We deal with loud environments often: concerts, construction sites, etc. It can be physically painful if the ambient noise is loud enough. Because of this, it makes sense that many people avoid such settings in an attempt to avoid hearing problems in the future. 

If this is true, then why are fire alarms so loud? 

Fire alarms are LOUD

NFPA 72 outlines the requirements for fire alarm notification appliances, which take two primary forms: audible and visible.

• Horns and sirens provide the audible alert, sounding off at 65 to 120 decibels (dB) when standing 10 feet from the device.
• Strobe lights provide the visible alert, flashing once per second at 15 to 1,000 candelas, depending on the setting.

It’s well known that repeated exposure to loud noises can be damaging to your hearing. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) states that 85 dB and higher is the danger zone for hearing loss.

Here are some comparative noise examples to help you understand the loudness of different decibels:

• Indoor conversation: 50 dB
• Chatter in a restaurant: 60 dB
• Vacuum cleaner: 70 dB
• Garbage disposal or food blender: 80 to 90 dB
• Power lawn mower or motorcycle engine: 100 dB
• Thunderclap: 120 dB
• Jet take-off from 25 meters away: 150 dB (eardrums may rupture if exposed to this volume without ear protection)

So… Why are some fire alarms louder than others?

The goal of a fire alarm is to make sure everyone in the building knows to evacuate. That’s why the NFPA requires fire alarm horns and sirens to sound louder than ambient noises.

The precise requirement is 15 dB above the average noise level or 5 dB above the maximum ambient sound, whichever is greater. This means it may be appropriate to program fire alarm horns to 75 dB for a restaurant or office setting, but an industrial facility with loud equipment may need to sound off closer to the maximum 120 dB level to ensure the sound stands out from other ambient noises.

The high volume requirement for fire alarms accounts for the fact that distance from the horn decreases its perceived volume, and building materials absorb noise, especially if the doors are closed between rooms. Due to these factors, the decibel level must be high at the source to ensure the sound travels to every corner of the building.

Can I protect my ears from the noise of a fire alarm?

When you hear the shrill noise of a fire alarm, your first instinct is to cover your ears. This is actually an effective way to defend against hearing loss while you walk calmly toward the exit and make your way out of the building.

More importantly, however, is to create a fire evacuation plan and hold fire drills regularly. This way, everyone is confident about what steps to take and where to evacuate in case of an emergency. By planning ahead, you can limit confusion and reduce the time you’re exposed to loud volumes.

Not enough cord for your lamp or radio to reach the nearest outlet? Just plowing through the junk drawer for an extension cord? This may not be a good idea. Extension cords can be very helpful in delivering power right where we need it. However, regardless of the gauge or rating of the cord, an extension cord is a temporary solution and is not meant to be used as a long-term extension of your household’s electrical system.

Read more and get safety tips on the Electrical Safety Foundation International’s website.

Deputy Dominique Calata was shot during a SWAT operation on March 15. He died March 16.

Click here to read the complete article on King5 News’ website.

Discussing fire safety with your kids is important, but sometimes fun activities help them to remember what was discussed. We told you about the Smokey the Bear site for kids before, but we wanted to highlight some of the activities on the site. 

The first one is their Story Maker. Much like Mad Libs, this tool allows your child to fill in each blank with a word or two. After clicking “Create Story,” they can read the story they created. 

The other fun activity on the site is a coloring page designer. This tool lets kids choose a border and then one of several designs that they can print and then color. 

Originally posted on Nisqually Valley News’ website.

One person was found dead in the early morning hours of Friday, Feb. 25 after a fire destroyed a residence near the city of Rainier, according to the Southeast Thurston Fire Authority.

The person who died was described only as an “adult” in a news release, stated The Olympian.

At about 4:50 a.m. on Feb. 25, fire crews responded to the blaze in the area of Jonas Hill Road, located outside Rainier, according to The Olympian.

Crews arrived to find the fire underway, stated The Olympian, which included flames that were visible through the center of the roof. The intensity of the fire and damage to the structure prevented crews from accessing the main fire area, according to The Olympian.

That’s the same area where the resident was found dead.

