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Home Heating Tips

No matter what type of device you use to heat your home, making sure your heating devices and/or systems are in good working order is an important part of learning some fall fire safety tips. Many things can go wrong with heating equipment during the spring and summer months. Verify that everything you need to keep your home warm throughout fall and winter is in good working order before you experience the first cold snap of the season.

Central Heating System Safety Tips

Space Heater Safety Tips

Family Fire Safety Tips

Outdoor Fall Fire Safety Tips

(Fall Safety Tips Courtesy of http://safety.lovetoknow.com/Fall_Fire_Safety_Tips )

WINTER SAFETY TIPS FOR CHILDREN & INFANTS

Courtesy American Academy of Pediatrics

What to Wear

• -Dress infants and children warmly for outdoor activities.  Several thin layers will keep them dry and warm. Don’t forget warm boots, gloves or mittens, and a hat.
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• -The rule of thumb for older babies and young children is to dress them in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions.

• -Blankets, quilts, pillows, sheepskins and other loose bedding may contribute to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and should be kept out of an infant’s sleeping environment.  Sleep clothing like one-piece sleepers is preferred.  

• -If a blanket must be used to keep a sleeping infant warm, it should be tucked in around the crib mattress, reaching only as far as your baby’s chest, so the infant's face is less likely to become covered by bedding materials.

Hypothermia

• -Hypothermia develops when a child's temperature falls below normal due to exposure to colder temperatures. It often happens when a youngster is playing outdoors in extremely cold weather without wearing proper clothing or when clothes get wet. It can occur more quickly in children than in adults.

• -As hypothermia sets in, the child may shiver and become lethargic and clumsy.  Speech may become slurred and body temperature will decline in more severe cases.

• -If you suspect your child is hypothermic, call 911 at once. Until help arrives, take the child indoors, remove any wet clothing, and wrap him in blankets or warm clothes.

Frostbite

• -Frostbite happens when the skin and outer tissues become frozen.  This condition tends to happen on extremities like the fingers, toes, ears and nose.  They may become pale, gray and blistered. At the same time, the child may complain that his/her skin burns or has become numb.

• -If frostbite occurs, bring the child indoors and place the frostbitten parts of her body in warm (not hot) water.  104° Fahrenheit (about the temperature of most hot tubs) is recommended. Warm washcloths may be applied to frostbitten nose, ears and lips.
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• -Do not rub the frozen areas.
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• -After a few minutes, dry and cover the child with clothing or blankets. Give him/her something warm to drink.

• -If the numbness continues for more than a few minutes, call your doctor.

Winter Health

• -If your child suffers from winter nosebleeds, try using a cold air humidifier in the child's room at night. Saline nose drops or petrolatum may help keep tissues moist. If bleeding is severe or recurrent, consult your pediatrician.

• -Many pediatricians feel that bathing two or three times a week is enough for an infant’s first year. More frequent baths may dry out the skin, especially during the winter.

• -Cold weather does not cause colds or flu.  But the viruses that cause colds and flu tend to be more common in the winter, when children are in school and are in closer contact with each other.  Frequent hand washing and teaching your child to sneeze or cough into the bend of her elbow may help reduce the spread of colds and flu.
• -Children 6 months of age and up should get the influenza vaccine to reduce their risk of catching the flu.

Winter Sports and Activities

• Set reasonable time limits on outdoor play to prevent hypothermia and frostbite.  Have children come inside periodically to warm up.

 Ice Skating

• Allow children to skate only on approved surfaces.  Check for signs posted by local police or recreation departments, or call your local police department to find out which areas have been approved.
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• Advise your child to:
  • -Skate in the same direction as the crowd
  • -Avoid darting across the ice
  • -Never skate alone
  • -Not chew gum or eat candy while skating.
• -Consider having your child wear a helmet while ice skating.

Sledding

• -Keep sledders away from motor vehicles.
• -Children should be supervised while sledding.
• -Keep young children separated from older children.
• -Sledding feet first or sitting up, instead of lying down head-first, may prevent head injuries.
• -Consider having your child wear a helmet while sledding.
• -Use steerable sleds, not snow disks or inner tubes.
• -Sleds should be structurally sound and free of sharp edges and splinters, and the steering mechanism should be well lubricated.
• -Sled slopes should be free of obstructions like trees or fences, be covered in snow not ice, not be too steep (slope of less than 30º), and end with a flat runoff.
• -Avoid sledding in crowded areas.
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Snow Skiing and Snowboarding

• -Children should be taught to ski or snowboard by a qualified instructor in a program designed for children.
• -Never ski or snowboard alone.
• -Young children should always be supervised by an adult.  Older children’s need for adult supervision depends on their maturity and skill.  If older children are not with an adult, they should always at least be accompanied by a friend.
• -Consider wearing a helmet.
• -Equipment should fit the child.  Skiers should wear safety bindings that are adjusted at least every year.  Snowboarders should wear gloves with built-in wrist guards. Eye protection or goggles should also be used.
• -Slopes should fit the ability and experience of the skier or snowboarder.  Avoid crowded slopes.
• -Avoid skiing in areas with trees and other obstacles.
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Snowmobiling

• The AAP recommends that children under age 16 not operate snowmobiles and that children under age 6 never ride on snowmobiles.
• -Do not use a snowmobile to pull a sled or skiers.
• -Wear goggles and a safety helmet approved for use on motorized vehicles like motorcycles.
• -Travel at safe speeds.
• -Never use alcohol or other drugs before or during snowmobiling.
• -Never snowmobile alone or at night.
• -Stay on marked trails, away from roads, water, railroads and pedestrians.

