7th Annual Family Fire Safety Day - Oct. 30th, 2010 - Michigan:

OCTOBER 20, 2010 - Fire Safety expert Michael McLeieer, President & Founder of E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc. announced that they will hold the 7th Annual Family Fire Safety Days event on Saturday October 30th at Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse – PORTAGE from 10am – 3pm.

This free event will coincide with the semi-annual “Change your Clocks, Change your Batteries” campaign promoted throughout the country the first weekend in November when the clocks are turned back, in observation of Eastern Standard Time.

Families are invited to bring their kids and enjoy the various activities going on throughout each day. There will be free smoke alarms and 9-volt batteries available upon request, “while supplies last”.

The E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety Trailer will also be on site each day to teach children and adults safe ways to escape from deadly smoke or a fire. The trailer actually fills with a non toxic theatrical fog which looks like smoke. Participants are also taught about the importance of having working smoke alarms and practicing their home escape plan including having a meeting place once outside their home. After going through the E.S.C.A.P.E. trailer, children will be given the new E.S.C.A.P.E. coloring book, made possible by a grant received from the Department of Homeland Security under the Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program and announced by Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph). This coloring book highlights the importance of fire safety and is printed in both English and Spanish.

In addition to the E.S.C.A.P.E. Trailer, Storm Team 8 Meteorologist Bill Steffen, the Face of 4 Jordan Carson, and talent from 106.5, WKZO and The Touch AM / FM will also be on site to greet visitors and help distribute the smoke alarms and batteries on Saturday, October 30th from 10am – Noon.

“Fire prevention is critical, especially when it comes to teaching our children the dangers associated with fire,” said McLeieer. “This event will greatly help us to get the word out on fire prevention, and convey to both children and adults the importance of fire prevention including the importance of having working smoke alarms on every level of the home, developing a home escape plan and making sure the escape plan is practiced at least twice a year.”

McLeieer is a certified firefighter, adjunct instructor for the National Fire Academy, Training Coordinator for the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy and public fire and life safety educator.

E.S.C.A.P.E. stands for Education Showing Children and Adults Procedures for Evacuations. It is a non-profit community agency that works full time to educate children and families about fire prevention and safety, as well as CPR and First Aid. 

FREE Smoke Alarm Installations within the Town of Merrimac, Massachusetts:

OCTOBER 24, 2005 - Fire Safety expert Michael McLeieer, President & Founder of E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc. announced that they are working with the Merrimac Council on Aging, the Merrimac Lions Club, the Merrimac Fire Department and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to provide and install smoke alarms free of charge, to households within the Town of Merrimac.

Trained volunteers will install and test the smoke alarms as well as complete the related documentation and will work under direct supervision of a Merrimac Fire Department representative. Fire Safety literature will also be distributed to each household that participates in this free program.

To schedule your installation, please contact our office at 978-346-4731, ext. 1.

December 17th, 2005 - Michigan:
E.S.C.A.P.E. was proud to participate with our community partners WOOD TV8 and WOTV 4 in this year's Salvation Army Angel Tree party in Kalamazoo.  Together we distributed free smoke alarms to the adults and free reading materials including the 2005 edition of the E.S.C.A.P.E. coloring book to the children.  Over 200 children received Christmas presents at the annual Angel Tree Distribution party.  The Salvation Army pre-selected families that qualified for holiday assistance and arranged this party just for them in hopes of helping make the holiday season a little brighter.  This was a fun afternoon of free food, presents from Santa, the chance to play games and enjoy fellowship with others.  WOTV 4's Maranda, Storm Team 8 Meteorologist Bill Steffen, and Michael McLeieer President and Founder of E.S.C.A.P.E. were on hand to greet everyone who attended.

Below are some pictures from the Kalamazoo Angel Tree party held at the Community Action Center (old Kalamazoo Central High School).

The Old Country Buffet Bee entertained the children.

Maranda is preparing to distribute the free smoke alarms and greet the guests.

Maranda and Santa pose for a picture.

Bill Steffen talks with Santa at the Kalamazoo Angel Tree party.

