Brief News Items for Your Local Newspapers

Placement Tip

Provide these news fillers to your local news editors now, so they’ll have them on hand to run when they have an unexpected opening during the summer. These help you keep your department and your priority safety messages top of mind in your community.

Customize them by filling in the blanks with your local information, add your contact information at the top and send them on to the news editor.

For more information, contact: (Your PIO’s Name and Phone Number) Summer Safety News Items

Assign a “Pool Watcher” at Your Next Pool Party

According to the nonprofit Home Safety Council, drowning is sudden and silent. Every child needs supervision around water, especially during family get togethers and parties with lots of children. The (Your Fire Department) urges (Your Town/City) residents with swimming pools to formally assign an adult to watch children at pool parties this summer. For parties with a lot of children, assign more than one adult to this job. It’s never OK to let children supervise other children around water. And remember: pool watchers must stay awake, stay sober and keep their eyes on the kids. For more pool safety tips, visit the Home Safety Council’s Web site and click on Safety Guide: www.homesafetycouncil.org.

Safe Storage of Yard and Garden Chemicals

The (Your Fire Department) is reminding residents of (Your Town/City) to check their storage of pesticides, automotive fluids, pool chemicals, and other dangerous products. According to the nonprofit Home Safety Council, more than half of all poisoning deaths occur at home and poisoning is the second leading cause of preventable home injury deaths. Make sure your yard and garden chemicals are stored in their original containers. If young children live in or visit your home, each container should have a child-resistant cap. Store dangerous chemicals and products in locked cabinets and post the National Poison Control Hotline number by telephones: 1-800-222-1222. For free home safety information, including a customized poison prevention checklist, visit www.homesafetycouncil.org.

Gasoline is a Motor Fuel Only

Gasoline is highly flammable. You cannot see its vapors, yet they spread quickly and can be ignited by even a tiny spark. The (Your Fire Department) reminds (Your Town/City) residents to use caution when using gasoline, and to follow these important safety measures:

• Gasoline is a motor fuel – any other use is reckless
• Use only an approved, tightly sealed container to store and transport gasoline
• Re-fuel mowers, chainsaws, etc. outside, only after the engine has cooled, and away from sparks and flame
• If you need to siphon gasoline, use a suction device, never siphon by mouth
• In the event of a gasoline fire, immediately move away and call the fire department emergency number

Free fire and burn prevention information is available for the public on the Home Safety Council Web site: www.homesafetycouncil.org.