The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Tips to keep residents safe from fire and crime were offered Dec. 16 at a public forum hosted by state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17) at the township municipal building.
Featured speakers were township police Sgt. Phil Rizzo and John Hauss, the township’s Director of Fire Prevention.
Rizzo gave the approximately 20 residents in attendance practical tips on what hey could do to reduce the possibility of being crime victims.
Keeping car and house doors locked and installing a burglar alarm system were two examples Rizzo gave of actions people could take.
One of the easiest things a homeowner could do, Rizzo said, was to adopt a dog.
Hauss stressed the importance of checking smoke and CO2 alarms monthly, and changing their batteries at least twice a year.
Hauss said a CO2 alarm with a digital readout is preferred because it will show when carbon monoxide levels are increasing, as opposed to a traditional alarm, which will only sound off when there is already a problem.
Given the season, Hauss also cautioned against overloading electrical outlets with power cords to holiday decorations, and said that ashes from fireplaces should be placed in metal containers at least three feet away from anything that could catch fire if they re-ignite.
Danielsen said he wanted to have the forum to educate residents “about the simple things they can do to make themselves safer.”
The assemblyman said that incidents of fire, smoke and CO2 poisoning are more likely to occur to a homeowner than a burglary, and that “the things that are free are often the most valuable things that will protect us against the most common of risks.”
He stressed the value of networking with neighbors and getting CO2 and smoke alarms for homes.
Danielsen said that in the future he hopes to have more forums at various locations in the township.
