FWIT, some advice from a fire chief about duct tape etc...

[MaryAnnDVC]

I cleaned out a closet in our kitchen and came across our old fire extinquisher (which was so readily available, obviously ) so I emailed a fire chief friend of mine asking if it was any good...his reply:

Your 16 year old fire extinguisher is "No Good". You can pick them up cheap at Home Depot. I may also add don't run out and buy duct tape or plastic for your windows either. I thought I'd throw that in there since I've gotten about 10,000 calls this week since some idiot in the Government told people to do that. So while I'm here I'll give you my canned presentation. Flashlight, Batteries, Portable Radio, First Aid Kit, 2 Gals of Drinking Water and some cash on hand. Same standard you should have on hand in the event of a bad storm.

Now for a hot stock tip. Invest in 3M, with all the nuts out there listening to the Government you'll make a mint and Dave can retire by next week.

STILL...I don't begrudge anyone who takes the advice of the government...it can't hurt, even if it doesn't help.

 

[caitycaity]

no offense, but when it comes to information about chemical warfare, i think i'll take the word of the government over the word of a fire chief.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Funny, seeing as how the fire department would be the first to respond.

 

[Boo'sMom]

I'm gonna get some popcorn......

 

[jfulcer]

Originally posted by caitycaity
no offense, but when it comes to information about chemical warfare, i think i'll take the word of the government over the word of a fire chief.

I think the point is, by the time you receive any warning about the threat, it's probably too late. It could have been odorless, and colorless. What if they let it loose near your local grocery store this morning as you were shopping? You were just exposed and didn't know it. Your plastic and duct tape will be sitting at home.

What if you knew there was 'an inbound chemical warhead', how long would it take you to seal up that room? Did you go pick your kids up from school first? And how long, really, would you need to keep it taped up? Was the prevailing wind blowing in your direction, or away? Will the wind change? If you seal it right, there won't be enough oxygen for you to last more than 8 hours. If you seal it wrong, what was the point?

I think the fire chief is being practical. The 'Word of Goverment' is designed to give you SOME hope. If they told you "You might as well get to your loved ones as your time on this planet is limited if there is a chemical/biological war." They don't want to depress the population.

Someone posted a thread about the nuclear drills of old. How children should hide under their desks at school and cover their heads. The same people that told everyone to duct tape their rooms designed those ads...

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Originally posted by caitycaity
no offense, but when it comes to information about chemical warfare, i think i'll take the word of the government over the word of a fire chief.

No offense taken...why would I? I'm not here to argue anything, nor to try to convince anyone to choose one action over another. I said "FWIW", and by all means, everyone should do what they're most comfortable doing with the information that they have available.

 

[Towncrier]

I actually have a 16yo fire extinguisher sitting under the kitchen sink at home. I'll have to get out to the hardware store and replace it. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[caitycaity]

i'm sorry. i didn't mean to turn this into a debate either. i need to learn not to post on some things.

i just said no offense b/c i didn't want anyone to think i was trying to create a problem. obviously that didn't work though. LOL

have a great holiday weekend everyone.

and it was a great reminder about extinguishers. ours is pretty old too.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Sorry I didn't want to get into another debate either. It's so easy on these threads though. I need to avoid them.

I'm not even sure WHERE my fire exstinguisher is. I need to look when I go home.

 

[Poohstyx]

Hi Mare! Just wanted to say hi. I hope "Just Dave" gets to retire early anyway.
Hope to show you our new little Disney fan at WDW sometimes.

Take care of you & yours ~
Poohstyx

 

[perdidobay]

Thanks for the reminder, my fire extinguisher isn't old, but DD used it last month when she caught my oven on fire
and once used, needs to be recharged. It's probably cheaper to buy a new one though!
Hi Poohstyx!

 

[Zurg]

Well I would love to turn this into a debate.

>I'll have to get out to the hardware store and replace it.

I think you should go to Target!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

This has prompted me to go out and buy a fire extinguisher this weekend. YES I do not own one.
As far as the duct tape issue with dh and I...he said if I go out and buy duct tape and plastic he is going to go out and buy a GUN.
Since I don't want a gun in the house...(or do I?) I won't go out and get the duct tape & plastic.
I find merit in his argument so I am STUCK....

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I winced when I saw there were more replies on this thread and read them fearfully through squinty eyes...but I'm glad it just turned out to be a reminder for everyone to get a nice new working fire extinguisher. Whew! Fire Chief Friend will be glad to hear it.

(Hi Poohstyx! Would LOVE to see you and the new little one...no DIS name yet?? )

 

[Dan Murphy]

If a fire extinguisher good/bad indicator still reads good, even though years old, is it good, or bad??


Hmmmm, maybe I should ask Vince, LOL.

 

[Pin Wizard]

No duct tape or plastic here. I agree with the fire fighter. Just my kit...donuts, chocolate, and mimosas.

 

[Buckalew]

LOL, Mare. I'm married to a firefighter and I have had the same kitchen fire extinguisher mounted to the wall for 15 years! I'd better do something about that!! Lord knows how I cook, ya know!!
I'm thinking that duct taping the room and then turning off the heat and air that I'll sufficate in there. Is that a blonde thought??

I heard Dave was retiring early. Please tell I said "Happy Retirement!!"

 

[BethR]

Originally posted by Dan Murphy
If a fire extinguisher good/bad indicator still reads good, even though years old, is it good, or bad??


Hmmmm, maybe I should ask Vince, LOL.

That is exactly what I was wondering too. Ours has to be about 16 years old but the gage still shows "good." Is it lying to me?

Let me know what Vince tells you, Dan.

 

[danacara]

Today some family in my town almost asphyxiated themselves by plastic-sheeting their vents and windows and turning on the oven. BE CAREFUL