At our Annual Meeting on June 6, representatives from the Volunteer Fire Department, Mt. Holly substation, gave an informative presentation.  Below is a list of their suggested do’s and don’ts regarding fire safety and first aid.

 Fire Safety and First Aid Tips

Fire

• Do have an evacuation plan with at least two ways out of your house.
• Do have a designated outside rally point.
• Do have smoke detectors on every floor; check and monitor them.
• Do keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and hallway.
• Do replace frayed electrical cords.
• Do crawl low to the floor in smoke filled areas; the air is cleaner there.
• Do remember stop, drop, and roll.
• Do unplug heaters when not in use.
• Do store flammables in a well ventilated area.
• Do have your house numbers clearly visible; put them on both sides of your mailbox.
• Do call 911, but make sure you are talking to Westmoreland County and not Maryland. In addition to your street address, say what your area is, i.e. Glebe Harbor or Cabin Point.
• Don’t leave open flames (candles, stove, incense, grills) unattended.
• Don’t block your home’s fire exit with furniture or other heavy items.
• Don’t put water on electrical fires.
• Don’t overload power strips or use an extension cord, the power strip, and another extension cord.

Fire Extinguishers

Remember PASS

• P – pull the pin
• A – aim
• S – squeeze handle
• S – spray back and forth

First Aid

• Do call for help
• Do assess the scene. Is it safe for you to help; i.e. is there a downed power line?
• Do CPR and/or basic care to aid with bleeding or choking.
• Do roll the patient on his/her side unless a head, neck, or spinal cord injury is suspected.
• Don’t offer anything to eat or drink.
• Don’t remove a penetrating object; leave it in place.
• Don’t put the head back to try and stop a nosebleed. Lean forward and pinch the bridge of the nose instead.
• Don’t put butter on burns. Use cool water only.

Posted 06.19.26