Home Safety

In the heart of winter many people start using their fireplace for additional heat. There is nothing better than a warm fire to sit by on a cold winter night.

But before you use that fireplace you may want to have it cleaned and checked by a certified chimney sweep. By doing so you can avoid a chimney fire that could put a damper on that relaxing moment by the warm fire.

Recent statistics show that there are about 25,000 chimney fire in the U.S. each year. These fires result in nearly 125 million dollars of property damage. Most if not all of these fires could be prevented.

Creosote build up in chimneys or flue pipes is the most common cause of chimney fires. In addition a damaged or broken chimney can result in fires as well. Regular cleaning and inspection of the chimney can prevent these fires.

Creosote builds up when the temperature of the chimney falls below 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Creosote is a black sticky substance that will stick to the sides of the chimney. Then later, when the conditions are just right, creosote will ignite creating a hot fire within the lining of the chimney.

Signs of a chimney fire:

1. Unusual hot smell around the fireplace or stove.
2. Loud crackling sound.
3. Dense smoke coming from chimney.
4. Loud roaring sound coming from the fireplace.

If you notice any of these signs you should evacuate the home and call the fire department immediately. 

Preventing chimney fires can be as simple as having the chimney cleaned and inspected annually. If you use your fireplace on a frequent basis you may want to consider having it cleaned more often.

A fireplace can create a warm relaxing atmosphere in your home. But if it is not maintained properly it can result in a major tragedy for your family.

Be on guard, keep awake.

Mark 13:33

A 79 year old man, who lived alone, was watching TV in his living room. He heard glass breaking in the kitchen and went to investigate. As he entered the kitchen two teens, wearing masks, jumped him and started beating him. After being knocked unconscious for a short period of time he regained his senses.

The two home invaders were now ransacking the home looking for money. They continued to search the home while breaking lamps, pictures and some furniture items.

The homeowner, still in the kitchen, retrieved a handgun he kept hidden there. When the two teens saw he was conscious they ran towards him to most likely finish what they had started. The home owner fired his gun killing one of the teens instantly. The other teen quickly ran from the home and was arrested by police a short time later.

The elderly gentleman was transported to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries and then released. When interviewed by police officers, the man stated he feared for his life and used his gun to protect himself. No charges were filed against the homeowner because the shooting was deemed self defense.

My question to those anti-gun advocates, what would have happened to this elderly man if he had not been able to defend himself with a gun? He experienced a terrible beating and it appears the teens were intent on creating more havoc and perhaps murder.

Here is an innocent individual in his own home when intruders broke in and started beating him. What would you do in a situation like this? Here are some suggestions. 

1. First understand the police cannot be everywhere at the same time. It is important to take responsibility for your own safety.
2. Consider taking a firearms course and obtaining your CCW. A CCW course is not adequate to teach you the skills needed to protect yourself. Additional gun courses are needed.
3. Check out a self defense course that teaches you ways to protect yourself when confronted be an evil person.
4. Consider placing video cameras around your property. High quality cameras can be purchased at a reasonable cost.
5. Motion detector lights can surprise evil people wanting to do bad things. In many cases it can scare the bad guys away.
6. You may want to beef up your door locks to make it harder for someone to break in.
7. Keep your situational awareness up at all time.

These are just a few suggestions that could make you safer in your home. The police do a fabulous job, but they may not be near by with your life is threatened. Take responsibility for your own personal defense.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21

It is a warm summer day and several families have gathered for a cookout. The kids are all playing corn hole and other games. A two year old was exploring the back yard where an above ground pool is located. It is amazing how quick a little one can wander away. Then the nightmare for parents happens.

“Medic 1 respond to 5292 Oakwood Place, report of a 2 year old possible drowning. Time out 1433.” When a call comes in involving a small child it always makes the adrenaline raise a little higher. As we respond to the scene I start reviewing the medication doses for pediatrics. The four minute response time feels like an hour.

On arrival we find a two year old female who was found on the bottom of the pool. A nurse attending the cookout pulled the little one out of the water and began CPR. The child was unresponsive and had a pulse but was not breathing.

The patient was placed in the medic unit and the airway was suctioned. Moderate amounts of water was obtained but the patient still was not breathing. Next a tube was placed in the airway so we could ventilate the patient. At the same time a needle was drilled into the patients leg. This provides access to the patients circulatory system in case we need to administer medications. The patient is now stabilized and is transported to Children’s Medical Center. The patient had a full recovery.

This call was a success because someone started CPR immediately. It is imperative that people learn CPR. It is a skill that you may never use. But, if needed it could save a life.

The World Health Organization report that 372,000 people drowned in 2012. So is there anything that can be done to prevent drownings? Here are a few suggestions if you have small children around a swimming pool.

1. Consider purchasing a pool alarm which sounds if someone would fall in the water.
2. If the pool is fenced in a gate alarm can alert you if anyone enters the gate.
3. Take your toddlers to a Toddler Swimming Class.
4. If you have a removable ladder, remove it when the pool is not in use.
5. Supervise toddlers at all time when outside.
6. Take a CPR Class.

These are just a few examples of things that can be done to prevent drowning in home pools. Summertime is a season for outdoor fun and but it’s important to always keep safety in mind.

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Collosian 3:20

It was a foggy evening in late summer when the alert tones sounded in the station. “Medic 1 and Medic 2 stage in the 3000 block of Oakland Place. Law Enforcement  en-route to a shooting with multiple victims. Stage until officers arrive on scene”. Time out 2147.

One Patient Was Dead At The Scene

On our arrival we found one victim slumped over the railing of the front porch. The deputy on scene asked if I would check the victim to see if he was still alive. My evaluation found one bullet wound to the center of the chest. Very little blood was noted which indicates he did not live very long after being shot.

Second Patient Had Multiple Gunshot Wounds

Next, I proceeded into the home and found the second victim lying in the hallway. He had multiple gun shot wounds but was conscious. In all he had nine bullet wounds. He was bleeding heavily and had a sucking chest wound (air entering and exiting the chest through the wound). The wound was sealed with a non-porous dressing and his breathing became easier. 

Several wounds on the arm were bandaged and bleeding was controlled. One bullet wound to his abdomen was found. A thick dressing was applied with pressure to control bleeding. Another bullet wound was found in the lower back near the spine. A dressing was applied and a neurological exam performed. It revealed partial paralysis of the lower extremities. Two IV’s were established to help prevent shock from blood loss.

Helicopter Transport Not Possible

This patient was then placed on a backboard and moved to the medic unit. Normally this patient would have been transported by a medical helicopter but due to the fog they were unable to fly. 

During transport the patient was re-evaluated for additional injuries and bleeding. No significant changes were noted. At the hospital the patient was placed in a trauma room for treatment and later transferred to a Level 1 trauma center. 

The third patient was found to have very minor injuries and was not transported to the hospital.

So What Happened?

The dead victim was one of two young men who invaded the home of a young couple. They were looking for drugs and invaded the wrong house, in more ways than one. 

As the intruders entered home the resident, a 20 year old young man, started fighting with the intruder. His 19 year old wife ran to get a handgun from the bedroom. When she returned she shot the first home invader in the chest. He staggered out the door and died as he was slumped over the porch railing. She then shot the second intruder several times, stopping any further aggression against the home owners. 

No charges were filed against the homeowners. The property was searched for drugs but none were found.

Several things to consider in this incident. First, this could have been your home. Second, what would have been the end result if the young lady did not have gun. Third, the young lady was taught how to shoot by her father at age 12. The bad guys were stopped by a prepared young lady with a gun.

If a thief is caught breaking in at night and is struck a fatal blow, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed;

Exodus 22:2