SPARKY'S BIRTHDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPARKY!
Sparky the Fire Dog®, the official mascot of NFPA, was created in 1951 for an Advertising Council campaign. As an influential figure in fire prevention, his success can be attributed to collaboration with firefighters and others to educate the public on important prevention and safety messages. In addition to connecting with the public through public service announcements and his featured role in Fire Prevention Week campaigns each October, he has a very active website, www.sparky.org and a Facebook page that was launched in 2011 as part of his 60th anniversary celebration.

Bookmark this page!
Come back often to see all of the special activities planned to celebrate Sparky's birthday all year long!

Visit Sparky's Facebook page
Trivia Tuesdays
A question relating to fire safety, fire statistics or fire history will be posted on Sparky's Facebook page every Tuesday, and we're looking for fans to post their guesses throughout the day to the Facebook wall. We will post the answer at 5:00 pm ET.

Sparky birthday wishes
Help make Sparky's birthday wishes come true each month on his page. To kick this off, April's birthday wish will be posted on Friday the 1st. We're looking for 60 people to finish this sentence: My favorite thing about Sparky the Fire Dog is __________!

Click Here For Fire Prevention information from 2010

Click Here For Fire Prevention information from 2009

Here is a fire Sprinkler Demonstration from 2009

Fire Prevention Tips

Cooking Fire Safety

The majority of home fires start in the kitchen. The NVFC and Fire Corps offer these tips to make your kitchen a safe one.

Do not wear loose fitting clothing when cooking, as they are easy targets to catch on fire.
Always turn pan handles in to prevent food spills.
Make sure that you keep pot holders and towels away from the stove.
Replace any old or frayed electrical cords on your appliances.
Never leave your cooking unattended.
If a fire should occur on the stove, slide a pan lid over the flames and then turn off the heat.
If a fire should occur in the oven, keep the oven door closed and turn off the heat to smother the fire.
Always keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Make sure it is kept in an accessible place away from the stove and oven.
If the fire does not go out quickly, use your escape plan and call the fire department immediately.

Heating Hazards

Nearly half of all home heating fires occur in December, January, and February. The NVFC and Fire Corps recommend these tips to help you stay warm and safe during the winter months.

Make sure your chimney is inspected and cleaned once a year.
Dispose of ashes only when they have fully cooled.
Don’t use an oven to heat your home.
Install carbon monoxide detectors outside each sleeping area.
When using space heaters, make sure that there is nothing within 3 feet of it that could burn.
Always make sure that portable heaters are turned off before going to bed or leaving the house.

Electrical Fire Prevention

Electrical distribution and lighting equipment were involved in an estimated 20,900 reported home fires in 2005. These fires resulted in 500 civilian deaths and 1,100 injuries, with an estimated $862 million in direct property damage per year.

Keep lamps, light fixtures, and light bulbs away from anything that can burn, such as bedding, curtains, and clothing.
Replace cracked and damaged electrical cords.
Use extension cords for temporary wiring only.
Homes with young children should have tamper-resistant electrical receptacles.
Call a qualified electrician or landlord if you have recurring problems with blowing fuses or tripping of circuit breakers, discolored or warm wall outlets, flickering lights, or a burning or rubbery smell coming from an appliance.

Smoking and Fire Safety

In the United States, smoking materials are the leading cause of home fire deaths. A majority of these fires resulted from the careless disposal of smoking materials. The NVFC and Fire Corps provide you with the following tips to avoid such tragedies.

Never leave a lit cigarette or cigar unattended. They can easily fall off whatever you placed them on and start a fire.
Don’t smoke in bed. You might fall asleep with the lit product in hand.
Always use an ashtray. Never put your ashes into a waste basket.
Always make sure that all smoking products are completely extinguished when disposing of them or before going to bed. Pour a cup of water on them to be sure.
Never leave matches or lighters within reach of children.
Always use child-resistant lighters.

The US Fire Administration’s Smoking and Home Fires campaign provides information, tips, and resources for preventing smoking-related home fires. Learn more at www.usfa.dhs.gov/campaigns/smoking/.

View tips from the campaign.
Download the Smoking and Home Fires poster.
Learn how you can spread the campaign in your community.