Is Spring in the Air?

Wow... it has been awhile since I've updated this site. Winter may have been late this year, but it certainly let us know when it did arrive. Thank you to everyone for your support and assistance during the Valentine's Eve snow and ice. Spring is just around the corner, and with it comes the storms and potentially tornadoes. Here is some interesting information from FEMA about tornadoes:

Tornadoes are nature’s most violent storms. Spawned from powerful thunderstorms, tornadoes can cause fatalities and devastate a neighborhood in seconds. A tornado appears as a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground with whirling winds that can reach 300 miles per hour. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long. Every state is at some risk from this hazard.

Some tornadoes are clearly visible, while rain or nearby low-hanging clouds obscure others. Occasionally, tornadoes develop so rapidly that little, if any, advance warning is possible.

Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down and the air may become very still. A cloud of debris can mark the location of a tornado even if a funnel is not visible. Tornadoes generally occur near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm. It is not uncommon to see clear, sunlit skies behind a tornado.

The following are facts about tornadoes:

• They may strike quickly, with little or no warning.
• They may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up or a cloud forms in the funnel.
• The average tornado moves Southwest to Northeast, but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction.
• The average forward speed of a tornado is 30 MPH, but may vary from stationary to 70 MPH.
• Tornadoes can accompany tropical storms and hurricanes as they move onto land.
• Waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water.
• Tornadoes are most frequently reported east of the Rocky Mountains during spring and summer months.
• Peak tornado season in the southern states is March through May; in the northern states, it is late spring through early summer.
• Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., but can occur at any time.

As well, here are some terms to be familiar with:

Tornado Watch
Tornadoes are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.

Tornado Warning
A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately.

Here are some additional sites if you are interested in further reading on the subject:

NOAA Online Tornado FAQ (Excellent information on tornadoes)
Wikipedia Info on Tornadoes (I love this site for general info and starting point... great info in tornadoes.)

Homeward Bound Project

The fire department has now started the Homeward Bound Project. Do you or a loved one have a disability that limits getting around? Does someone you know have trouble getting around or getting out? If so, click here and download the Homeward Bound Project form and send it to the fire department. This will let us know when we are called to a residence if there are special needs we should be aware of. We'll even check in on them occasionally if you would like. Whether the need is great or small, please take a moment and let us know so that we can be better prepared to assist you should we be called.

Tracking Santa Tomorrow Night

An interesting tradition, that has taken place since 1955, has been NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) tracking the route of Santa making his route. The way this began was when Sears and Roebuck (some of you may remember this) set up a toll free number for people to call to talk to Santa. Well, one year they accidentally gave out the wrong number. The number they gave was for, what was then, the CONAD (later NORAD) Commander-in-Chief "hotline." To read more on this story, go to this link:

History of NORAD tracking Santa

If you would like to track on his route tomorrow night, click here:

To track Santa Claus via NORAD

The Glendale Fire Department wishes you and your family a Safe and Merry Christmas, and may your holiday be as joyful as when you were a child.

Christmas Tree Fire

I found this video recently on YouTube.com. This is a Scotch Pine Christmas Tree and the video shows how quickly a fire can escalate once it begins. Note the timer on the video and how quickly things move. Here is an incredible reminder of the importance of proper care for Christmas trees and following safety precautions.

Holiday Lights

Have you had the opportunity to travel about the village? If not, you have really missed a treat. The neigborhoods are aglow with holiday lights and decorations... a definite joy for all ages. While holiday lights are beautiful to see, maintaining safety is important. Here are a few tips to ensure you have a safe and beautiful light show for everyone to see:

• Maintain Your Holiday Lights
  Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.
  
• Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets
  Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires - they should not be warm to the touch.


• Do Not Leave Holiday Lights on Unattended

Enjoy the lights and festivities, and remember to be safe!

Hear Those Sleigh Bells Ringing?

The Christmas season is well upon us and as you begin preparing your home for the holiday, I thought I would post some tips to keep your cheer safe. According to the United States Fire Administration, each year fires occurring during the holiday season injure 2,600 individuals and cause over $930 million in damage. Please don't become a statistic. Take a moment to ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones.

PREVENTING CHRISTMAS TREE FIRES

• Selecting a Tree for the Holiday
  Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.
• Caring for Your Tree
  Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree. Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.
• Disposing of Your Tree
  Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or woodburning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.

A few simple steps will prevent your home from becoming a statistic. So, on behalf of the Glendale Fire Department, we wish you a happy and safe holiday. Please check back here often as we add more helpful tips.

Happy Thanksgiving!

It seems this year has passed so quickly and we are now entering the holiday season. This time of year brings back so many memories of Thanksgiving when I was growing up. For a kid, this was one of those few times of year one could see all the family... time with family seems so taken for granted today. As well, one cannot forget the food... anyone who knows me knows all too well the... uh... healthy appetite I have. As you and your family gather this Thanksgiving, please remember these tips to keep your family safe and the memories of this year great:

• Keep your family and overnight guests safe with a working smoke alarm on every level of the house, in each bedroom and in the halls adjacent to the bedrooms. Test smoke alarms monthly, and replace batteries at least twice a year.
  

• Overnight guests should be instructed on your home’s fire escape plan and designated meeting place for your family.
  

• Have a fire extinguisher available not more than 10 feet from the stove, on the exit side of the room.
  

• A standard Class ABC multi-purpose dry chemical extinguisher is recommended. Know how to use your fire extinguisher.
  

• Start holiday cooking with a clean stove and oven.
  

• Keep the kitchen off limits to young children and adults who are not helping with food preparations. This will lessen the possibility of kitchen mishaps.
  

• When cooking, do not wear clothing with loose sleeves or dangling jewelry. Clothing can catch on fire and jewelry can become entangled with pot handles, causing spills and burns.
  

• Cook on the back burners when possible, and turn pot handles inward so they don’t extend over the edge of the stove.
  

• Never leave cooking unattended. If you must leave the kitchen while cooking, turn off the stove or have someone else watch what is being cooked. Unattended cooking is the number one cause of home fires and fire-related injuries in Prince George’s County.
  

• Keep Thanksgiving decorations and kitchen clutter away from sources of direct heat.
  

• Candles are often part of holiday decorations. They should never be left burning when you are away from home, or after going to bed. Candles should be placed where children will not be tempted to play with them, and where guests will not accidentally brush against them. The candle holder should be completely non-combustible and difficult to knock over. The candle should not have combustible decorations around it.
  

• If smoking is allowed inside, provide guests with large, deep ashtrays and check them frequently. After guests leave check inside, under upholstery, and in trash cans for cigarette butts that may be smoldering.
  

If using a Turkey Deep-Fryer for cooking. Along with their popularity comes the risk of additional fires and fire related injuries. The following precautions should be exercised when using Turkey Deep-Fryers.

1. Only use outdoors and on a concrete or non-combustible surface.

2. Never leave unattended.

3. Keep all activity a safe distance from cooking area.

4. Have an extinguisher, bucket of sand, or extinguishing agent nearby.

5. Follow manufacturer’s instructions on the proper use of these devices.

The Thanksgiving holiday is a time for rejoicing and giving thanks for all that we have. Have something you are particularly thankful for this year? Please post it in the comments section here. It would be great to hear and would be an opportunity for all of us, as a village, to celebrate with you.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and always remember to be safe!