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Una Community Fire Department | |
                  
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At the end of every year this fire department recieves statistics concerning fatalities revolving around improper fire safety in the home. Fire-related deaths dropped in Spartanburg County last year, even while the number of fires remained high. In 2014, Spartanburg County had 14 fire-related deaths, while 2015 the county had only 2 deaths for the whole year. Fire fatalities in Spartanburg County over the past few years. 2016 1
Please, follow the links given to explore the many different Fire Safety Programs that we offer.
Follow the link to check out our
Fire Safety House Interactive tool with theatrical smoke that teaches kids to survive in a fire. Contact the fire department to find out how you can get the Fire Safety House to one of your functions.
Stop, Drop, and Roll Teaches kids the basics if their clothes catch on fire. Every child needs to learn to Stop, Drop, and Roll if their clothes catch on fire. This is the quickest way to save a child.
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Fire Evacuation Planning
Assisting businesses with the proper way to prepare an emergency evacuation plans. All businesses should have a fire evacuation plan. Contact the business office if you would like information on how to implement your Fire Evacuation Plan.
Prepare a floor plan of your home showing at least two ways out of each room.
Always sleep with your bedroom door closed. In the event of a fire, this helps to hold back heat and smoke. If trying to exit your bedroom door, or any door, if the feels hot, do not open it; escape through another door or window.
Agree on a fixed location outside where family members are to meet to be accounted for. It is a good idea to have a backup location in case the main area to meet is unsafe.
ALWAYS stay together away from the fire. Call 9-1-1 from another location.
To help cut down on the need for an emergency exit in the first place, clear all unnecessary items from the attic, basement, garage, and closets. Also make sure that the halls and corridors are free of all obstructions and combustibles
NEVER GO BACK INSIDE OF A BURNING BUILDING.
Fire Extinguisher Training
Providing Practical and safe fire extinguisher training for employees of businesses. (classroom & Hands-on). We can help you make your employees more knowledgeable about fire extinguishers.
Fire Safety Inspections for Home and Business
We provide fire safety inspections to help prevent and eliminate fire hazards. If you would like to schedule a Fire Safety Inspection in your home or business office please contact the business for an appointment.
School Programs
We provide fire safety programs and demonstrations for your school. If you would like to schedule a programs, please contact the business office.
Fire engine visits and/or station tours
Allows kids to see fire engines, work areas, and to meet actual firefighters. Just call the business office or drop by the fire department to schedule a tour or a fire engine at your facility/function.
E.D.I.T.H.
Exit Drills In The Home. Every family needs to have an Exit plan in case of a fire.
Senior Care Program
We also offer a Senior Care Program. Please check with the fire department for more information.
Be prepared in case of a Power Outage
Always make sure you have a survival kit ready during a power outage. Some suggestions for your survival kits are as follows.
Plenty of can food
Bottled water
Battery powered radio
Flashlights
Extra Batteries for radio and Flashlights
Blankets
Check on the Elderly
The following links will help you to be smarter and safer when it comes to Fire Safety and your life. If you have any more questions, please contact the business office Monday - Friday 8 AM to 5 PM for more information on any program that you see here.
Are you safe in case of a power outage?
Fire Safety & Prevention in the Home:
Smoke Detectors:
Smoke is responsible for three out of four deaths. It is always a great safety precaution if you practice these few fire safety tips concerning your smoke detectors.
Install smoke detectors on every level of your home and outside of all sleeping areas.
Test every detector at least once a month.
Keep smoke detectors dust free. Replace batteries with new ones at least once a year. A good time to replace your batteries is when the time is adjusted in the Spring & Fall.
If you have a smoke detector directly wired into your electrical system, be sure that the little signal light is blinking periodically. This tells you that the alarm is active.
Smoke detectors are also available for the hearing impaired.
Fire Extinguishers:
Every home should have fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers come in handy if you are there when a fire begins. Especially when cooking.
Fire extinguishers should be mounted in the kitchen, garage, and workshop.
ABC fire extinguishers are the best type of extinguishers to have in your home because they extinguish all types of fires.
It is vital to learn how to properly use a fire extinguisher in case of an emergency. Contact your local fire department to find out if they offer fire extinguishing classes.
Fireplace:
There is nothing like a nice warm fire roaring in the fire place on a cold winter's night. However, remember that you have brought the fire into your harm, you are responsible for protecting it and respecting it.
Use a fireplace screen to prevent sparks from flying.
Don't store newspapers, kindling, or matches near the fireplace.
