Emergency Management Agency
ARSON AWARENESS WEEK
May 4-10, 2008
Toylike or novelty lighters have been responsible for injuries, deaths, and accidents across the Nation. Children are attracted to novelty lighters because they look like toys. Many of these lighters look like animals, miniature cars, mobile phones, cameras, fishing lures, stacks of coins, markers, and doll accessories. One lighter is nearly identical to the popular rubber ducky bath toy—it even quacks! There are also toylike and novelty lighters that look like tools such as tape measures, drills, hammers, and paint brushes. Ironically, there are even lighters that mimic a Dalmatian donning a fire helmet, a red fire truck, or fire extinguishers.
Children Killed and Injured.
Mistaking lighters for toys has proved to be deadly:
On September 25, 2007, 15-month-old Peyton Edwards and 2-year-old Breydon Edwards of Russellville, Arkansas, died after setting fire to their apartment with a motorcycle-shaped lighter.
Shane St. Pierre was in grocery store in Livermore, Maine, last June with his mother buying sandwiches. Thinking it might be a flashlight, the 6-year-old picked up a miniature baseball bat and flicked the switch. A flame shot out, singeing his eyebrow and burning part of his face. His father, Norm St. Pierre, a fire chief in nearby West Paris, became an advocate for a ban on toylike and novelty lighters. Maine passed a ban on toylike lighters on March 14, 2008.
Children are not the only ones fooled by novelty lighters. Beaverton, Michigan, resident Laura Fowler purchased a novelty lighter for her 4-year-old child after mistaking it for a toy. In 2006, a South Carolina woman shot herself in the hand while attempting to light a cigarette with what she thought was a pistol-shaped novelty lighter.
A fire marshal in Wisconsin was making a purchase at a local home improvement store when his 12-year-old daughter picked up what she believed was a tape measure. When she clicked the button on the tape measure, a flame came out. Fortunately, the child was not hurt, and the store owner voluntarily stopped selling the lighters.
In North Carolina, a 6-year-old boy sustained second-degree burns after playing with a lighter that looked like a toy cell phone. In Maryland, playground equipment was set on fire by three 5-year-old girls using a gun-shaped lighter. In Oregon, one child died and another was permanently brain damaged after a 6-year-old, playing with a lighter that looked like a toy dolphin, started a fire. In another incident, a mother was severely burned after her child, playing with a lighter that resembled a Christmas tree, ignited the mother's bed.
Toylike and Novelty Lighter Legislation
Some local and State governments are taking action by banning the sale of toylike and novelty lighters, and limiting their distribution. Maine was the first State to pass a ban on toylike and novelty lighters, passing the legislation on March 14, 2008. Tennessee also passed a ban, in April 2008. Other states considering bans are Alabama, Connecticut, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, and Vermont. In addition to state bans and restrictions on the sale of toylike and novelty lighters, numerous local jurisdictions have passed ordinances. These include more than 19 jurisdictions in Arkansas, another 6 in California, and Yakima County in Washington State.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK
May 18-24, 2008
Extraordinary People, Extraordinary Service
The theme for this week is “Your Life is Our Mission.” The statement recognizes the commitment that emergency medical personnel make to communities they serve. This dedication to their mission provides round-the-clock care to communities across our county, state and nation.
The week is an opportunity for us to honor those extraordinary people who provide emergency medical care to us. It is also a time for EMS providers to recognize their personnel and reach out to the community. The best EMS organizations keep their employees and the people they serve front and center every day of the year.
Emergency Medical Services for Children Day
On May 21, 2008, Emergency Medical Services for Children is observed. The day draws attention to the specialized need for pediatric emergency care to ensure that every child in the nation receives the highest quality emergency care possible.
Remember to take the opportunity to thank those in your community who provide us with this invaluable service.
Search & Rescue Training Opportunities
Ground Search and Rescue Class (near Princeton, IL)
May 3rd & 4th, 2008 — for details contact Anthony Marzano at 815-740-8351.
Ground Search and Rescue Class (at Crete Township Fire District)
May 6th, 8th and 10th, 2008 — for details contact Lt. Mark Swanson at 708-672-7111 ext. 203.
SAR-EX08 Search and Rescue (sponsored by Little Egypt Search and Rescue www.lesar.org, near Carbondale, IL)
May 16-17-18, 2008 — Cost is $65.00 for food and weekend lodging. K-9 and Ground Search and Rescue subject classes will be offered. For details contact Dana McGuire at 618-697-2912.
Road Construction - Getting Around Illinois
Spring also starts road construction season. Remember to take your time and follow speed limits during construction zones. To find out where construction is underway on state routes, checkout gettingaroundillinois.com.
Knowing How To Use 9-1-1 With the Phone You Own!
9-1-1 may be the most important phone number you ever dial. Today with the many types of phone service available to us – traditional phones – cordless – cell – VoIP/Internet Phones. Before you need help in an emergency, be sure to understand how the type of phone you use affects your call to 9-1-1. This brochure, “Knowing How to Use 9-1-1 with the Phone You Own!”, will tell you how.
Text Message Alert System
NOW AVAILABLE!
Will County is providing a new alerting service as a means of providing the public with emergency alert and notification information. This service works by sending a text message to your cellular phone when County officials determine that an alert should be issued.
Current alerts available are:
- Emergency Community Alerts
24 hour a day notifications (i.e. gas leaks, industrial accidents, traffic fatalities) - Emergency Weather Alerts
24 hour a day notifications (i.e. warnings, not watches) - Non-Emergency Community Alerts
Daily 7:00AM-8:00PM (i.e. waste removal, watering restriction, mosquito spraying, high pollen)
To sign up, click above on the hand-holding cell phone image, or simply click here.
Family Preparedness
See our diagram poster providing tips on "HOW TO SHUT OFF YOUR UTILITIES DURING AN EMERGENCY."
For more information on Family Preparedness, visit our Family Disaster Plan page.
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