Stoney Point Fire and Rescue

Kitchen Fires 101

Abestos in Older Homes

If you believe that there may be asbestos in your home, the best thing to do is usually to leave it alone. There is no danger unless asbestos fibers are released into the air and inhaled.

What You SHOULD Do If You Think There Is Asbestos in Your Home

If you think that something in your home may contain asbestos, check it regularly for signs of wear or damage. Damaged material may release asbestos fibers. As long as it is in good condition and not in an area where it is likely to be bumped, scraped or damaged, it is best to leave it alone. If it does show signs of wear like tears, worn spots or water damage, contact a professional for testing and advice.

Not all asbestos in your home is part of the home itself. You may have stove-top pads, asbestos gloves or ironing board covers, any of which may release asbestos fibers. Those should be discarded, but be sure to check with your local health or environmental agency to find out how to dispose of them legally and safely.

If you the material you think contains asbestos is only slightly damaged, the best option may still be to leave it alone. If it is more than slightly damaged, however, or if you are planning renovations or repairs that will disturb it, you'll need the help of a professional to repair or remove it safely.

How to Identify Materials That Contain Asbestos

Unless a material is labeled, there is no way to tell if it contains asbestos by just looking at it. If you're not sure, assume that it does contain asbestos, or have it analyzed by a qualified professional. Samples should be taken by a professional because the risk of releasing asbestos while sampling is high. A trained professional will take proper precautions to avoid exposing anyone in your home to asbestos while taking samples for analysis.

If you do decide to take samples yourself for analysis, it's important to understand the dangers of asbestos and the precautions you should take to avoid exposing yourself or anyone in your home to airborne asbestos fibers. At a bare minimum, you should take the following precautions:

Keep everyone else out of the room while you are sampling. They should not reenter the room until you have completed clean-up and disposal of any asbestos.
Wear disposable gloves throughout the work to avoid getting asbestos fibers on your skin or clothing where it may be transferred later.
Place a plastic sheet on the floor below the area you're sampling to catch any dust or debris from the process.
Use a spray bottle with water and a few drops of dish detergent to thoroughly saturate the material before taking a sample. Wet materials are less likely to release dust or asbestos fibers.
Use a small knife, corer or other sharp object to remove a small piece of the material, cutting through the full depth of it.
Have a clean container ready to receive the material. Some options for containment include a film canister, glass or plastic vial or a high quality resealable plastic bag.
Seal the container tightly after the sample is inside.
Use a damp paper towel to clean any material from the outside of the container and around the area sampled. Roll up the paper towels with any debris in the plastic sheet from the floor. Dispose of the plastic sheet in accordance with state and local regulations.
Patch the sampled area with the smallest piece of duct tape possible to prevent fibers from becoming airborne.

How to Manage an Asbestos Problem

There are two ways to deal with an asbestos problem if it presents a danger - repairing or removing.

Repairing is generally done by either sealing or covering the material that contains asbestos. Sealing, also called encapsulation, treats the material with a sealant that binds the asbestos fibers together or coats the material to prevent fibers from being released. This should be done by a professional who has been trained in handling asbestos safely. Covering, also called enclosure, is placing something over the material that contains asbestos, such as wrapping insulated piping with a jacket.

Repair is cheaper than removal, but may make later removal more difficult and expensive.

Removal should always be done by a professional trained in handling asbestos safely. The risks of improperly removing asbestos far outweigh the risk of leaving it in place.

Removal is the most expensive method of dealing with an asbestos problem, and should be the last resort in most cases. There are times when removal may be your best or only option, such as when doing major renovations that will disturb the materials containing asbestos. Removing asbestos creates a possible risk not only for you and your family, but potentially for the entire community. For this reason, removal should ONLY be done by a trained and licensed professional.

For more information on asbestos and asbestos cancer, please visit The Asbestos and Mesothelioma Center.

Emergency Preparedness Links

"Ready, Plan, Stay Informed"
www.ready.gov

"Make a Plan, Build a Kit, Be Involved"
www.readync.org

"ABCs" of Tropical Cyclones
www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/tropics/tc.htm

Hurricane Preparedness
www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/intro.shtml

Child Safety Resources

Your SPFD volunteers and staff have been specially trained by NC DOT to assist you with your child's car-seat needs. If you have a question, need guidance chosing a seat or simply would like assistance with making sure you are using what you have correctly, stop by and see us. We'll be happy to ensure your child restraint system satisfies the NC laws and recommendations intended to best protect you and your little ones.

