NFPA reminds the public to properly store and dispose of seasonal decorations

December 20, 2012 - While the winter months are the leading time of year for home fires, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says the post-holiday season presents its own set of fire hazards. Dried out Christmas trees and holiday lighting are among the leading culprits.

"As time goes by, Christmas trees continue to dry out and become increasingly flammable," said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Communications for NFPA. "For trees decorated with holiday lights, the risk increases because they're in direct contact with an electrical source."

Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they have a higher chance of being deadly. On average, one of every 66 reported home structure Christmas tree fires resulted in a death compared to an average of one death per 144 total home structure fires.

A video demonstration created by NFPA and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) underscores just how quickly a dried-out Christmas tree fire can grow and spread.

According to Carli, you can tell when the tree is drying out by the number of needles that drop each day. "Once you start to see more fall, the tree is no longer fresh, and it's time to get rid of it."

Dried trees should not be kept in the home, garage, or placed outside against the home. Check with your local community to find a recycling program.

In 2006 to 2010, holiday lights and other decorative lighting were involved in an annual average of 160 home fires, 9 civilian deaths, 13 related injuries, and $9 million in direct property damage. To reduce the risk of holiday light fires and keep equipment in good condition for next year, follow these storage suggestions:

• To unplug electric decorations, use the gripping area provided on the plugs. Never pull the cord to unplug a device from electrical outlets. Doing so can harm the cord's wire and insulation and even lead to an electrical shock or fire.
• As you're putting away electrical light strings, take time to inspect each for damage. Throw out light sets if they have loose connections, broken sockets or cracked or bare wires.
• Do not place a damaged set of lights back into the storage box for next year's use.
• Wrap each set of lights and put them in individual plastic bags, or wrap the lights around a piece of cardboard.
• Store electrical decorations in a dry place where they cannot be damaged by water or dampness. Also, keep them away from children and pets.

NFPA and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) have teamed up again to remind everyone about ways to keep warm and safe throughout the winter months. Their joint safety campaign, "Put a Freeze on Winter Fires," includes a wealth of heating, cooking and holiday fire safety tips.

About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. NFPA develops more than 300 codes and standards to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other hazards. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed at no cost at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.

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Technology Under the Tree? Try These Free Programs!

Your library is gearing up in January to help you learn how to use the technology Santa brought. Try these free programs:

 

Getting Started with Downloading eBooks:

2:00 pm, Wednesday, Jan. 2, MAIN Library, and

5:30 pm, Tuesday, Jan. 15, SOUTHWEST Branch

 

From smartphones to tablets, there are all sorts of devices that will allow you to check out eBooks and eAudiobooks  for free at the Rock Island Library. We'll show you how! Free, no registration required.

 

And if Santa brings a new computer, try this class:

 

Getting Started with Computers:

1:30 pm, Tuesday, Jan. 29, MAIN LIbrary. Whether you've never touched a computer before or just want to learn some new things, this class will help you get more comfortable. Space is limited; registration required for this class only. Call 309-732-7341 to sign up.

 

More Events for the first week of January 2013

 

Catch a free independent movie showing at 6:00 pm on Thursday, Jan. 3, at the Rock Island Main Library. This month's film is Queen of Hearts (French with English subtitles). Independent films are not rated. Free popcorn. (Watch it, and join an online discussion on the Rock Island Library Facebook page after the movie.)

 

Thirty-something Adele is devastated after a painful breakup. With no close friends or family, her distant cousin, Rachel, reluctantly takes her in and graciously attempts to salvage Adele's personal and professional lives.

 

Teen Fun @ Your Library

 

 

Read to Survive, Survive to Read Teen READ challenge is Jan. 6-Jan. 26. Forms will be available by Friday, Jan. 4 at all Rock Island Library locations. Read, survive and win!

 

After you pick up your challenge form, take part in a Teen Read Scavenger Hunt, at 6:00 pm on Thursday, Jan. 10, at the Rock Island Main Library.  Test your survival skills and see if you have what it takes to follow the clues and stay alive in this battle of endurance and wits! Come and try your luck for a chance to win great prizes! Ages 12-18.

2013 Chicago Bike Swap debuts at a new UIC space in three huge gyms

Thousands expected to attend Chicago's downtown bike expo

Chicago Bike Swap 2013 anticipates more than 75 bike shops, businesses, nonprofits, bike clubs, bike teams and bike people to exhibit and sell bikes, bike parts, gear, clothing, bike event registrations and more.

