Flourtown Fire Company

Volunteers Serving Springfield Township

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What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon MonoxideCarbon Monoxide (CO) is a gas. It has no odor. CO gas is poisonous. It can make a person feel sick and can be deadly. In the home, heating and cooking devices that burn fuel can be sources of carbon monoxide.

CO ALARMS

  • Co Alarms should be installed outside each sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. It is best to use interconnected alarms. When one sounds, all CO alarms in the home sound.
  • Follow the instructions on the package to properly install the CO alarm
  • Test alarms at least once a month
  • Replace CO alarm according to the instructions on the package
  • Know the sounds the CO alarm makes. It will sound if CO is detected. It will make a different sound if the battery is low or if it is time to get a new alarm
  • If the battery is low, replace it.
  • If the CO alarm sounds, you must get fresh air. Move outdoors, by an open window or near an open door. Make sure everyone in the home gets to fresh air. Dial 911 from a fresh air location and remain outside until help arrives

PREVENTING CO POISIONING

  • When warming a vehicle, move it out of the garage. Do not run a fueled engine indoors, even if the garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not blocked. Clear snow away.
  • During and after a snow storm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fire place are clear of snow build-up
  • Clear all debris from dryer, furnace, stove, and fire place are clear of snow build-up
  • A generator should be used outdoors. Use in a well-ventilated location away from windows, doors, and vent openings
  • Have heating equipment and chimneys inspected by a professional before cold weather starts to set in
  • Open the damper when using a fire place for adequate ventilation
  • Never use your oven or stove to heat your home

Source: NFPA

Clothes Dryer Safety

Doing laundry is most likely part of your every day routine. But did you know how important taking care of your clothes dryer is to the safety of your home?  With a few simple safety tips you can help prevent a clothes dryer fire.

NFPA recommends the following:

  • Have your dryer installed by a professional
  • Do not use the dryer without a lint filter
  • Clean the lint filter before or after each load
  • Rigid or flexible metal venting material should be used to sustain proper air flow and drying time
  • Keep dryers in good working order. Gas dryers should be checked by a professional to make sure the gas line and connection are in tact and free of leaks
  • Follow manufacturer’s instructions and do not overload
  • Turn the dryer off when you leave the home or go to bed

Information compiled by Flourtown firefighter Jim Belcher via NFPA

Ambler Laundromat Fire, R.I.T Response

Squad 6 and its Rapid Intervention Team (R.I.T.) responded to a confirmed dryer fire at the Ambler Fabric Care Center Coin Laundry. The fire was rapidly knocked down by crews from Wissahickon Fire Company (Station 7), Fort Washington Fire Company (Station 88), and Centre Square Fire Company (Station 33), and traffic and crowd control was handled by fire police from Station 7 and Station 33. (Photos by Bob Wilmot, Jr.)