Maranda is directing the children and parents to all of the free activities including the free smoke alarms and candy, provided by E.S.C.A.P.E.

An excited child gives the Old Country Buffet Bee a BIG hug.

This excited child shows Bill Steffen her new Christmas present, which is the game Candyland.

There were fun games for the children to play during the Angel Tree party.  A parent in the background is holding the 2005 edition of the E.S.C.A.P.E. coloring book.

Bill Steffen, Santa and Maranda pose along with some very happy and excited children for the Christmas presents they received thanks to the generosity of West Michigan.

December 10th, 2005 - Michigan:
E.S.C.A.P.E. was proud to participate with our community partners WOOD TV8 and WOTV 4 in this year's Salvation Army Angel Tree party in Battle Creek.  Together we distributed free smoke alarms to the adults and free reading materials including the 2005 edition of the E.S.C.A.P.E. coloring book to the children.  Hundreds of children received Christmas presents at the annual Angel Tree Distribution party.  The Salvation Army pre-selected families that qualified for holiday assistance and arranged this party just for them in hopes of helping make the holiday season a little brighter.  This was a fun afternoon of free food, presents from Santa, the chance to play games and enjoy fellowship with others.  WOTV 4's Gerry Barnaby, WOOD TV 8 / WOTV 4 Communications Director Eva Aguirre Cooper, WOOD TV 8 President and General Manager Diane Kniowski, and Michael McLeieer President & Founder of E.S.C.A.P.E. were all on hand to greet the guests.

Below are some pictures from the Battle Creek Angel Tree party held in the Student Center of Kellogg Community College.

Diane Kniowski and Gerry Barnaby are ready to greet the children and adults and distribute the free smoke alarms, replacement batteries and other items of interest as the children wait in line to meet Santa and receive their free Christmas presents.

Free food and fun at the Battle Creek Angel Tree party.

October 29th & 30th, 2005 - Michigan:
Nearly 70% of home fire deaths happen in homes with no working smoke alarms.  This was the weekend to make sure your smoke detectors are working…and to take steps to keep your family safe.

One way to learn more was to attend the 2nd Annual E.S.C.A.P.E. Family Fire Safety Days this weekend.  Free smoke detectors and batteries were given to those who needed them while supplies lasted.  We distributed over 550 free smoke alarms and over 300 Energizer Batteries.

Another way to be prepared when fire happens is to have an escape plan for your family and to practice it.  The E.S.C.A.P.E. fire and smoke demonstration trailer was set up during safety days so that you and your children could learn how to escape a fire in your home.

The Family Fire Safety Days happened Saturday and Sunday, October 29th and 30th from 10am-4pm at Lowe’s Home Improvement in Portage.  Hundreds of families came on out and learned tips to stay safe!

Storm Team 8 Meteorologist Bill Steffen was on hand to greet everyone who attended.

Below are some photos from this important fire and life safety event.

You are never too young or too old to learn about Fire & Life Safety from E.S.C.A.P.E.

Storm Team 8 Meteorologist Bill Steffen & the Energizer Bunny were ready to meet and greet the visitors and help to keep West Michigan families safe from fire.

These people listened carefully to the Firefighter on how to quickly escape should their home catch on fire.  They are inside the E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety trailer learning about the importance of knowing two ways out, having and practicing a home escape plan and having a meeting place once outside.

It's time to put their newly learned escape plan to use once they see the smoke.

A steady line of people waiting for their free smoke alarms and/or replacement Energizer batteries was common on both Saturday and Sunday.

December 17th, 2004 - Michigan:
Fire Safety expert Michael McLeieer, President & Founder of E.S.C.A.P.E., Inc. says "a working smoke alarm doubles your chance of surviving a house fire.  It's your first line of defense in case of a fire."  The holiday season is a high-risk time for home fires, which is why WOOD TV8, WOTV 4, Farm Bureau Insurance, Rescue 1 Fire Safety for Kids, E.S.C.A.P.E., Inc. and several area fire stations in West Michigan are trying to get free smoke alarms to homeowners who need them.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, roughly seventy percent (70%) of home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or smoke alarms that aren’t working.  On Friday, December 17, WOOD TV8  and several other community partners teamed up with three area West Michigan fire departments to get free smoke alarms to families who can’t otherwise get them.  Starting at noon, we distributed almost 2,000 free smoke alarms provided by Farm Bureau Insurance & Rescue 1.