Chicago's only downtown bike expo?the Chicago Bike Swap organized by the nonprofit Active Transportation Alliance, and also benefiting Chicago Bike Winter and The Chainlink.org?will take place at the University of Illinois at Chicago Physical Education Building, 901 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, 2013. Visit www.chicagobikeswap.org for more information.

Admission is $10 (cash only) or $5 for members of the Active Transportation Alliance and students, staff and faculty of UIC. Kids 12 and under free. The public is welcome to bring up to three bikes per person to sell in our giant Bike Corral. The service is admission plus $5 per bike. You set the price and we call you when a buyer is interested.

For only $30, you'll get admission to the swap and a one-year Active Transportation Alliance membership, which includes the Chicagoland Bike Map (a $10 value!).

In addition to affordable bike merchandise, you can expect presentations on topics like biking safely with children, updates on Chicago's new biking infrastructure and performances by the Racketeers, a women's BMX bike dance troupe.

The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that works to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe, convenient and fun that we will achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel. The organization builds a movement around active transportation, encourages physical activity, increases safety and builds a world-class transportation network. The Active Transportation Alliance is North America's largest transportation advocacy organization, supported by nearly 7,000 members, 1,000 volunteers and 40 full-time staff. For more information on the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325.

Bike Winter ( http://bikewinter.org) is a Chicago-based campaign aimed at promoting the bicycle as year-round transportation by facilitating social and educational events to build confidence and enthusiasm for all-weather cycling. Bike Winter began with the efforts of a dedicated group of Chicago cyclists in 1999 and now includes efforts in Milwaukee, Madison and St. Louis.

The Chainlink, www.thechainlink.org, is the one-stop Chicagoland resource for connecting cyclists to share info on bikes, routes, rides, and events.

"Kids Don't Have Lobbyists: Part 2" is Latest Installment of Thanks in Advance Campaign

CHICAGO - December 20, 2012. One reason children stand to lose the most from the pension squeeze is their lack of a voice in Springfield, according to a new video released today by Governor Pat Quinn.

"Kids Don't Have Lobbyists: Part 2" picks up where the children left off in "Kids Don't Have Lobbyists: Part I." That video was posted last week as part of Governor Quinn's "Thanks in Advance" Internet campaign to educate Illinoisans about the urgent need for pension reform.

"Kids: Part 1" - which has been viewed more than 5,600 times - went behind-the-scenes at a children's focus group about cereal which turned into a discussion of pension reform. As the gravity of the pension problem became clear and the kids realized their voices were not being heard, they decided to hire a lobbyist. In the sequel, the kids hold "Lobbyist Tryouts" and interview "Mr.Tim the Lobbyist." They realize "Mr. Tim is expensive."

View both of the "Kids Don't Have Lobbyists" videos at ThisIsMyIllinois.com or the "Thanks in Advance" Facebook page.

"Today's adults must sacrifice a little of their present so the children of our state can have a bright future," Governor Quinn said. "In the past decade, the pension squeeze has forced deep cuts in early childhood education, after-school programs and grants for college-bound students. Nobody has more at stake in pension reform than the children of Illinois and we should all keep that in mind heading into January."

State spending on public pensions will exceed education spending by 2016 if comprehensive pension reform is not enacted. The state's pension payments - which made up just six percent of the state's budget in 2008 - have soared to 16 percent of the budget in 2013. That increase has "squeezed" the education portion of the budget from 30 percent down to 26 percent. The "squeeze" by pension payments on essential state services is the focus of "Thanks in Advance," which has attracted 41,000 unique visitors and nearly 50,000 YouTube views.

The "Kids Don't Have Lobbyists: Part 2" video joins four videos on the "Thanks in Advance" website, including videos by legendary "explainer" Salman Khan. Khan was named by Time Magazine as one of the World's 100 Most Influential People for his commitment to offering a "world class education for everyone everywhere."

In April, Governor Quinn proposed a plan that would rescue the pension systems, ensure employees have access to benefits and prevent skyrocketing pension costs from eating up core services like education and healthcare. The governor's plan would fully fund the pension system by 2042. "Thanks in Advance" aims to build public awareness about the need for legislative action on pension reform in Springfield and empower citizens to make their voices heard. The legislature is scheduled to work January 3-8.

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