VIDEO: Maui kicks of Fire Prevention Week with two public demonstrations planned
By Wendy Osher
A proclamation was signed by Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares this morning, kicking off Fire Prevention Week in Maui County.
“I try to do everything I can to get you the tools that you need in order to keep our community safe. That’s my number one job,” Tavares said in her address to Fire Department personnel. “The core function of the County of Maui is public safety,” she said.
[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw_nMmcBRiU /] This year’s theme for the annual fire prevention week observation is “Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!” It is a call to all, to once again install, test and maintain smoke alarms and detectors in homes because of their effectiveness in providing an early warning in residential fires.
“Working smoke alarms are a first line of defense against fires, and all citizens are encouraged to install smoke alarms in their homes and to test them regularly to ensure they are working properly,” said Tavares.
As part of the fire prevention observance, the Maui Fire Department will host two demonstrations for school children and the public that will include equipment displays, firefighting, JAWS of life and ladder demonstrations, as well as education on fire prevention tips. The demos are planned on Thursday October 14th at Keopuolani Park in Wailuku, and Friday October 22nd at the Lahaina Recreation Field in West Maui.
- Wailuku’s Demonstration – Thursday Oct 14 – 9:30-11:30 a.m. – Keopuolani Park, Horseshoe Pit field
- Lahaina Demo – Friday Oct 22 – 9:30-11:30 a.m. – Lahaina Recreation Field
Below are some helpful Fire Prevention tips from the Maui Fire Prevention Bureau:
1. In an Emergency call 911
2. Don’t play with matches
3. Smoke alarms/check /replace batteries
4. Stop, Drop & Roll
5. Plan & Practice your escape plan
6. Make sure to include a family meeting place outside and away
7. Know two ways out of each room
8. Know what to do if the smoke alarm sounds, Stay Low & Go!
9. Feel the door with the back of your hand
10. Open the door a crack to check exit before opening
11. Stay low, below the smoke
12. Meet your family at the families meeting place
13. Get out/Stay out – Don’t go back in for anything
*** If you enjoyed this post, you may also like our story on the August 7, 2010 Mac Nut Fire on Maui.