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April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, checking a text message while driving at 55 mph is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.
Distracted driving comes in multiple forms: Texting while driving is the most commonly reported but distracted driving also includes anything that takes your eyes off the road such as checking social media, eating, drinking, watching a video, reading, talking to people in your car, checking your GPS, grooming, fiddling with your AC, picking a different song on your phone or radio. Anything that takes your eyes off the road and/or your hands off the wheel is distracted driving.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were nearly 48,500 distracted driving crashes in 2021 in Florida alone. Those collisions killed 300 people and left 2,700 more with serious bodily injuries. 90% of teens admit to using their smartphone while driving in some capacity. But don’t think this is only a generational problem, because it’s not.
Florida Department of Transportation officials are making an effort to reduce these accidents across the state, including:
Increasing distracted driving awareness and prevention among the public
Encouraging employers and entities to adopt distracted driving policies
Supporting legislation to enhance distracted driving laws
Increasing knowledge among law enforcement officers on the investigation and data collection at distracted driving accident scenes
Educating law enforcement and others on existing laws (like careless driving) that can be applied in distracted driving cases
Launching distracted driving enforcement campaigns
Supporting Graduated Driver’s License restrictions for teen drivers
State and national officials can only do so much when it comes to making people put down their phones. Ultimately distracted driving prevention begins and ends with the drivers themselves.
For more information on distracted driving, please visit: https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
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5, 4, 3, 2, 1… HAPPY NEW YEAR! Can you believe that New Year’s Eve is already right around the corner? Before we get ready to welcome 2022, let’s take all of the safety precautions we can to ensure that we all have a safe and happy new year. Did you know that New Years Eve is one of the deadliest days for drunk driving in the United Stated? If you are celebrating New Year’s Eve away from your home or will be traveling at all, here are some tips, brought to you by the American Safety Council, to keep you and your loved ones safe:
· Plan your travel options ahead of time, arranging for a designated driver, a hotel stay, shuttle/limo service, public transportation and extra “Plan B” options before your night out.
· Consider local Sober Ride programs and have their information handy for yourself or friends. http://duijusticelink.aaa.com/for-the-public/aaas-role/public-education/sober-ride
· SoberRides.org provides a desktop and mobile site with options for how to get home safely. http://www.soberrides.org
New Years Day is also a dangerous day for pedestrians. If you are walking, make sure to stay on pedestrian paths and observe traffic laws; only cross at crosswalks and try to remain in well-lit areas. If you are driving, take extra care to consider those on foot.
Hosting a party? Consider these tips to keep your guests safe:
· Make sure smoke alarms are working and have fresh batteries.
· Contact a local cab company to provide rides for your guests or have a trusted designated driver ready to take guests home if necessary.
· Offer non-alcoholic drink options and have plenty of water available.
· Stop serving alcohol several hours before the party ends (and stick to it!).
· Provide food and snacks so guests aren’t drinking on an empty stomach. Avoid salty snacks, which can actually encourage people to drink more.
· Provide guests a place to stay overnight should they need to. Even if accommodations are less than ideal (like a blanket on the floor), they will be safe!
· Own guns? Make sure they are safely stored away. In some cultures, it was previously a tradition to participate in celebratory gunfire at midnight, shooting handguns into the air. Not only is this illegal, but it can be deadly; falling bullets can be fatal.
· Have pets? Make sure everyone knows not to feed your pets food or alcohol. Keep your pets in a familiar, cozy area, such as a bedroom, with food, water and toys and ensure their ID tags/microchips are up to date. Playing soothing music can help with loud sounds such as fireworks.
Lastly, keep in mind that the safest way to view fireworks is to attend a professional show. Fireworks cause thousands of injuries each year. Sparklers are also very dangerous being that they burn at 1200 degrees F. Mixing alcohol and fireworks/sparklers is never a good idea, a safe alternative would be noise makers, glow sticks, silly string, streamers and confetti. We hope these safety tips will help you and your loved ones have a happy and safe new year!
