Go Right For Lights and Sirens!
With response time being a critical component of an emergency call it is important for all motorists to follow the safety rules of the road. All drivers including the emergency vehicle personnel should operate with due regard when a truck is en route to the scene of an emergency. To ensure the safety of the public and the responders, it is important to remember to Go Right For Lights and Sirens.
Here are a few good rules to remember when sharing the road with an emergency vehicle responding to a call:
• Remain calm and move your vehicle appropriately.
• Safely pull your vehicle to the right edge of the roadway and stop.
• If you are in the left lane, pull over into the right lane as the traffic in the lane to your right moves over.
• If you cannot move to the right because of stopped vehicles, simply move as far to the right as possible, stop and leave a clear path for the emergency vehicle.
• Remain stopped until the emergency vehicles have passed.
• If an emergency vehicle approaches while your vehicle is stopped at an intersection, do not move unless you can move to the right without blocking the intersection.
• Once the emergency vehicle has passed, you must not follow within 500 feet of that vehicle.
By practicing these correct driving behaviors, seconds, and even minutes, can be dropped from the time it takes an emergency vehicle to reach its destination. Drive safely and be aware.
Courtesy of the Plano, Texas Fire Department
The Ohio Revised code states:
§ 4511.45 Right-of-way of public safety or coroner's vehicle.
Text of Statute
(A)(1) Upon the approach of a public safety vehicle equipped with at least one flashing, rotating or oscillating light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred feet to the front of the vehicle and the driver is giving an audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle, or bell, no driver of any other vehicle shall fail to yield the right-of-way, immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right edge or curb of the highway clear of any intersection, and stop and remain in that position until the public safety vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.
(B) This section does not relieve the driver of a public safety vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons and property upon the highway.
Things To Know About Smoke Alarms and
Carbon Monoxide Detectors.
It is important keep smoke and CO detectors operating correctly. It is recommended that you test them regularly and replace the batteries everytime you change the clocks for Daylight Savings Time. Knowing proper placement and maintenance of smoke and CO detectors can be crucial in saving lives in the event of an emergency. Here is a video from The National Fire Protection Association with a few more tips and reminders about smoke detectors.
With seasons changing and weather getting colder here are some tips for staying safe at home:
1) Keep space heaters, wood burning stoves and heating devices at least 3 feet from any combustibles or as the manufacturer recomends on installation and use.
2) Have your chimney cleaned and inspected prior to use-annually.
3) Make sure your fire extinguisher is inservice and you know how to use it.
4) Use extension cords carefully, do not staple, nail or cover them - THIS CAN CAUSE A FIRE! Do not "daisy chain" them or plug 2-3 cords together.
5) Pick your Christmas tree carefully. Make sure the needles are firmly on the tree and cut the base prior to placing in the stand. Water regularly. Remove as soon as the holiday is over.
6) Have your furnace serviced annually and change the filter regularly.