Livingston, N.J. – A fierce fire in Toms River in early June placed 200 homes in serious jeopardy and caused massive traffic tie-ups for motorists stranded on ancillary routes when 24 miles of the Garden State Parkway were shut down during the fire. The threat of fire throughout New Jersey remains a concern during one of the worst droughts in the state's recorded history. Although rain during March and April has made vegetation look green, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Drought Information Office reports that “the illusion is that New Jersey's water supply situation has improved dramatically.”
Staff caring for patients at The Burn Center at Saint Barnabas see firsthand the horrendous damage to the body that occurs as a result of burn injuries. The state’s only certified burn treatment facility, The Burn Center is one of the largest in the United States and Canada. An integrated team of more than 90 professionals provide comprehensive care to patients, approximately 75 percent of whom are under age two.
“The risk of wild fires is cause for concern for anyone who lives near wildland areas or who uses recreational facilities in wilderness,” says Kathe Conlon, B.S.N., R.N., Community Nurse Educator for the Saint Barnabas Burn Foundation. “Families should be aware of the tenuous conditions caused by the drought and have an emergency plan in case of fire.”
The following safety suggestions regarding the threat of wildland fires are provided by the Burn Center at Saint Barnabas and the Federal Emergency Management Agency:
FIRE PREVENTION/ EMERGENCY PREPARATION
- Build fires away from nearby trees or bushes. Avoid open burning completely during a dry season.
- Always have a way to extinguish the fire quickly and completely.
- Never leave a fire--even a cigarette--burning unattended.
- Use fire-resistant materials when building, renovating, or retrofitting structures.
- Create a safety zone to separate the home from combustible plants and vegetation. Stonewalls can act as heat shields and deflect flames. Swimming pools and patios can be a safety zone.
- Keep tree and shrub limbs trimmed so they do not come in contact with the wires.
- Remove all limbs, needles, and debris from rain gutters and keep the chimney clean.
- Store flammable materials in safety containers away from the house.
- Install smoke detectors on every level of your home and near sleeping areas.
- Have disaster supplies on hand: flashlight with extra batteries, a battery-operated radio, first aid kit, food and water and essential medicines, cash and credit cards.
- Develop an emergency evacuation AND communication plan in case family members are separated during a fire. Ask an out-of-state person to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster, it is often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact.
DURING A WILDLAND FIRE
- Remove combustible items from around the house: lawn and poolside furniture, umbrellas and firewood.
- Take down flammable drapes and curtains. Close all venetian blinds or noncombustible window coverings.
- Close all doors and windows inside your home to prevent draft.
- Close gas valves and turn off all pilot lights.
- Turn on a light in each room for visibility in heavy smoke.
- Place valuables that will not be damaged by water in a pool or pond.
- If hoses and adequate water are available, leave sprinklers running on roofs.
- Be ready to evacuate family and pets when fire nears or when instructed to do so by local officials.
For more information about Burn Education and Prevention programs, please call (973) 322-8071, or view the Medical Center’s web site at www.saintbarnabas.com . To reach The Burn Center at Saint Barnabas, please call (973) 322-5920.
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