Area Firefighters Lose Lives Fighting House Fire

When Does a Volunteer Get a Paycheck?
Part-time opportunities available with WTFD

When they serve as a volunteer firefighter or emergency medical technician with the Washington Township Fire Department, of course! Volunteers are paid for each call they work, as well as for many other special projects, details and training events. [More info]

Evenflo Child Safety Seats Recalled

Evenflo Discovery Model 3021769Z & 3021854Z (click this link to learn how to find your model number)

A small number of Evenflo Discovery Model 3021769Z and 3021854Z car seats may have shipped without complete assembly of the red release handle located on the back of the seat. Under certain conditions, this may cause the seat to separate from its base, possibly resulting in serious injury.

The affected Discovery seats were built on February 4, 2008 with model numbers 3021769Z and 3021854Z and were sold during March 11-21, 2008 at Wal-Mart and Target Stores.

Owners of Discovery Model 3021769Z or 3021854Z car seats that were manufactured on February 4, 2008 should Contact Evenflo directly at 1-800-233-5921 for a free replacement Discovery seat and base. While awaiting their replacement car seats, owners may continue to use their Discovery seats without the base.

Do you want to register your Evenflo child safety seat? Registration helps the company contact you should your seat be on a recall list. [Register]

Avon Recalls Plush Warming Polar Bears - Fire and Burn Hazard

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Cozy Warming Polar Bears
Distributor: Avon Products Inc., of New York, N.Y.
Manufacturers: Haiyan Boai Gifts Factory, and Yangzhou Honesty Arts & Crafts Co. Ltd., of China
Hazard: The warming pouch inside the bear can overheat and ignite when heated in a microwave oven, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Avon has received 41 reports of the warming polar bear overheating, including six reports of minor burns.

Description: The recalled white plush warming bear has a red hat and brown nose. It is about 17 inches long and comes with a buckwheat-filled pouch that is heated in a microwave oven and is inserted into an opening in the bear’s belly. “Avon Products” is printed on a white tag sewn onto the bear.

Sold exclusively by: Avon independent sales representatives and at www.avon.com from July 2007 through February 2008 for about $13 when sold alone, or as part of a gift set that sold for about $100.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled warming bear and return the buckwheat-filled pouch for a full refund. Avon is directly contacting consumers who purchased the warming bear.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Avon toll-free at (877) 217-0916 between 6 a.m. and midnight ET Monday through Saturday, and on Sunday between 12 p.m. and midnight ET, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.avon.com

Do You Have a Home Fire Escape Plan?
Click for more info!

NOvelty Lighters
Don't wait for a tragedy to happen

Dear Parent or Caregiver,

Do you know what a novelty lighter is? It’s one that works like any other lighter, except that it looks like a child’s toy. Your local fire department needs your help in a nationwide effort to make novelty lighters unavailable for purchase.

You can see the magnitude of the problem by visiting Ebay online and looking at the items listed under “novelty lighter.” There are literally hundreds of lighters disguised as toy animals, cell phones, key rings, balls and other colorful items that are attractive to children.

Unfortunately, Ebay is just part of a much bigger problem. Thousands of stores throughout the United States also sell novelty lighters, and this is where we need your help. Please do not purchase novelty lighters or bring them into your home. If you already have novelty lighters, please remove them. Let’s protect our children and our community from the dangers created by these unsafe products.

Looking ahead, the ultimate goal of the fire service is to make the sale and distribution of novelty lighters illegal all across the United States. Ten European countries recently banned novelty lighters, and we are working with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to do the same. With your support, we can eliminate the fires and burn injuries that result from kids playing with novelty lighters.

Sincerely,
Richard Palmer
Fire and Life Safety Educator
Washington Township Fire Department
Montgomery County, Ohio

Preparedness Tips for Families
Download checklists that can help you be ready

No one knows when or where a disaster might strike, so families need to take time to prepare for emergencies in advance. The Home Safety Council advises families to have both a “Ready-to-Stay” and a “Ready-to-Go” Kit to ensure they are prepared for emergencies that require sheltering in place as well as for events that require evacuation.

Click here to download a “Ready-to-Stay” and “Ready-to-Go” Checklist
Click here to download a “Ready-to-Stay” and “Ready-to-Go” Checklist in Spanish

Visit our kids' page for links to games and other fun activities.