December 28, 2011 –

“Recent fire deaths during this holiday season are tragic reminders that we are at the time of year when home fires peak,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of communications for NFPA. “Taking simple steps to prevent fires and making sure you have working smoke alarms can save lives.”

NFPA suggested ten things you can do this winter to stay safe from fire

• All heaters need space.  Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
• Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel-burning space heaters.
• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container with a lid. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
• Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside each bedroom and outside each sleeping area.
• Develop and practice a home escape plan that includes two ways out of each room and an outside meeting place.

About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.

On Sunday, August 14, Five brave Highview firefighters battled the Scotts Firefighter Combat Challenge in Lexington, Kentucky. Lieutenant Aaron Nilsson, Sergeant Mike Clan, Lieutenant Derrick Colberg, Sergeant Nate Ingersoll and Firefighter Josh Spencer all competed in the challenge. They finished with a time of 1:53.17, qualifying them for the World Finals in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in November. This is especially satisfying because this is the first year that Highview has competed in the Firefighter Combat Challenge. Representative Larry Clark also showed his support by giving the team citations of honor.

The finals finally came in November and Highview’s team pulled through once again. They battled for a time of 1:43.00, their best time yet qualifying them to compete in the 64 team bracket. Congratulations go to the Highview Combat team members, thanks to all the family, friends, firefighters and sponsors who have supported them.

Representative Larry Clark and the HFD Combat Team

The Highview Fire District, a huge contributer for the Crusade for Children, will be collecting donations May 30-June 4. We will be stopping by your homes and ringing your doorbells and we will be at the intersection of Outer Loop and Shepherdsville Road for most of the day. We plan on making it a great time for everyone, and making it especially easy to give. The Crusade for Children needs your support, every penny counts. Please check our events calendar on our homepage for specific dates and times.