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Bill would require extinguishers |
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Friday, 28 March 2008 |
By MIKE BURKHOLDER
Managing Editor
ST. MARYS — A proposed bill requiring fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors in all residential dwellings is a step in the right direction for fire safety and prevention, a local fire chief says.
House Bill 491, proposed by 68th House District Rep. Kathleen Chandler, D-Kent, would require the Board of Building Standards to adopt rules and set guidelines for the policy. Under the bill, the transfer of residential real property would be prohibited unless fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors are installed in a dwelling.
“I believe this would be a smart move and a benefit — especially with the carbon monoxide detectors,” St. Marys Fire Chief Ken Cline said. “On a local level, we had a number of fatalities from carbon monoxide in recent years.”
Cline said one of the stipulations he would prefer to see in the bill is a section addressing training on fire extinguishers. While residents may have the devices in their homes, Cline said often times they are not properly trained on how to handle the extinguishers.
“I think at the very least there should be some training materials provided to a home owner,” Cline said. “What we teach is the PASS method — point, aim, squeeze and sweep.”
Cline said firefighters each year put on a program for local students on the proper techniques for using a fire extinguisher. The department also recently hosted a program to provide smoke detectors to every residential dwelling in St. Marys.
“It is going pretty well,” Cline said of the initiative. “We did go door-to-door to provide a smoke detector for those who did not have one and also gave an additional one for two-story homes.”
In addition to the smoke detectors, firefighters provided literature on fire safety and proper maintenance of the devices. The fire chief said the second phase of the program could kick off later this year.
“What we are hoping to do is a follow-up battery program,” Cline said. “The biggest problem with smoke detectors is they might have one, but it doesn’t work because they took the battery out of it.”
As for carbon monoxide detectors, Cline stressed the importance of the devices.
Cline said when the device goes off, residents should treat it as an emergency and contact the fire department for assistance.
“If it does go off, ventilate your house and call us,” Cline said. “My concern is when people just take the battery out if the thing goes off. If nothing else, call us and we can do a check.” |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 02 April 2008 )
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