The smoke alarms were available in Wyoming at Fire Station One, located on Burton at Burlingame.  In Muskegon County, they were distributed at the Muskegon Heights Fire Department on Baker Street near Broadway.  And in Ionia, the Department of Public Safety on East Adams was the distribution site.  Up to two smoke alarms were given to families who did not already have smoke alarms in their homes and had no other way of getting them.  Fire and safety officials from area fire departments, Rescue 1 or E.S.C.A.P.E., Inc. were at each site to answer questions about installing the smoke alarms.

Smoke alarms were also distributed by 24 Hour News 8 Anchors Suzanne Geha & Tom Van Howe as well as Director of Community Affairs Eva Aguirre Cooper at the Wyoming Fire Station, by Gerry Barnaby, who was at the Muskegon Heights Fire Department and by Maranda & Rescue 1 who were in Ionia.

Below are some pictures from the Wyoming Smoke Alarm Giveaway.

                       Suzanne Geha                              Marie McLeieer from E.S.C.A.P.E. & Eva

October 30th & 31st, 2004 - Michigan:
An event this weekend was aimed at arming West Michigan families with the equipment and knowledge to stay safe from fire this fall.  October is Fire Safety Month and as it came to a close, we held an event to help individuals learn more about keeping their family safe.  When you’re protecting your home from the possibility of fire, keep this in mind.  Most fire deaths in homes occur at night and many fire officials believe your best defense against this is a working smoke alarm. 

Put smoke alarms on the top of your holiday gift-giving list this year.  Many homes do not have enough smoke alarms inside.  Experts recommend putting one inside each bedroom and having smoke alarms on every floor of the house including the attic. 

Safety tips, home equipment and more information was available at the family Fire Safety Days in Portage this weekend.  Rescue 1 and E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc., will be distributing information, taking kids on fire truck tours, demonstrating how to get out alive in the smoke trailer, and handing out free smoke alarms while supplies last.

E.S.C.A.P.E. stands for Education Showing Children Awareness and Procedures for Evacuations.  It was the coordinator of this event and is a non-profit community agency that works full time to educate children and families about fire prevention and safety, as well as CPR and first aid.

Thanks to our community partners Lowe's Home Improvement Center, WOOD TV 8, WOTV 4, Energizer Battery Company, McDonald's, and Rescue 1 Fire Safety for Kids, we distributed over 300 free smoke alarms & over 200 9-volt batteries, as well as coloring books, Pizza Hut bookmarks, fire safety stickers, and fire hats for the children.  We also shared other life saving information with the adults who attended.

Where to install smoke alarms: 
 

• At least one smoke alarm per floor. 
• One smoke alarm in the middle of living room ceiling. 
• Never put a smoke alarm in the kitchen (this is the cause of the most false alarms).
• Put one in each bedroom, on the ceiling centered above the door and 18" inside the bedroom. 
• Do not put smoke alarms on suspended ceilings. Put them six inches down on the wall instead.

• Test & clean smoke alarm monthly.
• Change batteries at least twice a year.  Doing this when you change the time on your clocks in the spring and the fall is good opportunity.

• Place a CO detector where CO is produced, such as inside the room housing your furnace and water heater. 
• One CO detector on each floor including basement and sleeping areas. 
• Check detectors monthly. 
• Change batteries at least twice a year.

To minimize your chance of CO poisoning:
 

• Have your furnace checked annually.
• Make sure heating and cooling company is licensed 
• Ask landlord for proof of inspection 
• Have at least one detector in your home 
• One per floor recommended

• Headache, fatigue 
• Shortness of breath 
• Nausea, dizziness 
• No fever 
• Feel bad at home, better at work 
• Animals try to get out of home