Spring Fire Safety Tips:

 

Springtime is just around the corner and the “April showers bring May flowers”.  The showers of late March and April also bring Severe Storms, Intense Lighting and Tornados.  Every year, numerous storms cause power outages, damage to buildings and injuries.  The Wentzville Fire Protection District wants all of our citizens to plan ahead for severe weather.   

 

We have this question for our citizens, “Are you and your family prepared to survive a disaster such as a tornado or severe thunderstorm for at least 3-days before any assistance can arrive?”  Over the past two years, residents in St. Charles County and especially in the Wentzville Fire Protection District have experienced power outages, ice storms, flooding, high winds and tornadoes.  The families that were prepared recover quicker. 

 

Here are some safety tips and things you can do to protect your family.

 

  • Have family disaster plan.  The plan should cover what to do, where to meet and how to contact family members in the event of a fire or severe weather.  Make sure all family members know the plan.  Also, give this emergency information to babysitters and other caregivers.
  • Put together an emergency Disaster supply kit for your home, car, office and if possible your child at school.  There are many web-sites that have this information.  One recommended by the Wentzville Fire Protection District is the Missouri SEMA web-site at: http://sema.dps.mo.gov.
  • Conduct fire, tornado and earthquake drills at least once every six months, more often is better.
  • Families should conduct E.D.I.T.H. (Exit Drills In The Home) drills to make sure that everyone knows all possible ways to exit their home or office and where to meet outside.
  • Learn first aid and CPR, have a tone-alert weather radio to receive severe weather warnings.  Also have a portable radio and flashlights with extra batteries in case there are power outages.
  • Keep some cash on hand and your gas tanks full, because if the power is out, ATM machines and gas pumps will not operate.
  • Make copies of your vital records and store them in a safe deposit box.  Make sure your originals are stored safely.  Take photos of your valuables and keep them in your safe deposit box.

 

Protecting your pets:

 

  • Store enough food and water to last at least three days for each pet. 
  • Consider having a permanent microchip implanted in your pet.  This ID cannot be lost or removed.  See your veterinarian for more information.
  • Prepare an emergency kit for your pet.  It should include an unbreakable food dish, any medications, a leash/collar/harness or pet carrier and a copy of your pet’s veterinary records.

 

Other Spring-time Information:

 

-         March 11th, 2008 – Missouri State-Wide Tornado Drill at 1:30 pm

-         April 15th, 2008 – No open burning after this date until September 15th, 2008. For more information on the Open Burning Policy of the Fire District, please check the “Open Burning Regulations” tab at the bottom of the “Permits and Inspection” page.

-         May 23rd, 2008 to May 27th, 2008 – Memorial Day Holiday Weekend – Be careful on the roadways while traveling.

-         End of May 2008 – Schools will be out of session, please watch out for children as they may not be careful watching for you.

 

Have a Safe and Fun Spring-time from the Wentzville Fire Protection District.