Andrew Ross

Come out and support the Star City Volunteer Fire Department by running in the 1st Annual Star City Volunteer Fire Department Trail Run. This roughly 3 mile run through the hills of West Virginia will give most runners a nice little challenge. The event will be held at the Mylan Park Event Center in Morgantown, West Virginia. All proceeds will help us better serve the citizens of Star City and Monongalia County. Hope to see you there!

Sign-in will begin at 8 AM with the race starting at 10 AM. Please bring a valid photo ID. All runners under 18 will need to have a parent or guardian sign their waiver on race day.

SIGN UP FOR THE RACE HERE!!!

DIRECTIONS TO MYLAN PARK

 

 

Were you aware that WV leads the nation in fire related deaths per capita? Especially during these very cold temperatures of the winter months check and make sure your smoke detectors are working!

Other important things to remember during the winter months:

• Keep your furnace clean and check that the pilot light is working properly if the furnace utilizes natural gas.
• If you use a space heater, keep it away from combustible materials.
• Have all alternative heating sources such as a wood stove examined by an expert to make sure they are functioning properly.
• NEVER use the oven for heating.
• Clean and check fireplaces and chimneys regularly.
• Never use power strips to power electrical heating appliances.
• Install and test carbon monoxide detectors.

And as always, “LIKE”  us on FACEBOOK and visit our SCVFD EVENTS PAGE

12/5/2017: While shopping at Kroger in the Suncrest Towne Centre, tonight’s duty crew had the opportunity to give back in a different way to our community. Each member of the crew purchased a “Feed the Hungry” box which will give a meal to a local family in need. We encourage all members of our community to think about others everyday, but especially during these holiday seasons to help those in need with their time, money and/or talents. We at Star City VFD and EMS wish you and yours a safe and happy holiday season!

And as always, “LIKE” us on FACEBOOK and visit our SCVFD EVENTS PAGE

Carefully decorating your home can help make your holidays safer. Between 2009-2014, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 210 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 860 home structure fires per year that began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees.

Christmas trees

• Between 2011-2015, U.S. fire departments responded to an average 200 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. These fires caused an average of 6 deaths, 16 injuries, and $14.8 million in direct property damage annually.
• On average, one of every 32 reported home fires that began with a Christmas tree resulted in a death, compared to an average of one death per 143 total reported home fires.
• Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in two of every five (40%) of home Christmas tree fires.
• In one-quarter (26%) of the Christmas tree fires and in 80% of the deaths, some type of heat source, such as a candle or equipment, was too close to the tree.
• One quarter (24%) of Christmas tree fires were intentional.
• Forty-two percent of reported home Christmas tree fires occurred in December and 37% were reported in January.
• More than one-third (37%) home Christmas tree fires started in the living room, family room, or den.

Christmas Tree Burn Video

Holiday decorations

• U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 840 home structure fires per year that began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees, in 2011-2015. These fires caused an annual average of two civilian fire deaths, 36 civilian fire injuries and $11.4 million in direct property damage.
• Ten percent of decoration fires were intentional.
• The decoration was too close to a heat source such as a candle or equipment in two of every five (42%) fires.
• More than one-fifth (21%) of the decoration fires started in the kitchen. Fifteen percent started in the living room, family room or den.

Candles

• Candles started more than one-third (36%) of home decoration structure fires.
• More than half (55%) of the December home decoration fires were started by candles, compared to one-third (32%) in January to November.
• The top three days for home candle fires were Christmas, New Year’s Day, and New Year’s Eve.

Often called the invisible killer, carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane) burn incompletely. CO gas is poisonous, can make a person feel sick and in high enough concentrations can be deadly. In your home the heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are all sources that cause dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.

How to prevent CO poisoning:

1. When warming a vehicle, move it out of the garage. Do not run a fueled engine indoors, even if garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not blocked.

2. Clear snow away. During and after a snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace are clear of snow build-up.

3. Clear all debris from dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace vents.

4. Gas or charcoal grills can produce CO. Only use them outside.

5. Have heating equipment and chimneys inspected by a professional every year before cold weather sets in.

6. Open the damper when using a fireplace for adequate ventilation.

7. Never use your oven or stove to heat your home.

 

Carbon monoxide alarms:

1. CO alarms should be installed outside each sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. It is best to use interconnected alarms. When one sounds, all CO alarms in the home sound.

2. Follow the instructions on the package to properly install the CO alarm.

3. Test CO alarms at least once a month.

4. Replace CO alarms according to the instructions on the package.

5. Know the sounds the CO alarm makes. It will sound if CO is detected. It will make a different sound if the battery is low or if it is time to get a new CO alarm. If the battery is low, replace it.

6. If the CO alarm sounds, you must get fresh air. Move outdoors, by an open window or near an open door. Make sure everyone in the home gets to fresh air. Call the fire department from a fresh air location. GET OUT AND STAY OUT until help arrives.

And as always, “LIKE” us on FACEBOOK and visit our SCVFD EVENTS PAGE

 

 

As we ‘fall back’ it’s important to remember that when you “Change your clock, change your batteries”. Working smoke detectors are critical to saving lives in the event of a fire. Take the time to change all batteries in your smoke detectors and test them for proper function.

And as always, “LIKE” us on FACEBOOK and visit our SCVFD EVENTS PAGE