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News and events from the Seattle Fire Department

Winter Weather – Personal Preparedness

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Image courtesy of the Seattle Fire Department

According to the Seattle Office of Emergency Management, snow and ice are identified as Seattle’s second top hazards. We know winter weather in Western Washington can be unpredictable. In December 2021, 4”-9” inches of snow fell in the Seattle Metro area followed by several consecutive days of low temps. This caused dangerous road conditions, delays to or cancellation of services, downed powerlines, business closures and more.

We also experienced many days of subsequent heavy rain resulting in urban flooding and landslides. Read about Seattle Fire Departments’ response to the Jan. 7, 2022 landslide in Magnolia: https://fireline.seattle.gov/2022/01/07/landslide-in-magnolia-neighborhood/.

Early Preparation is Key!

Snippet of the Be Prepared Infographic depicting images of items that go in an emergency kit under the title Build a Kit.
Image courtesy of the Seattle OEM

It is important to start to prepare for winter weather well in advance to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Here are some basic emergency preparedness tips to keep in mind:

Pet Safety (tips from King County)

Image courtesy of Seattle Fire Department. Two dogs standing in snow.
Image courtesy of the Seattle Fire Department
  • During cold, wet weather, keep pets inside or limit the time that pets stay outside.
  • Provide outdoor pets with a dry, warm, secure shelter out of the wind such as a garage or insulated pet house. Even dogs that normally spend most of their time outside need good shelter in cold weather, even if it is only a garage.
  • Cats and kittens often nap on warm car engines and hoods. Knock on the hood or honk the car horn before starting the engine.
  • Always have fresh, clean, unfrozen water available for pets.
  • Do not leave your pet alone in a car. It gets too cold and carbon monoxide from a running engine is dangerous.

More tips from Seattle Animal Shelter: https://thescoop.seattle.gov/2021/12/16/cold-weather-alert/

Getting Around in Snow and Ice

If you are not able to stay home and off the roads, consider these tips for increasing your safety.

Public Transportation:

If you rely on public transportation to get around the city, it is important to plan for alternative routes and other transportation options during snow and icy weather. Winter weather can cause public transportation delays or cancellations. King County Metro keeps you up to date through their transit alerts: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro/alerts-updates.aspx

Driving and Road Safety:

  • Drive for the conditions. Assume roads are icy and take extra precaution. Leave space between you and the vehicle ahead.
  • Keep your fuel tank more than half-full.`
  • Pack an emergency “go kit” in case you become stuck in your car.
  • Keep an ice scraper/brush and small snow shovel in your vehicle.
  • Roof tiles, sand or kitty litter can give your tires traction in icy conditions.
  • Tire cables, chains and four-wheel drive are recommended for traveling in the snow.

Watch for downed power lines:

Calls to 911 about downed power lines increase during snow and windstorms. If you see one, follow these safety tips.

The following agencies will provide essential information and service updates during winter weather:

That’s a Wrap! SFD finishes Toys for Tots 2021 campaign

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For more than 50 years, the Seattle Fire Department has helped collect toys for area families in need. Our support of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots continued again this year. With the support of the Seattle Fire Foundation and QFC, we hosted three successful toy collection events in 2021.

Thank you to the Seattle Fire Foundation, SFD personnel, SFD Cadets, Aetna volunteers and US Marine Corps personnel for staffing our events! We collected a total of 30 boxes of toys and $9,000 from Aetna and community members to purchase additional toys for children and teens.

Most of all, we couldn’t have done it without you! We are so grateful to our community for showing up to help families in need.

A special thank you to Curious Kidstuff (West Seattle) for welcoming our crew from Station 32 to shop for all the kiddo essentials and to Paper Boat Booksellers for helping us shop for teens!

We look forward to participating again in 2022!

On behalf of all of us at the Seattle Fire Department and the Seattle Fire Foundation, have a very safe, healthy and warm holiday.

Seattle Fire Supports Annual Toys for Tots at Three Drop-Off Locations

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The Seattle Fire Department is collecting toys as part of the Marine Corps’ annual Toys for Tots drive. We have been part of this community giving event for more than 50 years and are pleased to be involved again this year. We know many Seattleites make it a holiday tradition to bring toys to their local fire station to benefit the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots. While we aren’t able to receive visitors at our stations this year, Seattle Fire personnel, Seattle Fire Foundation, Marine Corps, and community volunteers will be at the following locations to collect toys. Come by and say hello!

Bring your donation of new, unwrapped toys and join us at these locations:

  • 11/28/21 at the University Village QFC parking lot, 2746 NE 45th St., 10:30 A.M-1:00 P.M.
  • 12/4/21 at the Westwood Village QFC parking lot,  2500 SW Barton St., 10:30 A.M-1:00 P.M.
  • 12/5/21 at the Seattle Fire Dept. Headquarters, 301 2nd Ave S., 11:00 A.M.-1:30 P.M.

