Every home should be equipped with a fire extinguisher. What type you should buy is dependent on the types of materials you have in your home. For general household protection, a multi-purpose "ABC" rated fire extinguisher is recommended. This type of fire extinguisher uses dry chemical for extinguishment and works on burning materials such as wood, plastics, energized electrical equipment and flammable liquids.

If you are primarily protecting a room containing mostly electrical equipment, a "BC" rated fire extinguisher using carbon dioxide as the extinguishing agent is recommended. Although the dry chemical fire extinguisher is also functional for this type of fire, the carbon dioxide model makes less of a mess if it is discharged.

Fire extinguishers, like smoke detectors, should be placed on each level of your home for rapid access and use in case of a small fire. It is also recommended to install one extinguisher in the kitchen, and one in your furnace area.

Always follow the directions on the extinguisher and obtain proper training in fire extinguishers before using them. Remember that a fire extinguisher is only a "band-aid" for a fire, and the fire department must be called immediately upon discovering a fire. If you aren't comfortable operating a fire extinguisher, it is safest to evacuate the building and wait for the fire department to arrive.

C.P.R., or Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation means to artificially breath and circulate blood for a person with no heartbeat or respiration. When complications in the body have caused the body to stop breathing and the heart to stop pumping, oxygen is not readily transported throughout the body to the vital organs. When the cells of these organs are oxygen depleted for too long, they begin to die and eventually cause death. This is known as cardiac arrest.

Causes for cardiac arrest include, but are not limited to: heart attack, metabolic problems, drowning, electrocution, respiratory problems, severe trauma and narcotic use.

C.P.R.-trained personnel deliver mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions to the person in cardiac arrest, although CPR does not restart the heart. It is simply a technique that will "buy some time" until a defibrillator and advanced medical care arrives.

In most cases, before the heart completely stops, it goes into a disorganized electrical rhythm called Ventricular Fibrillation or Ventricular Tachycardia. In this case, the heart pumps an insufficient volume of blood to sustain human life. When this occurs, early defibrillation is key. Defibrillation trained personnel attach electrode pads to the person and deliver a shock with the intent of correcting the disorganized electrical rhythm.

The Cardiac Arrest "Chain of Survival"

Early Access: When a problem is recognized and 9-1-1 is activated.
Early CPR: Trained personnel perform CPR.
Early Defibrillation: Trained personnel perform defibrillation.
Early Advanced Care: Airway management and drug therapy performed by advanced medical care professionals.

****For more information about C.P.R. and defibrillation, visit the American Heart Association (AHA) website. ****

1. ALWAYS wear a helmet when riding your bicycle, even if it is a short distance.
2. When riding at night, be sure to have proper reflectors on your bicycle, along with a head lamp and tail light.
3. Obey all traffic rules.
4. Keep your bicycle in good working condition; perform regular check-ups and maintenance on your bicycle.
5. Use hand signals when changing direction or stopping.
6. Never carry more than intended number of persons on your bike.
7. When riding in the street, be specially aware of cars around you. You, on a bicycle, are not as visible as cars.