Emergency Preparedness / 2023 / October
October 2023 Message
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in our country. This year Fire Prevention Week is officially October 8-14, but fire prevention and safety can be taught any week of the year. The most important ways to prepare for a fire are to have smoke detectors and at least one fire extinguisher in your home, and to talk about, teach, and practice fire prevention.
Most house fires are caused by cooking-related incidents. Information on preventing kitchen fires can be found on the National Fire Prevention Association website, including a coloring page for kids! Some rules of thumb found there are:
Keep pot handles turned to the back of the stove where they can't get caught or snagged on anyone walking by.
Never leave the stove unattended when food is cooking on the stovetop.
Teach kids the importance of keeping distance from hot surfaces.
Keep the area around the stovetop free of clutter, including dishtowels and oven mitts.
Another site with great resources and information about preparing for and preventing home fires is the US Fire Administration site. Some more ways to prepare for a fire emergency, which you can do as a family are:
Determine an evacuation plan for your house, and have a fire drill where everyone practices evacuating and meeting at a designated meeting spot outside your home.
Memorize family members' phone numbers and other emergency phone numbers. 911 is easy, but do and your kids have other important phone numbers memorized in case you have to call someone using a neighbor's phone?
Check all of your smoke detectors to make sure the batteries are charged.
Jesus taught: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16). As we go into winter and the holiday season, let's make sure we are shining our spiritual lights, while also practicing good fire safety in the home!
Sincerely,
Holly & Chris Earls
Stake Emergency Preparedness