Midlothian Fire Department News

* It is believed in good faith that the following content can be found in the Fall 2010 edition of the Tartan Tidings and is for general reference and/or research purposes only.  For further information regarding the information listed here, please contact The Village of Midlothian in Midlothian, Illinois. *

October 3-9 was 2010 Fire Prevention Week.  This year's theme was "Smoke Alarms - A Sound You Can Live With!" Fire Prevent Week 2010 focused on educating people about the importance of smoke alarms and encouraging everyone to take the necessary steps to update and maintain their smoke alarm protection.  Smoke Alarms save lives.  Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.  When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast and you need smoke alarms to give you time to get out.

1.  Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.
2.  Test smoke alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.
3.  Smoke rises.  Install alarms high on a wall or on a ceiling.
4.  Replace batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year.
5.  Be sure the smoke alarm has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
6.  If cooking fumes or steam sets off nuisance alarms, replace the alarm with an alarm that has a "hush" button to reduce the alarm's sensitivity for a short period of time.
7.  An ionization alarm with a hush button or a photoelectric alarm should be used if the alarm is within 20 feet of a cooking appliance.
8.  Smoke alarms that include a recordable voice announcement in addition to the usual alarm sound may be helpful in waking children through the use of a familiar voice.
9.  Smoke alarms are available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.  These devices use strobe lights.  Vibration devices can be added to these alarms.

A highlight of Fire Prevention Week was the Midlothian Fire Department Pancake Breakfast.  Our firefighters wore their chef's hats as well as their fire hats.  They do an excellent job cooking up pancakes, sausage, and all the trimmings for you and your family to enjoy and everybody had a great time.