Fire Service Day & Hands Only CPR Training

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Learning hands-only CPR only takes a few minutes

Every May, the Los Angeles Fire Department opens the doors to all of their 106 fire stations and invites the public to come in for a tour. This year, in addition to the various demonstrations and activities at stations across Los Angeles, a new program was introduced: Hands Only CPR.

One of LAFD Chief Brian Cummings‘ strategies for helping people in Los Angeles increase their readiness for “any type of disaster,” hands only CPR is one of the fastest, easiest, and most important things anyone could learn. Most importantly, if you’re willing to spend five minutes getting trained, you’ll be better prepared in the event you come across someone suffering from sudden cardiac arrest.

MySafe:LA instructors joined with LAFD members and CERT volunteers to teach hands only CPR at multiple locations in the city. Hundreds of people agreed to be trained, and some important steps were taken to create at least awareness of this important and simple live-saving procedure.

If you missed Fire Service Recognition Day and you’re interested in learning hands-only CPR, the LAFD (with additional support from MySafe:LA instructors) will offer training at various locations around Los Angeles on June 4, 2013. Visit the LAFD Blog for more information as it becomes available.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HANDS ONLY CPR!

Check out Fire Service Day and some of the people who jumped in to learn hands-only CPR from firefighters, CERT volunteers, and of course, our own MySafe:LA instructors:

A Gas Leak Nearly Blew Up My House!

Checking for a gas leak

We’ve all read about people experiencing a fire that destroyed their home. If you’re like most of us, you probably think, “well, that can’t happen to me.” It’s a natural reaction. However, there’s good cause for you to remember your fire and home safety procedures, practice and training. It can happen to you – and as proof, it almost happened to me. That’s right – a gas leak nearly blew up my house!

My home is probably a pretty safe home if you were to come over to inspect it. Fire and CO alarms are in place. Fire Extinguishers are in place. Earthquake straps and putty and survival food, gear, etc. are all where they are supposed to be. It’s a two story approximately 2,200 square foot home.

This past Friday morning, as I walked down my downstairs hallway, I thought I faintly smelled gas. When I walked into the front entryway, I was sure I smelled gas, but it wasn’t a very strong smell.

Step one was to check the oven, the cooktop, and the water heater. No smell of gas. Next, I checked the fireplace. I could smell gas (again, not a strong smell), but not specifically from the fireplace.

Step two was to get all of the family (wife and two dogs) out of the house, and from there, I called the Gas Company. They told me we’d have someone there quickly. It was true. Within 15 minutes, a Gas Company truck pulled up to the house.

After a few initial questions, the gas man began walking around the downstairs of the house. We then went upstairs. We could smell gas, but it wasn’t apparent that there was a point where there was a lot of gas.

Step three included some science. The “gas man” uses a device that measures how much gas is in the air. If it doesn’t detect gas, it beeps every few seconds – beep… pause… beep.

Starting downstairs, the gas man walked around, waving the wand of his gas detection device in front of him. Beep… beep… beep… Nothing. By now, as the front door was open, the smell of gas was very faint.

The gas man then started to walk up the stairs, and that’s when the fun began… Beep… beep… and then beep, beep, beep, and as he got to the top of the stairs beeeeeeeeeeeeee. Wow, that’s a lot of gas (no jokes, please).

At this point, the gas man suggested we all wait not only outside, but across the street. I think he was within a moment or two of suggesting we have a fire company on scene. So, we went across the street feeling a bit anxious as well.

Several minutes later, the gas man walked outside and came over to us. “I found it,” he said. “It’s your fireplace.” As it turned out, the valve you use to adjust to the gas was just slightly turned – not even a quarter of a turn, but it was enough to release in excess of 30 square feet of gas per hour. Our second floor had many hundreds of square feet of gas built up – enough to blow the roof off the home and engulf the second floor in flames.

Key point: When we stood next to the fireplace, it was not readily apparent that a leak could have originated there. Yet, that was the source of the leak. If you smell gas and cannot find an immediate and obvious source of gas, get out of the house – and call the gas company. If the smell is so strong you cannot breath, or if you fear for your safety, dial 9-1-1.

The lesson of this story is that something so simple as a slightly misadjusted valve can have explosive results. Following the proper investigative steps and knowing what to do – calling the Gas Company in this case and getting out of the house – could save your property, and your life.

 

What Happened at the Boston Marathon?

