Did you know that it takes only two seconds of exposure to 148°F (64°C) water to cause a burn serious enough to require surgery! Coffee is often served at 175°F (79°C), making it high-risk for causing immediate severe scald burns. For National Burn Awareness Week (February 3-9, 2019), the theme is scalds and how to prevent them.

Most common rooms for burn injuries are the kitchen and bathroom. Babies and small children are especially vulnerable to scalds from hot water or steam.

How to prevent scalds at home:

• Never leave a child alone in the bathroom or kitchen. If you must leave the room, take the child with you.
• Set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
• Consider installing water faucets and showerheads containing anti-scald technology.
• Keep hot foods and liquids away from table and counter edges. Never carry or hold children and hot foods and/or liquids at the same time.
• Use back burners, and turn pot handles to the back of the stove when cooking.
• Keep appliance cords out of children’s reach, especially if the appliances contain hot foods or liquids.

More information from the American Burn Association.

During times of celebration, there are common fire safety issues that all communities experience. Keep these safety considerations in mind this Chinese New Year and Vietnamese New Year (February 5).

Celebrations mean cooking and sharing food. Cooking related fires remain the main cause of fires during holidays and celebrations.

When cooking:

• Most fires start from cooking left unattended – use a timer, never leave when cooking, especially when cooking with oil.
• If a pot is on fire, cover it with a lid or flat metal pan.

If using incense and candles:

• Use battery powered candles instead of wax candles to be extra safe.
• Keep incense and candles away from drapes, pillows, bedding and anything that can burn!
• Burn incense or candles in a sturdy, heat resistant container.
• Put incense and candles out before leaving the room or before going to bed.

Smoke/Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms:

• Install smoke and CO alarms on every level of your home
• Smoke alarms should never be disabled. Use a dish towel to stop the alarm from beeping if cooking smoke sets it off.
• Test the smoke alarm by pushing the test button every 2 months. Replace battery yearly.
• When the smoke alarm goes off, that is the signal to follow the escape plan. Get out and call 9-1-1 from a safe location.

The Seattle area has seen a few windstorms already this winter that have knocked out power to thousands of homes. One danger we have during power outages is the increased possibility of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Carbon monoxide is produced any time fossil fuels are burned. During a power outage, the use of gas generators, outdoor grills, in carports or too close to the home can trap CO in the home and cause CO poisoning. Other possible sources of CO include small gasoline engines, stoves, lanterns, burning charcoal and wood, and gas ranges and heating systems.

Carbon monoxide is a gas that can cause severe illness or death. What makes it so difficult to detect is that it is odorless and colorless. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 430 people die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in the United States every year. And each year, around 50,000 people go to the emergency department from CO poisoning.

Here are ways to keep your family safe from carbon monoxide poisoning.

1. Do not use items that produce carbon monoxide inside your home or garage or outside an open window.
2. Never use gas ovens to heat your home, even for a short time.
3. If you use a fireplace or wood stove, make sure that chimneys and flues are in good condition and are not blocked.
4. Never idle a car in a garage, even when the garage door is open.
5. Make sure carbon monoxide alarms are installed on every level of your home and outside every sleeping area. Test your CO alarms along with your smoke alarms monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.

If the CO alarm sounds, turn off any heating appliance and open windows to get fresh air. Call 911 if you experience CO poisoning symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting, or headaches and move to fresh air immediately. If you suspect an appliance is the source, call a qualified technician to fix the problem before restarting the appliance.

Learn more about CO poisoning and prevention in several languages from Public Health Seattle & King County and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Seattle Fire Department Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Handout

The National Weather Service is predicting strong winds in western Washington this weekend which could cause some local power outages.

Remember, Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a dangerous, odorless, poisonous gas. Heating and cooking devices that burn fuel can be sources of CO. Follow these tips to help keep your house fire and carbon monoxide safe:

• Only use a charcoal grill, hibachi, or portable camping stove outdoors and never use them to heat your home.
• Before lighting a fire, ensure chimneys and flues are in good condition and not blocked.
• Always run a generator and any gas-powered equipment outdoors.

CO can cause severe illness and death. If you experience symptoms of headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea and mental confusion; get outside and call 911.

If your power goes out, make sure you turn off your stoves to prevent a fire when the power comes back.

Every home should have working smoke alarms. If the alarm sounds you may have less than a minute to get outside or to a safe place to call 911.

Test your smoke alarms monthly and if your smoke alarms are more than 10 years old, replace them.

