Open house launches fire prevention week

The Fire Department also will visit schools Oct. 12 to talk to children about fire safety and prevention.

By: Charlie Olsen
   The Manville Fire Department will be visiting schools across the borough Oct. 12 to talk to children about fire safety and prevention, followed by an open house later that night at Manville Fire Company No. 2 at 13th Avenue and South Washington Avenue.
   Firefighters will be visiting Weston, Roosevelt, ABIS, Manville High, Christ the King schools and the ARC of Somerset County to perform timed fire drills as part of the National Fire Protection Association’s Fire Prevention Week.
   Following fire prevention lectures, children will be taken outside to see the smoke trailer, which simulates a smoke-filled room.
   "They’ll invited to come to Firehouse No. 2 for the open house, where they can go through the smoke trailer," Manville Fire Chief John Yanko said. "We’ll show them how to get outside in a smoke-filled room and how to choose a meeting place, and how to use the thermal imaging camera to find their parents."
   The open house will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will run until about 9 p.m. said Chief Yanko.
   "Anyone can come, from children to seniors," he said.
   According to Chief Yanko, the firefighters will also be demonstrating vehicle extrication techniques on an old smashed up car, using tools available to firefighters and the rescue squad.
   All children will leave with fire prevention prizes, and there will be free hot dogs, popcorn and birch beer.
   The Manville Rescue Squad will also be giving free blood pressure screenings.
   For those unable to attend, Chief Yanko offered the following fire safety tips:
• Test smoke detectors once a week and replace the battery every six months – when you change the clock batteries, change the smoke detector’s batteries.
• Come up with an escape plan and a meeting place. Once you’re outside the house, stay out until the Fire Department arrives. Always dial 911 from outside the house.
• Extension cords are the source of many small fires, because they aren’t rated for high-powered appliances and the insulation can become frayed from friction on the carpet. Only use them on a temporary basis.
• Don’t leave candles next to open windows; a draft could blow the flame into and ignite the curtains.
• Be careful with children around the stove and pot handles.
• If you have a fire extinguisher in the house — if the fire is small enough, you can put it out but the ultimate goal is to get out of the house.