Sun Protection

The sun’s rays can still cause sunburn in the winter, especially when they reflect off snow.  Make sure to cover your child’s exposed skin with sunscreen.

Fire Protection

Winter is a time when household fires occur. It is a good time to remember to:

• -Buy and install smoke alarms on every floor of your home
• -Test smoke alarms monthly
• -Practice fire drills with your children
• -Install a carbon monoxide detector outside bedrooms

American Academy of Pediatrics, 12/10
SafeKids,  11/105

When the temperature starts to drop, it's essential to make sure you're observing all applicable winter safety tips for keeping yourself and your family warm. This includes making sure the temperature in your living environment is properly regulated and that you're using home heating equipment properly.

Home Heating Inspections

The fact that your central heating unit, space heater, and/or fireplace were working properly at the end of last season does not mean that they're ready for the current one. Before frigid temperatures set in, get a professional to conduct a safety inspection of your heating units as well as your fireplace's flue and chimney.

If any potential risks are found, act immediately to remedy them. If you'll be using space heaters, make sure your rooms have proper ventilation and that the units are not placed near anything flammable or that otherwise poses a danger. Using unsafe heating systems can result in fire, injuries, or carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If you have a central gas heater, use gas powered space heaters, or have a fire place, install a sufficient quantity of carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Even if you already have detectors, make sure they are in proper working order and go ahead and change the batteries so you can be certain that they're fresh.

Protect Your Plumbing

When temperatures dip below freezing, it's important to take steps to prevent ruptured plumbing. To prevent burst pipes, leave water dripping slightly so that water is constantly running through them to reduce the chances of freezing. Additionally, open the cabinets in which indoor pipes are housed so they are exposed to the warmest temperatures in your home. Outdoor pipes should be wrapped with sufficient insulation to reduce exposure to the elements.

Winter Storm Preparations

If you live in an area prone to winter storms, it's important to plan for their occurrence early in the season. Don't wait until the last minute to prepare your home for winter storms and to stock up on the supplies you might during a serious snow or ice storm.

Supplies include:

• Battery powered radio
• NOAA weather radio
• Flashlights and lanterns, with spare batteries
• Drinking water
• Non-perishable food that doesn't require cooking
• Baby food and formula (if needed)
• Pet food
• Prescription medications
• First aid kit
• Rock salt (to melt snow on sidewalks and driveways)
• Sand or cat litter (to make sidewalks and driveways safe to walk on)

Winter Activity Tips

In addition to making sure that your home is prepared and stocked to deal with the winter weather situations that you can expect as the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, it's also important to consider winter safety tips for the activities that you and the other members of your family are likely to participate in this time of year.

Dress Appropriately

When heading outdoors to participate in wintertime activities, whether you'll be hiking, skiing, shoveling snow from your driveway, or any other outdoor activity, make sure that you dress warmly. It's wise to dress in layers when you'll be exerting yourself in frigid temperatures so that you can start out properly insulated and then shed layers as your body temperature starts to rise as a result of your level of activity.

Use Properly Maintained Equipment

Many winter sports require specific equipment. Make sure that your equipment is in good condition and properly maintained. For example, snow skis need to be properly waxed, ice skate blades need to be sharpened, and snowmobiles should be serviced at the beginning of each season. It's also important to make sure that sized items, such as snow ski boots and ice skates, are properly fitted. Because children grow so rapidly, there's a good chance they'll need a larger size each season.

Winterize Your Vehicle

Make sure you're prepared to travel back and forth to your winter activities, as well as to work and to school, by preparing your car for the coldest months of the year. Prior to the first freezing nights of winter sure that all fluids are changed and full, especially antifreeze and oil. Keep a scraper on hand to remove ice from your windows and windshield. If you live in an area where chains and snow tires are needed, get prepared in time for the first snowfall. 

The City of Oelwein takes pride in presenting accident-free employees with recognition of their efforts. (Below) City Council Member Duane Brandt presented the First Quarter Safety Awards to City Building Inspector Jim Prouty, Oelwein Fire Department Firemen Nathan Westendorf and City Hall Bookkeeper Nancy Meyer.

(Below) City Administrator Steve Kendall presented the Second Quarter Safety Award to Officer Bruce Barker with the Oelwein Police Department.

(Below) City Administrator Steve Kendall presented the Third Quarter Safety Awards to Utilities Superintendent Vic Kane, Jim Spence with the Street Department and Dennis Graves with the Parks Department.

The City of Oelwein recognizes the below City Departments in remaining "accident-free" from July 2010 until June 2011. Mayor Larry Murphy and City Council Members Duane Brandt and Paul Ryan presented certificates to these departments at the annual City Employee Safety Picnic.

Administrative

Cemetary

Library

Parks

Utilities

The City of Oelwein and the Oelwein Police Department reminds citizens to do their part on the streets of Oelwein. Barracades and warning lights reminds drivers to slow down, obey traffic signs or lights.  Construction zones are needs to address traffic issues or repair city utilities.  Your cooperation and safety awareness is greatly appreciated.