Boston Firefighters
For many children and young adults, the tragic terror bombing during the 2013 Boston Marathon will result in confusion, fear, and lots of questions. The terror attacks of 9/11/2001 occurred a long time ago, and many young people weren’t born when our country was attacked from the air. So, for anyone under the age of 11, yesterday’s events were something new and potentially frightening.

As a family, how are we to deal with the events of yesterday – and how do we explain them?

There are some simple yet important things we can share with each other (family, extended family, classroom).

The first is that the world is a complicated place, and television and the Internet make it seem much smaller than it really is. Things that are far away may seem to be very close. And with so many people in the world, some of them will be unhappy – and want to make others unhappy as well.

Your kids are likely to hear about the tragedy in Boston from their friends, and they may hear some things that are not accurate. If your children are under the age of seven, it’s probably best to simply reassure them that they’re safe and to keep things simple.

If your children are older than seven, don’t be shy about talking about the bombing. Be calm, and talk about the facts, and ask each other how the event made you feel. How do you feel now? By talking through the things that are upsetting, some of the stress and fear will be released, and your family may be able to cope with the aftermath more easily. Make certain everyone in the family knows they’re safe and the events that took place in Boston are not likely to happen to you or them. And if your kids are scared, let them know that their feelings are appropriate – and that you may get scared on occasion as well.

A tragedy such as what took place in Boston is a very rare event. The vast majority of emergencies that involve fire, earthquake, and accidents (like falling down the stairs or getting burned by hot water) take place in our own homes. That’s right – we’re most likely to get hurt in our own homes, not in a public place.

We need to make certain we do all we can to ensure we’re safe at those places where we spend most of our time. That means our home, our school, our playground, and the homes of our extended family and friends.

AT HOME – Make certain your family has a plan in the event of an emergency. You’ve heard this before, but if you have a plan, when something goes wrong, you’ll know what to do.

AT SCHOOL – Follow the instructions provided by teachers. Most schools have practice fire drills and other forms of practicing for some sort of emergency. Don’t laugh them off. They could help you stay safe if something bad happens.

EVERYWHERE – It’s possible to have fun and also be alert. You can make a game out of being aware of your surroundings. How many people are in the room you’re in? How many exits are there? Compete with your family and friends to try and figure these simple things out. It should only take a few minutes. And then, relax and have fun. Oh – there is one more very important thing to remember. Being aware of your surroundings means knowing what should be there and what may be unusual. FEMA, your Los Angeles Fire Department, and MySafe:LA all say the same thing to you: If you see something, say something. Whenever something seems wrong, dial 9-1-1.

 

Congratulations to the First Jr. Fire Inspectors!

MySafe:LA and its first class of Jr. Fire Inspectors

This week, MySafe:LA congratulated its first class of Jr. Fire Inspectors at an Elementary School in Los Angeles. These students are among a group that has successfully completed a series of educational steps designed to help them and their families become “FireSmart:LA.”

“We’re working to ensure that every type of living space is equipped with working smoke alarms,” MySafe:LA Instructor Chris Nevil said. “These students have completed a three step process, including a written home fire inspection that they conducted with their family.”

“The key to this program is engagement,” MySafe:LA Executive Director David Barrett said following a school presentation. “Many of these homes will benefit most from internal review and inspection. If anyone in our program does not have a working smoke alarm, MySafe:LA will provide one at no cost.” Students who complete the course receive Jr. Fire Inspector ID cards. They also get to interact with Los Angeles Firefighters at their school.

The program, which commenced in February and continues thru the end of July will engage more than 2,000 4th and 5th grade students in at-risk neighborhoods. The original target of 1,000 smoke alarms, “will be easily surpassed,” according to David Barrett.

The concept for the Jr Fire Inspector program dates back to the mid 20th century. “I was a Jr Fireman,” David Barrett remembers. “It was a thrill for the kids then – and it should be now as well. Several of our instructors and officers were jr firefighters when we were kids, so this is a terrific progression.”

MySafe:LA and the LAFD deliver fire and life safety education to children, families, and older adults throughout Los Angeles. During the past two years, MySafe:LA has presented to more than 140,000 students, as well as older adults, firefighters, and educators.

Poison Control Week – What You Need to Know…

Poison Control Week

If you suspect someone in your home or nearby you has been poisoned, there are two key things you must do immediately:

Dial 911: – Tell the call taker that someone may have been poisoned, your specific address AND location, and then explain why you think someone may be poisoned. Take the instructions from the call taker and assist the individual until help arrives.