East Olympia Fire District 6, South Thurston Fire & EMS and Thurston County Fire District 17 also were dispatched to assist SE Thurston Fire.

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office also was on scene, according to The Olympian.

We all know that working smoke alarms can mean the difference between a safe exit and potential harm in an emergency. However, typical smoke alarms don’t always protect anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing. If they can’t hear the alarm or people yelling for them to evacuate, how can they stay safe? Here are some options to keep in mind:

Strobe Lights

One option is to install a fire alarm that has a strobe light system. The flashing lights are there to help keep the deaf and hard of hearing safe. As with traditional smoke alarms, the lights on these systems should be tested on a regular basis to ensure continued safety.

Vibrations

Another suggestion is using a device that notifies the person via vibrations. This can include vibrators for pillows, a shaker for the bed, or something the person can wear throughout their day. The device activates to the sound of a traditional fire alarm. The person may not be able to hear the fire alarm, but the device can and then sends an alert via vibrations to alert that person.

Mixed Pitch

Another example is to have a mixed pitch alarm installed. This option is good for people with hearing loss or who might be heavier sleepers. Basically, the alarm makes a lower-pitched sound, with mixed tones at 520 Hz. This sound can be heard by a wider portion of the population and, importantly, can wake you from a deep sleep so you can get to safety.

We all know that safety is important and that having safety and escape plans in case of a fire are crucial. Do these plans include your fur babies? They should! Our safety plans should include our pets, as they depend on us for so much. 

Just like preventive measures are important with children (making sure that candles, lighters, etc. are out of their reach), we should make sure that we put measures in place to prevent our pets from getting into dangerous situations. Here are what some of these measures can look like:

• Monitor Open Flames – Candles and other open flames can be dangerous. It only takes seconds for a curious (or clumsy) animal to knock a candle over. Fireplaces should also have safety gates in place. These measures can keep animals from being seriously hurt, as well as prevent the possibility of a fire.
• Secure Your Wires – Loose wires are normally nothing too alarming. Whether it’s the wires connected to appliances or wires for device chargers, make sure that they are as well hidden and/or secured as possible. Pets, especially when young, like to chew on everything, which can make these wires dangerous fire and safety hazards.
• Water and Electricity Don’t Mix – This one seems like common sense, but many people may not consider it when placing their pet’s water bowl. Many pets are messy drinkers. Some dogs can dribble water from their mouths (especially breeds that tend to drool) and cats and young animals will sometimes play in their water bowls. Make sure that any water that spills from their bowl can’t go toward any electrical outlets.
• Pet Signs – There are signs and window clings available to purchase that will inform any emergency responders that your home has pets. These signs can save them time when responding to a call, especially if you’re not home to let them know, yourself. These signs could also save your pet’s life in the event of a house fire.
• Microchip and Tag – Make sure your pet is microchipped and that they have a tag on their collar with your address and phone number on it. A fire can be a scary thing, especially for your pets. When afraid, they will most likely flee the flames, which could result in them getting lost. Make sure that, if someone finds your furry friend, they can contact you to reunite you and your pet.

Obviously, this is not an exhaustive list. These items will, however, help you to keep your home and family safe, including the furry members of the family.

We all use certain items regularly. Most of them will never present a problem, there are some that we should all use with a little extra caution. Here are some everyday items that are, or could be, highly flammable:

