Home Safety


A variety of accidents and injuries can happen at home—ranging from falls to injuries caused by hot water, household chemicals, cooking accidents, etc.

The federal government offers detailed information and suggestions about how to prevent accidents at home. Log on to the FirstGov for Consumers website at www.consumer.gov/yourhome.html for information.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission offers a handy home-safety checklist for senior citizens. Log on to www.cpsc.gov and click on “Safety Tips” to find the information.

Open Burning

Please keep in mind that it is against the law to burn yard waste, trash or other items in open fires on residential, business and public property. Violators may pay up to a $1,000 fine and spend up to six months in jail.

This prohibition includes fires in chimineas or in other commercially sold fire pits and rings.

The only exception to the open-burning law is for outdoor fires that are used exclusively for cooking purposes—to roast hot dogs or to grill hamburgers, for example.

People using outdoor cooking fires, however, have an obligation to see that these fires are properly contained, are used in a supervised manner and are completely extinguished when cooking is completed.

Heart Attack & Stroke Warning Signs

If you think you are having a heart attack or a stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Don’t delay and don’t try to drive yourself to the hospital. Our trained paramedics can get to your home in a matter of minutes and provide valuable treatment while transporting you to the hospital.

For information about the warning signs for heart attacks and strokes, log on to the American Heart Association’s website at www.americanheart.org and click on “Heart Attack/Stroke Warning Signs.”

First-Aid Training

The fire department does not provide first-aid training.

The Greater Cleveland Chapter of the American Red Cross, however, offers a variety of first-aid courses, including training for babysitters.

For information, log on to the Red Cross website at www.redcross-cleveland.org and click on “Health and Safety Services.”