Call the Poison Control Hotline: 1-800-222-1222

You may find a lot of information about Poison Control at the website produced by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Separately, you should know what you may have about your home that is poisonous… and to whom.
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Lessons From The Northridge Quake of 1994

Imagine this: Several million people shaken out of bed at 4:31AM by a rolling, jolting killer earthquake. 60 people died. $20 billion dollars to repair the damage. And we’re told that as Angelenos, we were lucky!

Our Children’s Safety Ambassador Pau Gasol has a message for everyone in LA:

The Northridge earthquake of 1994 registered 6.7 on the magnitude scale. That’s actually considered to be a modest to elevated level of earthquake, yet due to the unusual pulsing nature of the quake, it creates a significant amount of damage – collapsed bridges, buildings, fires, water and gas line breaks… not to mention the aftereffects of the quake – often not reported: Suicides increased fivefold. A significant outbreak of Valley Fever occurred, a respiratory infection contracted by inhaling fungal spores from dust clouds that followed the quake. For weeks, Los Angeles rolled in the aftermath, including hundreds of aftershocks – with two in the 6.0 range on the same day.

So, what did we learn?

Most importantly, buildings retrofitted or built to the new earthquake codes established after the 1971 San Fernando earthquake survived Northridge intact. We learned that within approximately 72 hours, the city had been completely inspected, and injuries, deaths, and missing were accounted for.

The next big one is long overdue. The southern end of the San Andreas fault has historically ripped every 150 years during the past two centuries. However, it’s last big event was in 1690. That’s more than 300 years ago – so doing even simple math leads us to believe it’s long overdue for a significant event.

As Angelenos, we have a responsibility to prepare ourselves and our families. Most of the MySafe:LA audience wasn’t born in 1994. So, what do we do?

Make a Plan.

Build a Kit (or buy one).

Practice.

And understand the simple steps of: DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON.

We do this to ensure that our safety is the key metric for survival. By dropping in place, covering our heads, and holding on to the furniture, we increase our chances of avoiding injury or worse significantly.

MySafe:LA supports earthquake readiness via our QuakeSmart:LA initiative. [ learn more ]

Check out our 2012 Great Shakeout Drill at an LA Elementary School:

If you’re interested in having MySafe:LA deliver a QuakeSmart:LA presentation to your school or homeowner’s association, please contact us.

We encourage every person in L.A. to check their personal and home safety this week, so the memories of Northridge are not repeated.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Earthquake Country

USGS Earthquake Programs

Southern California Earthquake Center

Dare to Prepare Earthquake Program

The Great California Shakeout

California Earthquake Authority

 

Don’t Create Danger When the Temps Drop…

Cold weather Slams Southern California

It’s cold outside… Well, for California it’s cold.

No matter – when we’re freezing, we want to keep warm. There are a bunch of things we should not do when it’s cold… and we’re not talking about running around in a bathing suit to bring on hypothermia. We’re talking about things that can ruin your day – and that of your entire family.

There are some basic safety tips to consider when it’s biting cold outside:

  • Dress in several layers of lightweight clothing.  That will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat.
  • Mittens provide more warmth to your hands than gloves, but in California, gloves are a good start.
  • Wear a hat that covers your ears.
  • Waterproof, insulated boots are the best to keep your feet warm and dry.
  • Take frequent breaks when outdoors and stay hydrated.
  • Seek medical attention immediately if you have hypothermia symptoms (confusion, dizziness, exhaustion or severe shivering) or frostbite symptoms (numbness, flushed gray, white blue or yellow skin discoloration).
  • Don’t forget about your pets!  Don’t leave them outdoors. Bring them in from the cold – and for most pets, sleeping indoors is a good thing!

CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
One of the things to be especially concerned about is carbon monoxide. CO is an issue that potentially affects all of us, and in situations like cold weather, it’s tempting to light candles, turn on portable heaters, and to take other actions that we think will make life easier.

Carbon Monoxide is odorless, colorless, and is totally undetectable to our senses. That means you’ll have no way of knowing if you’re being exposed to potentially killer gas. If you begin to take ill due to CO, you may think you have the flu – and as the flu is spreading like wildfire, it’s especially important to take note of CO illness symptoms:

  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness

High level CO poisoning results in progressively more severe symptoms, including:

  • Mental confusion
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of muscular coordination
  • Loss of consciousness
  • And… ultimately death

PREVENTION
So, what’s a family to do? How do you prevent CO illness and exposure? Here are some tips that may be extremely useful:

