Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week - Kerosene Heater Safety

In order to prevent fires similar to last week's tragedy at 6418 Elmwood Ave., adhere to the following kerosene heater safety tips:

• Read and follow the manufacturer’s directions for correct operation and maintenance of the heater.


• Provide adequate ventilation via a slightly open window.


• Place heater away from curtains, furniture and other combustibles.


• Ensure heater is not blocking an exit or a walkway.


• Never leave a heater on while unattended.


• Refill the heater outside when the unit is cool. Never refuel a heater while it is burning.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week - Take Precautions When Out in the Cold

When you are outside:

Dress warmly in layers and stay dry. Wear hats, scarves, and water-repellent coats. Wear mittens instead of gloves; they’ll keep your hands warmer.

Cover your mouth. Protect your lungs from extremely cold air by covering your mouth.

Don’t overdue do it. Stretch before you go outside. Take your time while shoveling snow or pushing a car. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. And walk carefully on snowy, icy sidewalks!

Wind Chill makes you get colder faster, as the wind carries away heat from the body. Make sure small children stay warm - especially babies. Babies will get colder much faster than adults.

Frostbite is frozen body tissue, usually skin. It affects the extremities first: fingers, toes, ears, and the tip of the nose. The skin might lose feeling, or look white, pale, hard or waxy. As the area thaws, skin may turn red, blue or purple. Skin can also swell or blister. The victim may also feel tingling, burning or severe pain as the frostbitten tissue thaws.

Children lose body heat faster than adults, so they can get frostbite faster.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week - Holiday Tree Safety

Don't let fire ruin your holiday. Take these simple precautions when trimming your holiday tree to ensure a joyous season:

• When purchasing live, cut trees or greens, carefully inspect the needles. If they're brown or break easily, the greenery isn't fresh and poses a greater fire risk. Test for freshness by bending a few needles in half. If they snap in two, the tree is dry - look for one on which the needles spring back to their original shape.
  
• When you take your tree home, put it in a sturdy, non-tip stand filled with water.
  
• Keep live trees supplied with water at all times; dehydrated Christmas trees can catch fire more easily.
  
• Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any flame or heat source.
  
• Never decorate trees with candles.
  
• Try to position it near an outlet so that cords are not running long distances. Do not place the tree where it may block exits.
  
• Inspect electrical lights and extension cords for wear and tear and replace any cords that are beginning to fray or have broken sockets; pay special attention to outdoor lights that have been exposed to winter weather conditions. To reduce fire hazards and extend the life of outdoor decorative lights, bring them inside after the holidays.


• Avoid cluttering outlets - string no more than three strands of lights together and make sure all lights bear the mark of an independent organization such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).


• When decorating indoors, use only those lights listed for indoor use. Unplug all lights - inside and out -- before going to bed or leaving home.


• Safely dispose of the tree when it begins dropping needles. Dried-out trees are flammable and should not be left inside the home or garage, or placed against the house.


• Make sure your home is equipped with working smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. Don't forget to install, test and maintain these devices in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.


• Develop and practice a fire escape plan for your household so overnight guests are familiar with your procedures.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week - Extension Cord Safety

Improper use of extension cords and old, worn damaged cords are frequent causes of serious fires and fire deaths.

YOU SHOULD NEVER USE AN EXTENSION CORD TO POWER AN ELECTRIC SPACE HEATER!!

Electrical appliances that generate heat or utilize a motor, such as a space heater, an air conditioner or a refrigerator are designed to be plugged directly into an electrical outlet. If you use an extension cord for a light or other small appliances, consider the electrical extension cord as a temporary solution. While in use:

• Check the extension cord frequently for problems such as heating, fraying, exposed wires, or loose plugs.


• Use only three wire extension cords for appliances with three-prong plugs.
  
• Don't coil or pinch the extension cord in any way.
  
• Don't attach the extension cord to a wall or baseboard with staples or nails.


• Don't place extension cords under rugs or where they may be crushed by furniture.


• Look for extension cords with self-closing outlets to cover unused receptacles, or with a single outlet if that is all that is required.

Eliminate the need for extension cords in your home. Have a licensed electrician install a sufficient number of electrical outlets, with the proper wiring and circuit protection, to meet your family's electrical needs.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week - Keep an Emergency Winter Driving Kit

Be sure to store these items in your vehicle during the winter driving season:

- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Battery-operated or wind-up radio
- Jumper cables
- Emergency flares
- Fluorescent distress flag
- Tow chains or rope
- Cell phone and charger
- First-aid supplies
- Warm clothing, hats and mittens
- Blankets
- Ice scraper
- Snow shovel
- Road salt and sand
- Snacks
- Bottled water
- Any special needs, such as medication, baby supplies, pet food

For more information on emergency preparedenss, visit Philadelphia's Office of Emergency Management at www.phila.gov/ready.