getting your child out of a hot, locked car.
5. Smoke Detectors - Test them regularly and change the batteries
when you change the clocks to and from daylight-savings.
6. Learn where the utility cut-offs for the house are AND make sure
they are easily accessible at all times. (gas, water and electric)
7. Make sure the windows in your home are not painted shut and
that landscaping does not hinder emergency egress from the house.
8. Neighbors should know how to contact you if you are away.
9. Street signs - If the sign at the end of your street goes
missing, report it and have it replaced.
10. ICE - "In Case of Emergency" - Make and entry into your cell
phone contact list labeled ICE and post the phone number of the
person you want called in case YOU have an emergency. This is a new
system catching on and many rescue workers know to check a cell
phone to find emergency contacts.
Dennis and Amy McVey