INFORMATION STATEMENT

The City of South Beloit Fire Department prides ourselves on making sure we protect the citizens of South Beloit and our members the best we can. Due to the recent Coronavirus (COVID-19) threats, we will be limiting the visitors that come to the fire station. We are limiting it to visitors on official business with the department. If you do come to the fire station we may ask you to wait outside while we talk with you. We also ask for you to use the door located on the southwest side of the building (right across from the entrance to Everett’s Liquor). We ask that you call the fire station, with any questions that could be handled over the phone (815-389-3097). If you do come to the fire station, you will have to sign a visitor’s log sheet. We want to assure the citizens of South Beloit that this will not affect our emergency or non-emergency response if you need us. We are still as dedicated to the citizens of this community. We are taking the extra pre-cautions on medical calls to protect our members and the patient. The fire department is receiving daily updates from Illinois Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease and Prevention, Winnebago County Health Department, & our Resource Hospital. For more information on the Coronavirus you can find them on the websites for the organizations listed above and at the following:

CDC COVID 19 Information

Illinois Department of Public Health COVID 19 Information

Chief Michael Davenport

THE SPRING OPENING BURNING WILL OPEN AGAIN ON SATURDAY, MAY 30TH UNTIL SUNDAY, JUNE 14TH.

SEE BELOW

Spring Fire Safety Tips

The spring season is coming up soon, our thoughts are turning to the lengthy to-do lists we’ve made of spring cleaning and repair projects we have yet to tackle. But as we’re pulling out the mop bucket, sponges, screw drivers and hammers, let’s also carve out time to address home safety.

Smoke Alarms -Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button. Make sure everyone in the home understands the sound of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning to keep smoke alarms working. The instructions are included in the package or can be found on the internet. 

Replace any smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old. 

Carbon Monoxide Alarms - Test carbon monoxide (CO) alarms at least once a month and replace them if they fail to respond when tested. The sensors in CO alarms have a limited life. Replace the CO alarm according to manufacturer’s instructions or when the end-of-life signal sounds. 

Most Carbon Monoxide detectors are good for 5-7 years and should be replaced after that time frame. Typically, the units have a tag or date stamp on the back to indicate it's age or expiration date.

Escape Planning - Make a home escape plan. Draw a map of each level of the home. Show all doors and windows. Discuss the plan with everyone in your household, including visitors. Go to each room and point to the two ways out. Practice the plan with everyone in your household, including visitors.

Clothes Dryer Safety - Make sure you clean the lint filter before or after each load of laundry. Remove lint that has collected around the drum. Keep dryers in good working order. Gas dryers should be inspected by a qualified professional to make sure that the gas line and connection are intact and free of leaks.

Grilling Safety Tips

When the warmer weather hits, there’s nothing better than the smell of food on the grill.

Seven out of every 10 adults in the U.S. have a grill or smoker*, which translates to a lot of tasty meals. But it also means there’s an increased risk of home fires.

In 2013-2017, fire departments went to an annual average of 10,200 home fires involving grills, hibachis or barbecues per year, including 4,500 structure fires and 5,700 outside or unclassified fires. These fires caused an annual average of 10 civilian deaths, 160 civilian injuries and $123 million in direct property damage.

This grilling season, NFPA tests your knowledge and demonstrates the proper way to use your grill safely to prevent fires.

Guy Colonna, NFPA Division Manager, Industrial ＆ Chemical Engineering, gives some basic tips on how to prepare your grill before your first cookout of the season.

Grilling fire facts

• July is the peak month for grill fires (17%), including both structure, outdoor or unclassified fires, followed by June (14%), May (13%) and August (12%).

• In 2013-2017, an average of 19,000 patients per year went to emergency rooms because of injuries involving grills.** Half (9,300 or 49%) of the injuries were thermal burns, including both burns from fire and from contact with hot objects; 5,200 thermal burns, per year,were caused by such contact or other non-fire events.

• Children under five accounted for an average of 2,000 or 38%, of the contact-type burns per year. These burns typically occurred when someone, often a child, bumped into, touched or fell on the grill, grill part or hot coals.

• Gas grills were involved in an average of 8,700 home fires per year, including 3,600 structure fires and 5,100 outdoor fires annually. Leaks or breaks were primarily a problem with gas grills. Eleven percent of gas grill structure fires and 23% of outside gas grill fires were caused by leaks or breaks.

• Charcoal or other solid-fueled grills were involved in 1,100 home fires per year, including 600 structure fires and 500 outside fires annually.

NFPA has more safety tips that can help you through your spring cleaning tasks and safety checks. Once you’re done, you’ll have the satisfaction of a tidier home, and you’ll also feel safer.