Also, please browse the following links for more information about child safety seats and other child safety tips.

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Dying For A Smoke Are You?

It's amazing how such a small item can cause so much devastation. We hear plenty on how cigarette causes lung disease and the effects of second hand smoke. Interestingly, we give very little thought to the damage caused by cigarettes beyond that of health. Along with candle-related incidents, CIGARETTES are the leading cause of fatal fires in the United States. Every year, cigarettes are responsible for 25% of fire related deaths. More than one third of all cigarette related fire injuries and deaths occur in innocent children and adults who do not smoke. You might be interested in a few "Cigarette Facts"

So smokers beware! Here are some tips to follow to help protect you and your loved-ones:

Remember CIGARETTES can burn at 1295 degrees F. THAT'S HOT!!
NEVER! light up while in bed or laying down where you might doze off.
Use proper ashtrays. Make sure they are heavy so they can't tip over easily, and that they are made of material that won't burn.
When you put one out, make sure you do so completely.
Keep matches and lighters where children cannot see or reach them.
Never tap your ash into a wastepaper basket - only an ashtray. Make sure it can't be easily knocked over and don’t let ash build up.
Don’t leave lit smoking material lying around where they can easily overbalance as they burn down, land on a carpet or a newspaper, and start a fire.
If you drink and smoke, be sure your state of mind won't allow a cigarette to ruin everyone's evening... Including ours at the station...

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Carbon Monoxide (CO) - The Silent Killer

We have all heard about not sleeping in a car with the engine running and the windows shut... But we often neglect the many sources of carbon monoxide existing in our homes. Here is a short list of possible sources to keep in mind:

Blocked chimney openings
Clogged chimneys
Gas kitchen range or stove tops
Portable heaters (Kerosene and other fuels)
Gas or wood buring fireplaces
Bas clothes dryers
Leaking chimneys, pipes or flues
Corroded or disconnect water heater vent pipes
Cracked heat exchanges
Operating BBQ grills in enclosed areas such as garages
Auto exhaust fumes from cars in attached garages

Make sure to install one CO Detector near the sleeping area. A second CO Detector within 15 feet of your furnace adds significant protection as well. Here are some resources to help you understand this menace. You need to know about the leading cause of poisoning deaths in the United States.

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Guess Who's Coming To Dinner... The fire department?

Did you know that one-fifth of all home fires inthe United States start in the kitchen? The reason is due to the presistant potential for fire there. Just think. Every time you turn on the stove you create the risk for fire. Even if you cooked only two meals a day every day, that would constitute 730 opportunities for fire to start. WOW!!! RIGHT? Here are a few tips to help ensure you don't have unexpected dinner guests!

The most fequent kitchen fire involves oil or grease that ingites during meal preparation. You should take great care to prevent grease build-up on the stove and especially in the range hood. Water should NEVER be used on such fires. It would cause the burning liquid to spatter not only on YOU but also around the stove which would spread the fire beyond control. Always have a lid at the ready for every pan or skillet in use on the stove. You can put out the fire by putting the lid on the flamming pan. Doing this takes the oxygen away from the fire and puts it out. Remember to never throw water on a grease fire. Water and grease don't mix.

It's not a good idea to try and carry a burning pan outside or to the sink. If you spilled, you'd find the burning liquid on your floor which again would spread the fire. We don't even mention the risk of burning yourself here! Just remember... PUT A LIT ON IT! Whether cooking with gas or an electric range, never place anything on the stove other than intended kitchen hardware. An electric coil reaches 800F while a gas flame will reach 1000F. Dish towels and pot holders ignite at only 400F.

Don't wear loose clothing and be careful when you reach across a burner. Draping sleeves and sheer fabrics could catch fire just by brushing against a hot burner. In households with small children, post and pan handles should be turned so they may not be reached. A young child could get serious burns from a spill. Never leave your stove unattended while cooking. If you don't have a fully charged approved fire extinguisher handy near your kitchen you should consider investing in one and learn how to use it. It could save your life!