Install smoke alarms:

• In every bedroom
• Outside each sleeping area
• On every level of the home
• including the basement

The Seattle Fire Department can provide and install free smoke alarms for owner-occupied homes in the city, when the home-owner is a senior or is living on a low income or has a disability. Call 206-386-1337 or email fireinfo@seattle.gov or online for more information.

May and July are the peak months for outdoor grill fires. A recent grilling fire in Seattle provides another reminder to the potential fire hazard associated with outdoor grilling.

Fortunately, there are some simple steps to take to ensure safe outdoor grilling this summer.

Setting up:

• Barbecue grills are designed for outdoor use only. Never barbecue in an enclosed area – dangerous carbon monoxide (CO) can accumulate and be deadly. If you suspect CO poisoning, call 911.
• Set-up your grill in an open area at least 10 feet away from buildings, overhead combustible surfaces, dry leaves and brush.
• Make sure all of the grilling parts are firmly in place and the grill is on a flat surface.
• The Seattle Fire Department recommends the use of one-pound propane cylinders as the least hazardous fuel source for outdoor grills.
• For propane grills, make sure the hose connection is tight and check the hoses for leaks.

During use:

• Never leave grills unattended while cooking.
• Keep a three-foot zone around the grill where children and pets aren’t allowed.
  

  Keep a three-foot zone around the grill  where children are not allowed.

• Do not leave starter fluid, lighters or matches within the reach of children.
• Use the proper tools. Long handled barbecue utensils and flame retardant mitts will prevent burns from heat and flame.
• For charcoal grills, avoid adding lighter fluid after the coals are lit.

Cleaning up:

• For propane grills, turn the grill and fuel cylinder off immediately after grilling.
• For charcoal grills, allow coals to cool for 48 hours before disposing. If you are not able to wait, douse coals with plenty of water, and stir them to ensure that the fire is out. Never place coals in plastic, paper or wooden containers; place in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid.

The use of barbecues in single-family homes, apartments and condominiums is not regulated by current Washington State law. However, apartment building owners and condominium associations, through lease agreements and owner’s association rules, may still prohibit or restrict use of barbecues.

Outdoor grilling safety tips

Since July 1, the Seattle Fire Department has responded to 99 dry weather-related fires involving bark, dry grass and shrubs. With the weather expected to stay warm and dry in the coming weeks,  we are likely to see an increase in dry weather-related fires.

Help reduce the chance of such outdoor fires by practicing these tips:

• Carelessly discarded cigarettes and other smoking materials can easily start a fire in dry conditions. Douse smoking materials in water before tossing out. Make sure proper cigarette disposal canisters are available in areas where smoking is allowed.
• Remove long grass, weeds or anything that can burn from around buildings. This includes limbs that touch buildings or hang near the roof.
• Remove dead plants or bushes as soon as possible.
• Clear roof and gutters of needles and leaves.

 

Updated 7/15/18 at 9:00AM

SEATTLE- On June 26, 2018, at 8:15 p.m., multiple reports of a large black column of smoke from the 600 block of S Myrtle St. were received at the Fire Alarm Center. A Marine Fire response was immediately initiated by the Fire Alarm Dispatcher.                                                                                   

Upon arrival fire crews discovered a large barge with over 30 feet of vertical storage containing recycled metals including crushed automobiles with a large volume of fire engulfing a major portion of the cargo. As crews secured water supply lines and began suppression efforts it became apparent the incident was evolving into a Hazardous Materials event in addition to the fire suppression challenge. Explosions were heard as these fuels and compressed propane began to ignite.

Land-based suppression efforts were effective in retarding the fire’s growth until the arrival of the Fire Boat. With the combined land and water-based fire attacks the blaze was brought under control in relatively short order.

Once the fire was under control, crane operators from the affected facility were instrumental in removing the debris to allow firefighters to extinguish hard to reach hot spots, an effort that continued for another five hours, but was necessary to ensure a complete extinguishment effort.

As the event unfolded other agencies were able to assist with environmental protection. The Coast Guard, EPA and SDOT enacted a plan to deploy boom protection for potential spill containment while also evaluating street drain impacts. Additionally, King County Airport provided a Crash Truck to increase the foam resources which was pivotal to address the hazards posed by the various types of burning material.

Two firefighters suffered minor injuries from the intense labor effort.

Fire Investigators determined the cause to be accidental in nature and provided an initial damage estimate of $1,000,000.

Capt. S. Stephenson