If you can’t make either event, there are dozens of Seattle-area locations where you can donate. Businesses like Renaissance Seattle Hotel, Northwest Art & Frame, Edward Jones, and many others will collect at their locations. All participating organizations and businesses can be found at this link. Check closely for the last day those locations can accept toys. Most wrap up by December 10-15.

Help make this holiday season a little brighter for families who have been through so much this year. See you soon!

Holiday Fire Safety Tips: Candles and Incense

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According to the National Fire Protection Association, from 2014 to 2018, US fire departments responded to an average of 7,600 home fires started by candles per year. These fires cause an annual average of 81 civilian deaths and 677 civilian injuries, as well as $278 million in property damage.

During this period, candles were the third leading cause of bedroom fires, the fourth leading cause of living room fires and the sixth leading cause of home fire injuries. 

Candles aren’t only for birthday cakes and while flameless candles are the safest way to go, we know burning candles and incense are an important part of many religious, cultural, spiritual and personal celebrations. As we continue to enjoy this season’s important holidays, please pay special attention to the following Candle & Incense Safety Tips to keep your entire family safe:

  • Keep candles at least 12+ inches from anything that can burn.
  • Candleholders should be heat resistant, sturdy and large enough to contain any drips or melted wax and won’t tip over easily.
  • Put candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface and where they won’t be knocked over.
  • Blow out all candles before you leave a room or go to bed.
  • Keep candles, incense, matches and lighters out of reach of children.
  • Don’t burn a candle all the way down — put it out before it gets too close to the holder or container.
  • Avoid the use of candles in the bedroom and other areas where people may fall asleep.

Please watch our new incense & candle fire safety video:

National Fire Protection Association: Candles Safety

https://www.nfpa.org//-/media/Files/Public-Education/Resources/Safety-tip-sheets/CandleSafetyTips.pdf

National Fire Protection Association: Religious Candles Safety

https://www.nfpa.org/~/media/files/public-education/resources/safety-tip-sheets/religious_candles_safety_tips.pdf

Fire Prevention Month Tip: Cooking Safety

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Be alert when cooking, don’t leave cooking unattended and cover small pan fires with a lid.

Let’s Talk Cooking! This week we are highlighting the leading cause of home fires: UNATTENDED COOKING.

Most home fires start in the kitchen when a person starts cooking and forgets about the food on the stove.  It is easy to get distracted by a person, another task, a phone call or an electronic device.

Severely damaged kitchen after a stove fire

Please consider the following cooking safety tips before you cook your next meal:

  • Stay Put – stay in the kitchen when cooking
  • Use a Timer – always use a timer when cooking to remind you that the stove is on
  • Clean Up – keep the stove area clean and free of flammable objects
  • Use Lids and Covers – keep a lid or cookie sheet near the stove in case of fire

If there is a fire:

  • Never pour water on a grease or oil fire
  • The best way to put out a small pan fire:
    • Slide a lid or cookie sheet over the pot or pan
    • Turn the burner off
    • Do not move a burning pan
    • Remove the lid only after the fire is out and the pan is cooled off
  • If the fire is large and/or has spread to other items, get out quickly and if possible, close the door behind to prevent fire from spreading to other rooms
  • Call 9-1-1 after you’ve left the house or building

Thank you for tuning in to our 2021 Fire Prevention Month safety tips! We have so much more to share, so continue to visit us frequently and stay tuned for new fire and life safety videos in multiple languages and American Sign Language: HERE

Learn more about cooking fire safety

2021 Fire Prevention Month Tip: Heating Safety

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Fall weather in the PNW means many things to a Seattleite: leaves changing from green to gold, daylight savings time, back to school, pumpkin spice everything, and preparing for winter weather, just to name a few.

This week for Fire Prevention Month we are highlighting fire risks related to residential heating sources.

As would be expected, most heating-related fires occur during the colder months when heaters get turned on and the use of portable heaters and fireplaces increases. Fires caused by furniture, bedding, and other materials placed too close to baseboard and portable heaters are the most common types of heating-related residential fires.

Please review these heating safety tips

  • Never block the flow of heat; give your heaters space.
  • Keep children 3 feet away from anything that can get hot, including heaters.
  • Do not put anything close to a heater and do not let anything hang across or on a heater.
  • Never use an extension cord with a portable heater; plug a portable heater directly into a wall outlet.
  • Make sure your portable heater is tested by an independent testing laboratory and has an automatic shut-off feature if it tips over.
  • Turn portable heaters off before leaving the room or before going to bed.
  • Inspect all heating equipment yearly and always hire an experienced electrician to do any necessary repair work on your baseboard or wall heaters.
  • Clean or replace furnace filters regularly. 
  • Have your heating systems and chimneys inspected, cleaned, and repaired prior to cold-weather seasons.
Give your heaters plenty of space:12-inches for baseboard and 3-feet for space heaters.

Watch this new video created in partnership with the King County Fire and Life Safety Association. Translated versions will be available soon!

Heating Safety Messages in American Sign Language

Learn More:

Heating Fire Safety Handout

NFPA Heating Safety Tip Sheet

US Fire Administration-Keeping Kids Safe From Fire