Recipe for a successful Thanksgiving? Don’t set your house on fire
By Carter Hall, CSFD Firefighter
Thanksgiving is a day of gratitude, family, friends, and, of course, delicious food. No surprise: All of us with the College Station Fire Department are thankful when everyone practices holiday safety in the kitchen, since Thanksgiving is the leading day for home-cooking fires.
In fact, the United States averages 1,800 cooking fires every Thanksgiving Day. That’s three times the number of fires occurring on any other day of the year, which is why these simple safety tips are so important:
- Never leave unattended food on the stove or in the oven.
- Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing and long sleeves while cooking because those can easily catch fire.
- Keep children at least three feet away from the cooking area; watch them closely if they insist on being mini-chefs.
- Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over toys, shoes or other objects.
- Keep flammable items, like potholders and paper or plastic bags, away from the stove and oven.
- Turn pan handles toward the back of the stove to prevent accidental knock-overs.
- Have activities that keep kids out of the kitchen during this busy time. Games, puzzles or books are great options.
- Involve kids in Thanksgiving preparations with recipes that can be followed outside the kitchen.
- Make sure you have a working smoke alarm on each level of the home, including inside and outside bedrooms.
Also, keep safety in mind when using a turkey fryer because a fire can get out of hand in less than a minute.
If fried turkey is your Thanksgiving tradition, only use a fryer outside and safely away from your home – not inside your garage and not on your porch. Don’t overfill the oil in your turkey fryer, and always keep an eye on the bird when it’s cooking in the oil.
From all the dedicated men and women at College Station Fire Department who work to protect lives and property – especially on Thanksgiving Day – we hope your hearts and stomachs are full, and your holiday is safe.
Carter Hall has been a firefighter with the College Station Fire Department since 2011.
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CSFD saves two dogs in apartment fire
Firefighter Paramedics Tara Hodges and Kyle Cowden tend to one of the injured dogs as Driver Brad Ballard watches.
College Station firefighters responding to a kitchen fire Thursday night at The Gables apartments revived two dogs that were not breathing.
Firefighters were dispatched to the apartment at 401 University Oaks at 7:52 p.m. After quickly extinguishing a fire on the kitchen stove, they searched the residence and found the unconscious dogs and a kitten.
EMS personnel were able to revive both dogs, who were taken to the Texas A&M Vet School for additional treatment. Both are expected to recover, but the kitten did not survive.
— College Station Fire Department
Five things to watch at Thursday’s city council meetings
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
The College Station City Council gathers Thursday at city hall for its workshop (about 5:30 p.m.) and regular (7 p.m.) meetings. Here are five items to watch:
- Security Camera Surveillance: In the workshop, the council will discuss stronger regulations for security cameras at businesses such as convenience stores.
- Creek Meadows Lift Station: The council will consider an agreement to increase the capacity of the Creek Meadows sewage lift station to serve the recently annexed Wellborn area.
- Automatic CPR Devices: The council will consider the purchase of automatic CPR devices for the city’s EMS units to provide better patient care.
- Trash Valet & Recycling Agreement: The council will consider the first of two readings of a franchise agreement that would allow Brazos Valley Recycling to collect recyclables from commercial businesses and multi-family locations.
- Parks & Recreation User Fees: The council will consider new user fees for Parks & Recreation facilities and programs, including increases for facility rentals, cemetery spaces, and some activities.
3 ways Citizens Fire Academy will make a better you in 2016
By Christina Seidel, CSFD Public Education Officer
Let me suggest to you that being part of the College Station Citizens Fire Academy will fulfill one or more of your New Year’s resolutions.
Okay, stay with me…
Most of us have lists of resolutions that include things like living a healthier lifestyle, saving more and spending less, and simply enjoying life to the fullest — right? Our free, 12-week Citizens Fire Academy is just the thing!
Live a healthier lifestyle! (more…)
5 tips to help you safely celebrate our independence
By Christina Seidel, CSFD Public Education Officer
When Francis Scott Key wrote about “the bombs bursting in air” he probably didn’t foresee anyone getting hurt in future celebrations of our nation’s independence.
Still, what would a good, old-fashioned Independence Day celebration be without fireworks?
Since the College Station Fire Department wants safety to be everyone’s priority, here are five tips to help you celebrate safely through the dawn’s early light.
1. Note the location of fireworks stands.
New fire engine improves department’s capabilities
By Robert Mumford, Battalion Chief/CSFD Public Information Officer
The College Station Fire Department’s newest fire engine offers improved safety and visibility features, and its advanced technology enhances our ability to protect our citizens.
The $638,000 Pierce Velocity engine went into service last week at Fire Station No. 4 near Easterwood Airport. The truck carries 500 gallons of water, pumps 1,500 gallons per minute, and has a compressed air foam system for the suppression of all types of fires.
