Boys & Girls Clubs’ Observes Safety Month

REDLANDS>> The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside marked Fire Prevention Week with a visit from firefighters and had the opportunity to learn safety drills. Club members learned about fire and earthquake safety and participated in drills for both scenarios in honor of Fire Prevention Week Oct. 9-15. “Safety is our first priority, so we’re taking advantage of Fire Prevention Week to educate our members and make sure they know what to do in case of an emergency,” said Mark Davis, Vice President of the club. On Oct. 13, members of the Redlands Fire Department brought a truck to the Redlands clubhouse. Firefighters showed club members the various features of the truck, how they put on gear and told them what to do if someone gets hurt or if there is a fire. The theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week is “Don’t Wait – Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years.” The theme represents the final year of National Fire Prevention Association's three-year effort to educate the public about basic but essential elements of smoke alarm safety. NFPA’s survey data shows that the public has many misconceptions about smoke alarms, which may put them at increased risk in the event of a home fire. For example, NFPA states only a small percentage of people know how old their smoke alarms are, or how often they need to be replaced. As a result of those and related findings, NFPA encourages residents to know smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years, make sure you know how old all the smoke alarms are in your home and to find out how old a smoke alarm is, look at the date of manufacture on the back of the alarm; the alarm should be replaced 10 years from that date.