Don't have exposed rugs or wooden floors right in front of the fireplace.
Before the start of every heating season, have a professional inspect and clean your chimney to remove combustible creosote build-up.
Install a chimney spark arrester to prevent roof fires.
When lighting a gas fireplace, strike your match first, then turn on the gas to prevent explosions.
Furnace/Space Heaters:
While keeping warm during those cold winter nights, we need to keep fire safety in mind when using any kind of heating device.
Install and maintain heating equipment correctly. Before the beginning of heating season, have your furnace inspected by a professional.
Don't store newspapers, rags, or other combustible materials near a furnace, hot water heater, space heater, etc.
It is very important to not leave space heaters running when not in the room.
ALWAYS keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that might burn, including the wall.
NEVER use an extension cord when using a space heater. The amount of power needed to run a space heater could melt the cord and start a fire.
When lighting a gas space heater, ALWAYS light the match first, then turn on the gas.
NEVER use a gas range as a substitute for a furnace or space heater.
Clothes Dryer:
Dryers are wonderful to have and use, Especially when used properly.
Never leave home with the clothes dryer running.
Dryers must be vented to the outside, not into a wall or attic.
Clean the lint screen frequently to keep the airway clear.
Never put in synthetic fabrics, plastic, rubber, or foam because they retain heat.
Electrical Hazards:
We all depend on electricity for our basic every day needs. However, we need to practice safety with all types of electrical equipment.
Unless it is absolutely necessary, it is better to not use extension cords. If it is necessary for you to use one, make sure that the cord is not frayed or worn. Do not run it under a rug or twist it around a nail or hook.
Never overload a socket. In particular, the use of extension cords that allow for multiple plugs to be used is strongly discouraged.
Do not use light bulb wattage which is too high for the fixture. Look for the label inside each fixture which tells the maximum wattage.
Check periodically for loose wall receptacles, loose wires, or loose lighting fixtures. Sparking means that you've waited too long.
Allow air space around the TV to prevent overheating. This applies to any appliance.
If a circuit breaker trips or a fuse blows frequently, immediately cut down on the number of appliances on that line.
Be sure all electrical equipment bears the Underwriters' Laboratories (UL) label.
In some cases, many older homes still have the original wiring. The capacity of the home's wiring system has not kept up with today's modern appliances. When ever you have an overloaded electrical system, you are inviting fire into your home or business. Here are some signs that you may want to look out for in case of overload: dimming lights when an appliance goes on, a shrinking TV picture, slow heating appliances, or fuses blowing frequently. If you think that you may be in danger of fire due to old wiring, call a qualified electrician to get expert help.
Kitchen:
Everyone enjoys being able to go to the kitchen to cook up something in hurry when we are hungry, but...careless cooking is the number one cause of residential structure fires. NEVER LEAVE COOKING UNATTENDED.
It's wise to have a fire extinguisher near the kitchen. Keep it 10 feet away from the stove on the exit side of the kitchen.
Never pour water on a grease fire; turn off the stove and cover the pan with a lid, or close the oven door.
Keep pot handles on the stove pointing to the back, and always watch young children in the kitchen.
Keep kitchen appliances clean and in good condition.
Don't overload kitchen outlets, and don't use appliances with frayed or cracked wires.
Never wear loose fitting clothing when cooking. There is a possibility that your clothes may catch fire if they become too close to the eyes on the stove.
Clean the exhaust hood and duct over the stove on a regular basis.
Never operate your microwave without food.
Children:
One-fourth of all fire-deaths involving a child, the fire was started by a child.
Keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children
Never leave children unattended around fire places, space heaters, kerosene heaters, or candles.
If you have children living in your home, or occasionally have a child to stay over night with you, make sure that child knows how to escape from every room in your house and where the meeting places are at on the outside.
Flammable Liquids:
Flammable liquids should be stored only in approved safety containers, and the containers should be kept outside the house and garage in a separate storage shed.
Gas up lawn equipment outside, away from where you filled it with fuel.
Never fill a hot lawn mower or any other motor; let it cool first.
Never clean floors or do other general cleaning with gasoline or flammable liquids.
Smoking:
If you are a smoker you need to be aware that there are safety tips for you to follow also. Of course the best safety tip for smokers is to not smoke at all.
Never smoke in bed. You may fall asleep while the cigarette is still burning.
Don't smoke when you are drinking or are abnormally tired.
Use large, deep ashtrays, and empty them frequently.
Never dump an ashtray into the trash without wetting the butts and ashes first.