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Christmas Tree Safety
Some of the best family moments are created during the holiday season, and today, we want to take a few minutes to make sure that all of your holiday memories remain positive! As you deck the halls this holiday season, we hope you will keep fire safety in mind. A small fire that spreads to a Christmas tree can grow large very quickly, so let’s keep the following tips from NFPA in mind:
PICKING THE TREE
Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.
PLACING THE TREE
Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 2” from the base of the trunk.
Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.
Add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily.
LIGHTING THE TREE
Use lights that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use.
Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.
Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.
Remember to get rid of your tree after Christmas or when it is dry. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage or placed outside against the home. If you live in Pinellas county, check out the following link to find out how you can safely dispose of your Christmas tree: www.pinellascounty.org/solidwaste/wheredoesitgo. Lastly, don’t forget to bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.
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Cooking Safety
Did you know that cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries? Most kitchen fires occur due to unattended cooking. With the holidays right around the corner, there is no better time than the present to discuss fire safety, especially considering that October is Fire Prevention Month! Here are a few fire safety tips provided by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):
Always Cook with Caution
• Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.
• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.
• Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet (1 metre) around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
If you have a small (grease) cooking fire and decide to fight the fire...
• On the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
If you have any doubt about fighting a small fire…
• Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. • Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from outside the home.
Make sure you have properly working smoke alarms in your home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected, so that when one sounds, they all sound. They should also be tested at least once a month and replaced every 10 years, even if they are wired. For more kitchen fire safety tips, visit: www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Top-fire-causes/Cooking
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East Lake Fire Rescue 8th Annual 5K Run/Walk
East Lake Fire Rescue is hosting their 8th Annual 5K Run/Walk on October 16th, 2021. This is a recurring fun event to encourage a healthy lifestyle and exercise while raising funds for charity. This year the department has decided to dedicate the event to Deputy Michael Magli and will be donating a portion of the proceeds to his family. Born in Ozone Park, New York, Deputy Michael Magli came to the Tampa Bay area in 1994. Initially hired as a part-time Criminal Justice Specialist, Deputy Magli transferred to a deputy recruit position and was assigned to the Patrol Operations Bureau in 2014. He served eight years with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. On Wednesday February 17, 2021, Deputy Magli lost his life in the line of duty. He leaves behind his wife, Stephanie, and two young daughters. There is a chance that this event might turn virtual depending on COVID-19 restrictions, check out the East Lake Fire Rescue Facebook page for updates.
To register for the event, visit: http://imathlete.com/events/5k2021
To sponsor our event, visit: https://www.elfr.org/east-lake-fire-rescue-8th-annual-5k-run-walk
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April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration brings up a good point: If you’re driving down the highway, do you think there is ever a circumstance when it’s safe or smart to close your eyes for five seconds? Of course not! Keeping your eyes on the road is one of the first things we all learn about safe driving. So why would anyone ever think it’s okay to text while driving?
Distracted driving comes in multiple forms: talking, texting, checking social media, eating, drinking, talking to people in your car, checking your GPS, fiddling with your AC, picking a different song on your phone or radio; the list goes on and on. In honor of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, East Lake Fire Rescue is doing all they can to share the following message: If you’re in the driver’s seat, driving is the only thing you should be doing. No distractions. Keep yourself, your passengers, and others on the road safe – Don’t text while driving. Just drive. For more information on distracted driving, please visit: www.nhtsa.gov/distracted-driving/april-distracted-driving-awareness-month
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East Lake Fire Rescue Distributes 120+ Life Jackets
On April 10th, 2021, East Lake Fire Rescue hosted their Water Safety Drive Thru event in the Brooker Creek Plaza parking lot. During this event, community members were able to drive through in their car and pick-up free life jackets for their children as well as bags filled with water safety materials and goodies. The department was overwhelmed (in a good way!!) by the amount of people that stopped by the event. By the end of it, over 200 water safety bags and over 120 life jackets were distributed. This event was so successful that the department is already planning another similar event. For more information on upcoming events, visit the East Lake Fire Rescue Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram page.