  • Make sure appliances are installed and operated according to the manufacturer’s instructions and local building codes. Most appliances should be installed by qualified professionals. Have the heating system professionally inspected and serviced annually to ensure proper operation. The inspector should also check chimneys and flues for blockages, corrosion, partial and complete disconnections, and loose connections.
  • Never service fuel-burning appliances without proper knowledge, skill and tools. Always refer to the owners manual when performing minor adjustments or servicing fuel-burning equipment.
  • Never operate a portable generator or any other gasoline engine-powered tool either in or near an enclosed space such as a garage, house, or other building. Even with open doors and windows, these spaces can trap CO and allow it to quickly build to lethal levels.
  • Install a CO alarm that meets the requirements of the current UL 2034 safety standard. A CO alarm can provide some added protection, but it is no substitute for proper use and upkeep of appliances that can produce CO. Install a CO alarm in the hallway near every separate sleeping area of the home. Make sure the alarm cannot be covered up by furniture or draperies.
  • Never use portable fuel-burning camping equipment inside a home, garage, vehicle or tent unless it is specifically designed for use in an enclosed space and provides instructions for safe use in an enclosed area.
  • Never burn charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle, or tent.
  • Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even with the garage door open.
  • Never use gas appliances such as ranges, ovens, or clothes dryers to heat your home.
  • Never operate unvented fuel-burning appliances in any room where people are sleeping.
  • Do not cover the bottom of natural gas or propane ovens with aluminum foil. Doing so blocks the combustion air flow through the appliance and can produce CO.
  • During home renovations, ensure that appliance vents and chimneys are not blocked by tarps or debris. Make sure appliances are in proper working order when renovations are complete.

A Safe Start to the New Year

LAFD member with school kidsHappy New Year from everyone at MySafe:LA.

As we look towards a busy 2013, here are some thoughts on being safe during the coming year:

First of all, remember that common sense is a positive foundation for safety. If it doesn’t sound reasonable, then it probably isn’t. So, crossing the freeway, putting a BBQ indoors, Shaking hands with lots of people during flu season, yanking your smoke alarm from the ceiling… all of those aren’t really good ideas. Don’t do these things.

FLU SEASON
The coming year will likely prove to be challenging during the flu season. Early reports indicate that flu will be particularly widespread during the winter. California is often less affected than other states, but your health is important – especially if you’re in school! The CDC recommends that you get a flu shot. For those that don’t feel the need, or who refuse for any reason, there are still some things you can do to reduce your chances of getting ill:

  • Keep your hands clean – wash your hands often
  • Get a proper amount of sleep
  • Get as much “fresh air” as possible
  • Reduce your intake of sugar (after the holiday, this should be easy!)
  • Exercise regularly

If you begin to feel the flu or a cold coming on, go home – stay home – stay away from work or school until you’re well. And, take medication appropriate to the illness immediately. If you wait a few days, your recovery time will be increased. Act.

FIRE SAFETY
As the new year begins, there are a few things you and your family can do to be FireSmart:LA. Some key things include:

  • Do you have a family escape plan? Make one. [ family escape plans will be available online from MySafe:LA in FEB 2013 ]
  • Practice your family escape plan – practice in the morning, and also at night
  • Check your family’s fire extinguishers – if the meter is in the red, replace your extinguisher
  • Check your smoke alarms – replace the batteries if required – replace the alarms if more than 8 years old
  • Inspect your home – look for anything that reasonably shouldn’t be – frayed wires, broken electric plugs, etc

Remember, if you suspect a fire dial 9-1-1. You can learn more: [ click here ]

EARTHQUAKE SAFETY
An earthquake may strike at any time. Most will be small or “medium” in intensity – the ground will rock and roll a bit, but nothing will fall from shelves and the quake will be over quickly. However, Southern California is more than 150 years overdue for a major earthquake event. So, why wait? The time to get ready is now. MySafe:LA wants everyone to be QuakeSmart:LA, so here are some things to remember as we start 2013:

  • What to do in an earthquake? Drop, Cover, and Hold On!
  • What NOT to do in an earthquake? Run, Doorway, edge of floor and wall, etc.
  • Is anyone in your family a member of CERT? Learn more [ click here ]
  • Do you have 72 hours of food, water, and basic living materials? Build a kit!

You can learn more about QuakeSmart:LA [ click here ]

So, whatever may come in 2013, there are some basic steps we can all take to ensure we have a better chance at staying healthy, safe, and prepared for any emergency that may come along. MySafe:LA will share a wide array of safety news throughout the year, and our 2013 education programs will be the best yet – stay tuned for information on our programs!