As we near the end of Black History Month, we wanted to take a brief look back at our own history and reflect on the struggles of our first black firefighters that compelled an association to advocate for the needs and interests of these members.

The Seattle Black Fire Fighters Association formed just over 50 years ago out of the need to support the small number of black firefighters working at the Seattle Fire Department. In 1959, the Seattle Fire Department hired its first black firefighter, Claude Harris. It would take eight years (1967) before the fire department hired more black firefighters. By 1968, black firefighters began meeting to support each other to confront the overt racism they faced at work. The hostility towards them would be the impetus in starting the Seattle Black Fire Fighters Association.

By 1970, the Seattle Black Fire Fighters Association had expanded and evolved from providing mostly recruitment and promotion support of black firefighters with the Seattle Fire Department to an organization that supported community-based groups and local leaders. The decision to engage community helped the Association to garner community support as it challenged discriminatory practices within the department. The Association also sought to give back to community members and organizations who had supported black firefighters over the years. Some of the activities in 1970 that the Seattle Black Fire Fighters Association members participated in were black community parades, Garfield High MLK Banquets and donations to local community and charitable organizations.

While it has been over 50 years since the Seattle Black Fire Fighters Association started, their work remains relevant and they continue to be active. Today the Seattle Black Fire Fighters Association provides recruitment and promotional support to the department and continues to participate in local parades. It also remains dedicated to assisting black firefighters and other marginalized groups and advancing equity within the fire service at the local, national and international level. The Seattle Black Fire Fighters Association is a member organization of the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters and its historical and ongoing mission is to “Keep the Fires Burning for Justice.”

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 (January 25).

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. Always use a timer when cooking and never leave the kitchen area, especially when cooking with oil.

• If a pot or pan is on fire, cover it with a lid or flat metal pan. Do not throw water on a grease fire.

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.

Fireworks & Firecrackers:

• Firecrackers are loud. Use earmuffs or earplugs, especially for children.
• Leave all fireworks activities to the professionals. Fireworks are not allowed in Seattle except for certain ceremonial purposes with a permit from the Seattle Fire Department .

When temperatures drop during the winter months, the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning increases.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year approximately 50,000 people visit emergency rooms in the U.S. due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.

With colder weather and snow in the forecast for the Seattle area , now is the time to make sure that you are taking precautions to prevent CO poisoning. The good news is that CO poisoning is preventable.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that can cause severe illness or death. CO is found in all fires, as well as fumes produced by charcoal or gas. It is produced by cars and trucks, small gasoline engines, stoves, lanterns, burning charcoal and wood, and gas ranges and heating systems.

Here are ways to prevent CO poisoning:

• Do not use items that produce CO inside your home or garage or outside an open window.
• Never use gas ovens to heat your home, even for a short time.
• If you use a fireplace or wood stove, make sure that chimneys and flues are in good condition and are not blocked.
• Never idle a car in a garage, even when the garage door is open.
• Keep vents and flues free of debris. Debris can block ventilation lines.
• Make sure you have CO alarms on every level of your home and outside of the bedrooms. Replace batteries yearly to ensure your CO alarm will work if needed.

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.

• Carbon Monoxide facts in many languages
• CO Poisoning Prevention Handout

The Seattle Fire Department would like to wish you all a very happy New Year. Here are some safety reminders to carry into 2020.

Old Christmas Trees

Don’t burn your Christmas tree. Burning trees at public locations such as parks and beaches is illegal. Instead, treat your old Christmas tree like you would compost or yard waste by putting it on the curb for compost/yard waste pick up. Seattle Public Utilities will pick up Christmas trees until January 31, 2020.

Candles

December and January are the leading months for candle fires.

• Use flameless or battery operated candles
• When using candles with flames, extinguish all candles upon leaving a room or before going to sleep

• Place candles in sturdy metal, glass, or ceramic holders

• Place lighted candles where they won’t be knocked over by children, pets or anyone else
• Keep burning candles away from items that can catch fire such as furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, etc.

Fireworks

• Fireworks are not allowed in the city of Seattle or King County without a permit.
• Leave the fireworks to the professionals and attend a public fireworks display such as one at the Space Needle.

Smoke Alarms

• Now is a good time make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms are working by testing and replacing batteries if necessary.
• Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home, in the hallway outside of bedrooms, and inside each bedroom. CO alarms should be on every level of the home outside of the bedrooms.
• Learn about the Seattle Fire Department’s free smoke/co alarm program

During the winter months, lights and candles get lit to brighten up our homes for the holidays. Unfortunately, this is also the time of year when the fire department responds to more fires involving candles and holiday lights.

Be mindful of your candles and festive lights this holiday season and take a few steps to ensure your holidays are joyful and safe.

Be Safe with Candles

More than half of all candle fires start when combustible materials (such as drapes, clothing, and bedding) are too close to the candle. December is the peak month for candle fires and roughly 1/3 of all candle fires started in the bedroom.

Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which can look, smell and feel like real candles.

If you use candles:

• Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or before going to sleep.
• Put candles in sturdy metal, glass, or ceramic holders.
• Place lighted candles where they won’t be knocked over by children, pets or anyone else.
• Keep burning candles away from items that can catch on fire such as furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, etc.

How to handle those holiday lights

• Avoid overloading electrical outlets for both indoor and outdoor lights.
• Limit connecting of holiday lights to 3 strands.
• Do not use frayed, broken or worn string lights.
• Use low wattage mini lights at 2.5-watts or energy efficient LED bulbs, which operate at a cool-to-the-touch temperature.
• Always unplug tree lights before leaving home or going to sleep.

And finally, make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms are working. To learn more about the Seattle Fire Department’s free smoke/CO alarm program visit us online or email fireinfo@seattle.gov or call 206-386-1337.

The Seattle Fire Department wishes you very safe and happy holidays!

Daylight Saving Time comes to an end this weekend. Now is a good time to make sure that your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms are working by testing them and replacing batteries if needed. Don’t wait until your alarm begins to “chirp” at an inconvenient time before deciding to change the batteries. Do it now!

Changing smoke and CO alarm batteries at least once a year is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce home fire deaths and CO poisoning. In fact, working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by nearly one-half by providing an early warning and critical extra seconds to escape. Consider installing a long-life battery powered smoke/CO alarm to avoid yearly battery replacements.

Seattle homeowners who identify as seniors, have a disability or live on a low income may qualify for a free smoke/CO alarm with long-life battery from the Seattle Fire Department. If you rent or live outside of Seattle and need new smoke alarms, contact the American Red Cross or your local fire department.

Heaters are the second leading cause of fires in residential buildings. 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 increase. Fires caused by furniture, bedding, and other materials placed too close to baseboard heaters and portable heaters are the most common types of heating-related residential fires.

Safety Precautions for Residents

• Give your heaters space. Do not put anything close to any type of heater.
• Never use an extension cord with a portable heater. Plug the 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.
• Never permit any item to drape across heaters.
• Clean or replace furnace filters regularly.
• Inspect all heating equipment yearly and always hire an experienced electrician to do any necessary repair work on your baseboard heaters.

Read more Heating Fire Safety information