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East Lake Fire Rescue Completes Successful Clothes Drive
To help celebrate Spring Cleaning Month, East Lake Fire Rescue teamed up with the East Lake Community Library and the East Lake Sunrise Rotary Club to encourage community members to get rid of unused clothes and donate them to a wonderful non-profit: Clothes To Kids. Clothes To Kids allows kids eligible for free/reduced lunch to shop for a week's worth of clothes, free of charge. The department collected clothes at their station and were extremely surprised by the amount of donations they received. The Fire and Life Safety Educator, Claudia, was able to drop off an entire vehicle filled with bags to Clothes To Kids! Do you have kids clothing you would like to donate? Although East Lake Fire Rescue is no longer collecting items, visit https://clothestokids.org/ for more information on where you can drop off your donations.
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Chief George Bessler “Completes” Fight for Air Climb Just Days After Brain Surgery
The East Lake Fire Rescue Assistant Chief of Training and EMS, Chief Bessler was diagnosed with a brain tumor in late March. Following his surgery, the department celebrated the fact that the brain tumor was found to be non-cancerous. After many days filled with occupational and physical therapy, he was finally discharged from the hospital, but unfortunately, he was unable to make it to the Fight for Air Climb that he has attended for the past 4 years along with his son, Alex Bessler. Alex refused to allow his father to miss this event, so this year he creatively decided to climb the steps himself wearing bunker, with a cut-out picture of his father strapped to his air tank. Chief Bessler continues to express his gratitude for all the support shown for him and his family and is humbled by the amount given.
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Have you Cleaned your Clothes Dryer Lately?
Although doing laundry might not be one of the most entertaining chores, there really is nothing like the fresh smell of just washed and dried clean clothes! How often do you wash your clothes? According to a study completed by Nielsen, globally 67% of people said they do laundry at least twice per week, but did you know how important taking care of your clothes dryer is to protect your home from fires? In fact, according to NFPA, the leading cause of home clothes dryer fires is failure to clean them. As you tackle your spring-cleaning list, make sure you add clothes dryer cleaning to your list! Check out the following NFPA tips on Clothes Dryer Safety:
• Have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional.
• Do not use the dryer without a lint filter.
• Make sure you clean the lint filter before or after each load of laundry. Remove lint that has collected around the drum.
• Rigid or flexible metal venting material should be used to sustain proper air flow and drying time.
• Make sure the air exhaust vent pipe is not restricted and the outdoor vent flap will open when the dryer is operating. Once a year, or more often if you notice that it is taking longer than normal for your clothes to dry, clean lint out of the vent pipe or have a dryer lint removal service do it for you.
• Keep dryers in good working order. Gas dryers should be inspected by a qualified professional to make sure that the gas line and connection are intact and free of leaks.
• Make sure the right plug and outlet are used and that the machine is connected properly.
• Follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions and don’t overload your dryer.
• Turn the dryer off if you leave home or when you go to bed.
It is also important to remember that dryers should be properly grounded and that the area around your dryer should be kept clear of things that can burn, like boxes, cleaning supplies and clothing, etc. Clothes that have come in contact with flammable substances, like gasoline, paint thinner, or similar solvents should be laid outside to dry, before being washed and dried as usual. For more fire safety tips, visit www.elfr.org
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Distracted Driving Awareness
If you’re in the driver’s seat, driving is the only thing you should be doing. No distractions. Keep yourself, your passengers, and others on the road safe – Don’t text while driving. #JustDrive For more info, visit: https://www.nhtsa.gov/distracted-driving/april-distracted-driving-awareness-month
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East Lake Fire Rescue Hosts Blood Drive
East Lake Fire Rescue will be hosting a blood drive at station 57 from 11am to 4pm on March 17th, 2021. All donors will receive a St. Patrick's Day T-Shirt (picture in comments) and a $10 eGift Card. Plus, a wellness checkup including COVID-19 antibody test, blood pressure, temperature, iron count, pulse and cholesterol screening!
