Hazards

Safe Kids
Injury Prevention
 Candle Safety (7.27 KB)
 Special Report on Candle Fires (17.36 KB)
 Carbon Monoxide (7.17 KB)
 Fireworks (English) (95.23 KB)
 Fireworks (Spanish) (106.09 KB)

Safety Tips brought to you by City of Boulder Fire-Rescue

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a particular hazard this time of year. This gas is invisible and odorless. Malfunctioning furnaces and vehicles left running in attached garages are common causes of carbon monoxide poisoning in your home.

Carbon monoxide poisoning feels like the flu, but more serious levels can cause difficulty breathing, unconsciousness and even death.

Poisoning results from the carbon monoxide replacing the oxygen in your bloodstream.

Suggested precautions you can take:

• Have your furnace checked by a professional to make sure it is working efficiently.
• If you have an attached garage, start your vehicle and then drive it outside immediately. Carbon monoxide fumes are very dangerous and high levels can develop quickly.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector to provide early warning.

Candles

Fires caused by candles are becoming more common and more costly every year. For example: the NFPA tells us that “more home fires were started by candles in 1995 than in any of the previous 15 years....an average of 6,780 home fires reported to fire departments each year were started by candles.”

Homes, dormitories, churches and hotels all experienced losses from fires started by candles.

Bedrooms are the most common place that candles cause fires, followed by fires in living rooms, bathrooms, kitchens and dining rooms.

Candles can be a deadly combination with children, combustible materials like curtains, tablecloths, mattresses, newspapers, rugs, towels - anything that can burn. We fail to recognize that our beautiful candle is a true source of heat and flame. Candles are left unattended, burning in the other room - just waiting for the cat or the child to knock it over and ignite almost anything it comes into contact with. Candles can lull us to sleep while they just keep burning...often with dire consequences.

Suggested Precautions:

• Pay attention when using candles! Consider what would happen when they burn low...?
• Make sure to use sturdy, noncombustible holders that won't tip over and are large enough to collect dripping wax.
• Children should never be left alone with candles, matches or lighters - any source of flame. During a power outage, use flashlights.
• Extinguish all candles when leaving the house or going to bed.

Extension Cords

Try to avoid using extension cords, but when you have to make sure they are:

• Heavy duty extension cords are best, as should be used with multiple strings of lights.
• Check that they are in good condition without frays, or exposed wires.
• Plug the extension cord directly into an outlet, not another cord.
• Don't hide cords under rugs or tree skirts because the cord can overheat.
• Place the cords next to walls so as not to create a tripping hazard.

Last Updated on Thursday, 05 July 2012 07:31