Public Service Annoucements

Cold-Weather Safety Tips

Supplemental Heating Devices

• Use and maintain supplemental heating devices in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.
• Do not leave heating devices unattended or turned on while you are sleeping.
• Provide all heating devices with at least three feet of clear space, away from beds, drapes, furniture and other combustible materials.
• Examine gas lines for punctures or splits. Check the connectors and valves for leaks.

Heat-Producing Appliances

• Leave space for air to circulate around other heat-producing equipment, such as copy machines, coffee makers and computers. Keep appliances away from anything that might catch fire. Do not stack books or papers on top of computer monitors.
• Designate someone to turn off or unplug all appliances at the end of each workday at work.

Chimneys and Fireplaces

• Clean and maintain chimneys fireplaces and furnaces on a regular basis. Most fires in wood stoves, fireplaces and chimneys occur because of a lack of regular cleaning, leading to the buildup of creosote (the residue of unburned fuel).
• Keep sparks and embers inside the fireplace with fire screens made of heat-tempered glass or sturdy metal.
• Burn dry, well-seasoned hard wood because it’s the most efficient fuel.

Smoke and CO Alarms

• If you don’t have smoke alarms, install them. If you do, maintain them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Install CO alarms in your home to provide you with an early warning if CO is accumulating. Heating equipment that burns fuel is a potential source of carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas that is created when fuel burns incompletely.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms weekly to be sure they are working properly. Change the batteries in all alarms at least once a year.

General Fire-Prevention and Safety Practices

• Have a family escape plan with a meeting place. Once you exit your home, DO NOT return. Too many people lose their lives going back into a burning home.
• If you use candles, make sure you use them in a safe environment in a fireproof container and away from children. Do not leave them unattended. If possible, consider using flameless, battery-operated candles.

Consider getting a residential fire sprinkler installed. According to statistics, the risk of death by fire is reduced by 82 percent when smoke detectors are accompanied with residential fire sprinklers.

Congratulation to Lewis University on their New Air Traffic Controller Program

Lewis University has been selected into the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) Program.  Lewis is one of nine chosen by the FAA to prepare students for careers as air traffic controllers.  This training will begin in the fall of 2008.

The FAA is expecting over 15,000 air traffic controllers to retire in the next decade and with global air travel increasing 4.5 % annually, graduates of the new program can expect to find a ready market for their skills.