To schedule your appointment, visit: www.oneblood.org/donate-now
**use sponsor code#59152
Many potential blood donors believe that they can’t donate blood due to medical or other reasons. But whether you’ve heard or read information about donation restrictions or been turned down in the past, please do not self-defer. You may be able to say “Yes I can!” and share your power through blood donation.
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Kids Clothes Donation Drive
March is Spring Cleaning Month, so let's get rid of unused clothes and donate them to a wonderful non-profit: Clothes To Kids. Clothes To Kids allows kids eligible for free/reduced lunch to shop for a week's worth of clothes, free of charge. Drop off donations anytime between March 28th to April 4th in the bin right in front of station 57 located at 3375 Tarpon Lake Blvd., Palm Harbor, FL 34685. East Lake Fire Rescue will be dropping off all donations to Clothes To Kids on April 5th. Please ensure you bag all of you clothes donations (if heavy, please double bag if possible). Check out our flyer for more information on the specific kids clothing we are collecting. **This is a kids clothing collection only, no adult clothes will be accepted**.
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Water Safety Drive-Thru Event
Stop by the East Lake Pinch A Penny parking lot (36235 East Lake Rd., Palm Harbor, FL) on Saturday, April 10th anytime between 10am to 12pm to drive through our water safety event! East Lake Fire Rescue and Safe Kids are partnering to provide you with lots of water safety information for you to take home and giveaways including FREE child lifejackets (while supplies last). Our goal is to prevent drownings, so stop by our event to learn safety steps you can take to make sure you and your children remain happy and safe around water. For updates and more information, check out the East Lake Fire Rescue Facebook page.
Many potential blood donors believe that they can’t donate blood due to medical or other reasons. But whether you’ve heard or read information about donation restrictions or been turned down in the past, please do not self-defer. You may be able to say “Yes I can!” and share your power through blood donation.
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Happy Halloween!
East Lake Fire Rescue Firefighters would like to wish all of you a happy and safe Halloween! To help ensure your Halloween is safe, we would like to share some tips from NFPA and from the West Central Florida County Health Departments:
If trick-or-treating is allowed in your community:
-Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
-Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
-Look for "flame resistant" on the costume labels. Wigs and accessories should also clearly indicate this.
-Avoid any sharp or long swords, canes, or sticks as a costume accessory. Your child can easily be hurt by these accessories if he or she stumbles or trips.
-Do not use decorative contact lenses without an eye examination and a prescription from an eye care professional. While the packaging on decorative lenses will often make claims such as "one size fits all" or "no need to see an eye specialist," obtaining decorative contact lenses without a prescription is both dangerous and illegal. This can cause pain, inflammation and serious eye disorders and infections, which may lead to permanent vision loss.
For those unable to go trick-or-treating, there are still plenty of activities to enjoy the holiday:
-Carving or decorating pumpkins with family members and displaying them. Children can draw a face with markers and parents can do the cutting. Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your pumpkin. If you do use a candle, a votive candle is safest. Do not place candlelit pumpkins on a porch or any path where visitors may pass close by.
-Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations.
-Visiting pumpkin patches or orchards where people use hand sanitizer before touching pumpkins or picking apples.
-Attend a small, outdoor and open-air costume parade or have a virtual costume contest If you plan to stay home this year and hand out goodies to neighborhood children:
-Remove tripping hazards to keep your home safe for trick-or-treaters. Keep the porch and front yard clear of anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.
-Check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
-Sweep wet leaves from sidewalks and steps.
-Provide grab-and-go goodie bags instead of individual pieces of candy. If you are preparing goodie bags, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after preparing the bags.
Parents are encouraged to give children a good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating to prevent overindulgence on candy. Keep an eye on what your child has in his or her mouth while trick or treating.
For Halloween & COVID19 Safety tips, visit: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/COVID-19/Pages/Halloween-COVID-Safety-Tips.aspx
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Proper Dryer Installation and Maintenance
The installation and maintenance of clothes dryers are an important part of making sure that a clothes dryer performs as designed and does not become a fire hazard. Several recommendations for clothes dryer safety include the following:
Clothes Dryer Dos
• Have your clothes dryer installed by qualified personnel.