• Rubbing Alcohol – Rubbing alcohol is one of the most flammable items in people’s homes. It is used for many things around the house, but most people are not aware that it is flammable. The best way to prevent a fire involving rubbing alcohol is to keep it away from any open flames, and to make sure it isn’t near high heat or other flammable items.
• Aerosols – Aerosols are fairly common in our lives. They can be found in our homes, workplaces, and other public spaces in the form of air fresheners, deodorants, spray paints, etc. Make sure you use aerosols away from open flames and away from anything flammable. Aerosols can also combust when in high-temperature areas due to a combination of pressure and temperature.
• Mattresses – Ah, the place of rest. A mattress can easily catch fire, though. On average, they are linked to around 10,000 home fires per year, mostly due to candles burning beside the bed or smoking while in bed. Be aware of your surroundings and keep flammable items away from your bed to prevent a fire.
• Nail Polish – Have you ever noticed that most nail polishes and nail polish removers have a really strong smell? Most likely, that’s from acetone, one of the main ingredients in both. Since they’re on this list, you guessed it, they’re highly flammable.  Acetone is like rubbing alcohol: keep away from open flames and other flammable items.
• Dryer Lint – Clean. Out. Your. Lint. Trap. Dryer lint can easily cause a fire, but such a fire is easily preventable. Cleaning the lint trap after every use of your dryer can help you avoid a major problem. The build up of this lint can cause the dryer to overheat, which would block the ducts and could result in a fire. A professional cleaning every couple of years is a good idea, as well.
• Cooking Oil – A dangerous part of the house? The kitchen. Outside of any other dangers (such as sharp objects and hot stoves), items as simple as cooking oil can cause problems. These oils are very flammable when overheated, which can result in large, severe fires. Don’t set your temperature too high when using something like a deep fryer and always have a fire extinguisher nearby (and make sure you know how to use it in an emergency). You should also never leave either the cooking oil OR any cooking food unattended.

Practicing fire safety plans and other drills are an important part of remaining safe. We should all take a few steps of caution when dealing with objects that can catch fire fast, as well, though. Part of that caution is simply knowing what you’re handling and the best ways to stay safe while using those items.

Originally posted on the Nisqually Valley News website.

The Southeast Thurston Fire Authority needs to purchase a new ambulance, and has sought help from the state treasurer’s Local Option Capital Asset Lending (LOCAL) Program to find financing options for the purchase.

The LOCAL Program helps districts across the state find financing for a variety of projects. Currently, eight municipalities across Washington, two state agencies, and three colleges are set to use the program to finance new equipment, emergency vehicles and building upgrades in partnership with the Office of the State Treasurer, according to a news release.

Southeast Thurston Fire Chief Mark King said the ambulance purchase would not have been possible without the partnership.

“If it wasn’t for the LOCAL Program, more than likely we’d have to delay this purchase for possibly as long as two years,” King said. “We tend to run our service vehicles up to the 200,000-plus mile range. The ambulance that we’re replacing is over 18 years old and has more than 200,000 miles on it, so this purchase will go a long way to helping us reliably cover the communities we serve.”

This is the first time the fire authority has enrolled in the LOCAL Program. Southeast Thurston Fire Authority provides first response fire and emergency services, as well as hospital transport, to areas covering 129 square miles, which includes the cities of Yelm and Rainier.

LOCAL Program partners gain access to low financing rates, see a reduction of future interest costs and allow more taxpayer dollars to be kept in local communities, the release stated.

The program is supported by the sale of what are called “certificates of participation,” which occurs three times a year.

“My office is always looking to take advantage of our strong credit and low-interest rate environment to create savings for the people of Washington, especially locally, so communities can save their tax dollars for other local needs,” said State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti. “As always, we are grateful to partner with community leaders in every corner of Washington to help finance important construction projects and equipment upgrades that keep all of Washington moving forward.”

Three colleges have also partnered with the treasurer’s lending program. They are earmarked for the LOCAL Program through the State Lease Purchase Program, a financing option that is geared toward community and technical colleges, universities and state agencies.

Grays Harbor College (GHC) will soon secure $3.2 million through the program to help finance the construction of the institution’s new student services and instructional building, which will house the offices of student services, among other programs.

GHC President Ed Brewster said he’s looking ahead at what the building will mean for students.

“This is a long-time plan coming to realization,” said Brewster. “Grays Harbor will be able to provide better access to essential services and connect students with the type of resources that lead to successful educational outcomes in addition to providing more space for developing programs.”

Young children are an important audience for fire safety. According to the US Fire Administration website, more than half of child fire deaths are among children aged 4 or younger.  Sometimes it can be a challenge to discuss something this serious with young children, but you shouldn’t give up! There are a ton of resources you can use to explain the seriousness of fire safety to young ones. 

One such resource we’d like to share with you comes from the US Fire Administration’s website. The USFA teamed up with Sesame Workshop to update their fire safety program for preschool children. You can check out the USFA’s site here to see the information available. 

Stay safe out there!