Be Halloween Safe

The Spokane Fire Department (SFD) and Spokane Police Department (SPD) want everyone to have a safe and happy Halloween. Public safety officials from both departments recommend that families plan children's Halloween activities by teaching and practicing basic everyday safety. Those basic safety elements include not getting into cars with people they do not know, not talking to strangers, being visible to motorists, keeping all decorations away from open flames and watching both ways before crossing streets.

 

To help everyone celebrate safely below are a few Halloween safety tips:

 

·        Heads Up, Phones Down: Don’t Be Distracted. Put electronic devices down and be aware of your surroundings.

·        Driver Safety: Motorists should slow down, use extra caution and watch for children and families walking on roadways, medians and curbs.

·        Pedestrian Safety: Go over pedestrian safety rules with kids before heading out. Be careful crossing streets and look both directions to make sure no cars are coming. Always use crosswalks and sidewalks. Where no sidewalk is present, stick close to the curb and walk facing the direction of traffic.

·        Adult Supervision: Children should not trick or treat alone and should be taught to never go into the home of a stranger or get into their car. Instruct children not to eat treats until they return home and families have had a chance to inspect those treats.

·        Be Visible: Costumes should be light, bright and clearly visible to motorists. Carry a flashlight or glow stick and/or wear reflective tape.

·        Costume Safety: Costumes, masks, beards and wigs should be flame resistant. Make sure the costume does not obstruct vision.

·        Home Fire Safety: Do not leave candles unattended. Try flameless candles or glow sticks in jack-o’-lanterns. Keep decorations away from candles, light bulbs or heaters. Keep exits clear of decorations.

The Spokane Police and Fire Departments are dedicated to making sure our community is safe each day of the year. For more Halloween safety tips visit the National Fire Protection Association or the National Safety Council.

 

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Michele Anderson | Public Safety Communications Manager
Spokane Police Department | Spokane Fire Department

cell 509.742.0063 | office 509.622.5868 | mlanderson@spokanecity.org

 

Spokane Fire Department stresses importance of working smoke detectors

 

 

Spokane Fire Department stresses importance of working smoke detectors

 

During the last week of National Fire Prevention Month, the Spokane Fire Department (SFD) would like to remind residents of the importance of having working smoke detectors in their home and the importance of maintaining those detectors to ensure they are in good working order.

 

In a fire, working smoke alarms in a home can mean the difference between life and death. “Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained provide an early warning signal which could allow everyone in the home to safely escape,” advises SFD Fire Marshal Mike Miller. “With October being National Fire Prevention Month it is the perfect time to check on the age condition of your smoke alarms.”

 

Checklist for your smoke detector:

·       Have at least one detector on every level of your home.

·       Have a detector outside every sleeping area and inside every bedroom.

·       Check the back label on each detector to know the date of manufacture. Make sure no detector in your home is more than 10 years old.

·       Look for “ionization” or “photoelectric” or “photo-ion” on the back label of each detector. Make sure you know the type of detectors you have!

·       Have at least one photoelectric detector on each level of the home.

·       Check if your detectors have “hush buttons” so you don’t ever have to remove a battery to silence a nuisance alarm.

·       Check if your detectors have lithium batteries so you don’t have to replace the 9-volt batteries every year. Lithium batteries will last the life of the smoke detector.

·       Test all of your detectors on the first day of every month to make sure they are still working!

 

Residents wanting more information on smoke alarms or fire safety can contact the SFD’s Fire Prevention Bureau at 509-625-7058. A variety of community education resources are also available to help meet the needs of both children and adults. Fire safety presentations can be arranged for neighborhood, business, civic, or education groups.

 

 

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Michele Anderson | Public Safety Communications Manager
Spokane Police Department | Spokane Fire Department

cell 509.742.0063 | office 509.622.5868 | mlanderson@spokanecity.org

 

Fire Marshal lifts restrictions on outdoor recreational fires for the City of Spokane

 

 

Fire Marshal lifts restrictions on outdoor recreational fires for the City of Spokane
 

The burn restrictions that were implemented on July 29, 2016 for outdoor recreational fires are being lifted effective today, October 3, 2016, by order of the Spokane City Fire Marshal. In ground campfires, fire bowls and fire pits are authorized in the City of Spokane for recreational use. Approved fuels for use include seasoned (clean/dry) firewood, briquettes, propane, or natural gas. Debris disposal is not authorized at any time.

 

Here are other requirements for outdoor fires:

 

·       Recreational fires may be in designated areas or on private property with owner approval.

·       Keep it small - Fires must not exceed a fuel area of 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height.

·       Fires must be attended by a responsible adult (knowledgeable in the use of the fire extinguishing equipment) at all times.

·       Approved fire extinguishing equipment must be on hand and ready for use.

o   Equipment can include a garden hose, dirt, sand, bucket, shovel, or a minimum 4A rated portable fire extinguisher.

·       Adequate clearance from combustibles must exist (25 feet for campfires and fire pits).

o   For multi-family dwellings, use at least a 15-foot clearance from combustibles and structures for portable fireplace appliances.  Be safe and use good judgment.

o   For one and two-family dwellings, follow the appliance manufacturer’s instructions for clearance.  Be safe and use good judgment.

·       Fires must not present a health hazard or nuisance to others.

·       Safe wind conditions (no more than 7 mph) must be present.

·       Ash and charcoal remnants must be safely disposed of in noncombustible waste containers.

 

Note: Burning may be temporarily restricted by Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency due to increasing fine particle (smoke) levels and air stagnation. Check current status at https://www.spokanecleanair.org/current-burning-conditions.

 

Fires not meeting the above listed requirements, fires considered unsafe or fires otherwise restricted will be required to be extinguished. As always, bonfires or pig roast type fires must receive an inspection, pre-approval, and a permit from the Spokane Fire Department. Outdoor fires for disposal purposes are illegal in the City of Spokane at all times. Failure to comply with recreational fire regulations are subject to a Class 1 civil infraction, which carries a $513 penalty. A person who fails to take immediate action to extinguish or otherwise discontinue unauthorized burning when ordered to do so is guilty of a misdemeanor. That person can face additional penalties of up to $1,000 and/or up to 90 days in jail.

 

 

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Michele Anderson | Public Safety Communications Manager
Spokane Police Department | Spokane Fire Department

cell 509.742.0063 | office 509.622.5868 | mlanderson@spokanecity.org