• Clean the lint filter before and after each cycle. Do not forget to clean the back of the dryer where lint can build up. In addition, clean the lint filter with a nylon brush at least every 6 months or more frequently if it becomes clogged.
• Inspect the venting system behind the dryer to ensure it is not damaged, crushed, or restricted.
• Outside wall dampers should have a covering that will keep out rain, snow, and dirt. Do not, however, use wire screen or cloth as these can collect lint and clog areas of the dryer vent.
• Make sure the outdoor vent covering opens when the dryer is operating.
• The interior of the dryer and venting system should be serviced and cleaned periodically by qualified service personnel, especially if it is taking longer than normal for clothes to dry.
• Replace coiled-wire foil or plastic venting with rigid, non-ribbed metal duct.
• Have gas-powered dryers inspected by a professional annually to ensure that the gas line and connection are intact and free of leaks.
• Check periodically to make sure nests of small animals and insects are not blocking the outside vent.
• Make sure the correct electrical plug and outlet are used and that the dryer is connected properly.
• Read manufacturers’ instructions and warnings in use and care manuals that accompany new dryers.
• Keep the area around the clothes dryer free of items that can burn.
• If you will be away from home for an extended time, unplug or disconnect the dryer.
Clothes Dryer Don’ts
• Do not operate a clothes dryer without a lint filter or with a lint filter that is loose, damaged, or clogged.
• Do not dry anything containing foam, rubber, or plastic (i.e., bathroom rugs).
• Do not dry any item for which manufacturers’ instructions state “dry away from heat.”
• Do not dry glass fiber materials (unless manufacturer’s instructions allow).
• Do not dry materials that have come into contact with anything flammable (e.g., alcohol, cooking oils, gasoline, etc.). These should be dried outdoors or in a well-ventilated room, away from heat.
• Do not leave a clothes dryer running if you leave home or when you go to bed.
For more information, visit: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/statistics/v13i7.pdf
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Firefighter Owens and Firefighter Acosta would like to share a few NFPA’s grilling safety tips with you to ensure you and your loved ones stay safe while grilling.
Here are some general safety tips you should always keep in mind when grilling:
1. Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.
2. The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
3. Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
4. Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
5. Never leave your grill unattended.
6. Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.
Using a charcoal grill? Here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. There are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel.
2. If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire.
3. Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.
4. There are also electric charcoal starters, which do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use.
5. When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container.
Here are some more tips for those using propane grills:
1. Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off both the gas tank and the grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department.
2. If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department.
3. Do not move the grill. If the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 5 minutes before re-lighting it.
Please also keep in mind the following: NFPA 1:10.11.6.1: For other than one- and two-family dwellings, no hibachi, grill, or other similar devices used for cooking, heating, or any other purpose shall be used or kindled on any balcony or under any overhanging portion or within 10 ft (3 m) of any structure.
What this means is the Florida Fire Prevention Code prohibits any cooking on a balcony of an apartment or condominium and the minimum safe distance for cooking equipment is 10 feet . The only exception is for electrical cooking appliances such as electric ranges or electric grills.
The Florida Fire Prevention Code prohibits the storage or use of liquefied petroleum (L.P.) gas in quantities greater than 1 pound above the first floor in any apartment or condominium. Therefore, L.P. gas grills cannot be stored on a balcony. It is important to also understand that L.P. gas cylinders cannot be stored inside the residential unit or anywhere above the first floor unless they are serviced by exterior stairwells.
Quite a few of the condominiums and apartment complexes have regulations on the use of barbecue grills that exceed Florida Fire Prevention code requirements. East Lake Fire Rescue recommends checking with your management staff to see what requirements apply to use of outdoor cooking at your complex.
East Lake Fire Rescue would like to encourage you to follow the above-mentioned tips. For more safety tips, please visit our website, www.elfr.org.
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