801 Crockett Street, Shreveport, Louisiana 71101
318/ 673-6655 ● FAX: 318/ 673-6656 ● www.shreveportfire.org

Kelvin J. Cochran, Fire Chief

February 26, 2002

PRESS RELEASE
To: NEWSROOM
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer
Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2609, page: 675-2137

FIRE DEPARTMENT ISSUES WARNING: Don’t Forget Fire Safety or Elderly During Late Cold Spell

Late season cold spells often present the biggest challenge for the Shreveport Fire Department, specifically when it comes to residential and commercial fires. Equally challenging are the number of elderly who are affected by the sudden change in weather.

The sudden cold weather triggers respiratory problems and hypothermia just as easily as it does a house fire. Either way firefighters and paramedics are busier responding to emergency calls. The Shreveport Fire Department urges residents to take a few simple precautions during this period of extremely cold weather:

Fire Related
• Residence should be careful when using open-flame gas or kerosene space heaters to not place any combustibles to close to the heat source.
• Do not run cords for heaters under any material, such as a rug. The cords heat up when in use and can start a fire.
• Children should never be left alone in a room with an open flame of any type.
• Heating and air handling units should be checked by a licensed professional.
• Chimneys need to be serviced and cleaned at the start of every winter season.
• All homes should have working smoke detectors and those with gas heat should have a Carbon Monoxide detector. Smoke detectors are free by calling SFD Fire Prevention at 673-6740
• Change out or clean all air intake filters. The buildup can start a fire and cause Carbon Monoxide poisoning.
• Do not use alternative heat sources, like the stove or candles to heat your home.
• Be careful not to overload home electrical outlets. Overloaded outlets can heat up, short and start a fire.
Medical Related
• The fire department urges all those with elderly and/or disabled family, friends, and neighbors to be sure and check on them during this extremely dangerous run of cold weather
• SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS of Hypothermia

- Trembling

- Uncontrollable fits of shivering
- Slurred and slow speech
- Poor judgement
- Skin color ranging from cyanosis to waxen; skin often appears gray and bloodless
- Increased blood pressure, heart, and respiratory rates at first; decreased heart and respiratory rates, irregular heartbeat, weak, shallow or absent pulse and respiration as hypothermia progresses.
- Low blood pressure
• EMERGENCY CARE FOR HYPOTHERMIA

- Call the Shreveport Fire Department and Activate EMS - 911
- TOP PRIORITY - never allow the person to stay in a cold environment.
- Keep the person in a horizontal position; it helps to prevent shock.
- Handle the patient gently and do not allow the patient to exert himself. Jostling a hypothermia patient can cause a heart attack.
- Check vital signs - measure for one full minute due to the slowness of the body functions
- Insulate the head due to rapid heat loss
- Start with active external warming - warm blankets, coats, layers of clothing, body heat transfer from person to person. ###