IEMA and state fire marshal suggest lifesaving holiday gifts

[December 12, 2008]  SPRINGFIELD -- With the holiday shopping season well under way, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Office of the State Fire Marshal have a few gift ideas that can protect your loved ones during emergencies year-round.

"After the severe winter storms we had last year and heavy flooding this fall, I think people are more aware of the importance of being prepared for the unexpected," said Andrew Velasquez III, IEMA director. "Being without heat and electricity during frigid winter weather isn’t just an inconvenience, it can be extremely dangerous if you’re not adequately prepared. I believe a preparedness gift, like a weather radio, a flashlight with extra batteries or a car emergency kit, would be greatly appreciated by a friend or loved one this holiday season."

Velasquez said Illinois has experienced several weather disasters in recent years that demonstrate the importance of personal preparedness. For example, in late November 2006, thousands of Illinois residents were left without heat and electricity in freezing temperatures for several days when a major winter storm struck nearly half the state with ice and snow.

Holiday preparedness gift ideas include:

• NOAA Weather Alert radios with extra batteries.

• A disaster kit for the home, office or dormitory with such items as a first-aid kit, bottled water (a gallon per person per day -- three-day minimum), nonperishable food, blankets, flashlight and batteries.

• A safety kit for the automobile with such items as jumper cables, flashlight, blankets, sand and a small shovel.

• A portable generator.

State Fire Marshal David B. Foreman says home safety gifts, such as smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers, are also thoughtful presents that are proven to save lives.

"If you know someone who doesn’t have a working smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector in their home, these items should be at the top of your gift list," said Foreman. "Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are both proven lifesavers, and what could be a better gift than something that protects the lives of the ones you love?"

Foreman noted that the gifts will help friends and loved ones comply with Illinois law, which requires that working smoke alarms be placed within 15 feet of every sleeping area and be maintained in working order. Since Jan. 1, 2007, state law also requires all buildings that use fossil fuel and have sleeping rooms or have an attached garage to have an approved, operating carbon monoxide detector installed within 15 feet of any sleeping area. Homes that have all electric appliances and do not have a fireplace or an attached garage are exempt from the requirements.

Other fire safety and prevention gift ideas suggested by the state fire marshal include ABC-rated fire extinguishers, foldable ladders for second-story emergency escapes and flameless scented candles.

Most preparedness and gift items can be found in hardware and department stores.

For additional information on emergency preparedness, visit the Ready Illinois site at www.ready.illinois.gov. The Office of the State Fire Marshal offers more fire safety information at www.state.il.us/osfm.

[Text from Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of the State Fire Marshal file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]