By Justin Creech
Staff writer
Thursday, September 13, 2012

Amid police sirens and children sitting in the front seat of fire engines and police cars, residents of Woodlawn Village learned fire safety and home security tips during the Fort Belvoir Enlisted Spouses Club’s Safety and Security Day at the Woodlawn Community Center, Sunday.

Fort Belvoir Police Department, Fire and Emergency Services and the Directorate of Emergency Services told residents to keep their home and car doors, and garages locked at all times, clean their smoke alarms once a month and make sure they know how to use their fire extinguishers in the event of a fire.

“I think it’s important for Families to take control of their own security,” said Barbara Zimmerman, BESC vice president when asked why the BESC organized the event. “I don’t think people are aware of how easy it is to start fires in their own home or good safety preventions and security measures they can take.”

Residents should vacuum their smoke detectors once a month to get rid of dust, cobwebs and insects that may be in them. They should also have an evacuation plan in place in the event of a fire so they know how to safely evacuate the house.

“Immediately get low and get out if you hear the smoke alarm going off and get to the nearest exit that is safe,” said Larry Shinn, FES Fire Fighter Medic. “Stay low while evacuating and feel the door handle to check if it’s hot before you open it. If it’s hot don’t go out. Open a window and hang a piece of clothing out so we know you are there.”

While in the kitchen, keep loose clothing away from burners, and have the proper lids for pans and pots while using them, according to John Weaver, FES Fire Marshall.

Rishawna Dahlum of Jadwin Loop is happy to have been given this information since her and her husband have a young daughter and want to be able to teach her proper fire safety.

“We’ve lived here for four years, so it’s good to have a refresher because you do forget some of the information over time,” Dahlum said. “We have a daughter now, so we are teaching her to not be afraid if there is a fire and if she sees a fire fighter because they are friendly and helpful.”

FBPD representatives stressed to the residents that they keep their home, garage and vehicle doors locked at all times and that the most important hours to do that is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

“We have a lot of larcenies where people have left their garage or vehicle doors open,” said Richard Mullikin, FBPD Patrolman. “In that case, when the items are unattended and unsecured there’s not a whole lot we can do. If you keep it locked, we are more apt to catch the people breaking in.”

Monica Harris, Woodlawn Village resident and Woodlawn neighborhood watch program leader agrees residents should keep their homes and vehicles locked at all times, and they should also look out for one another.

“If you leave your bicycle and skate boards out in your yard, or an iPad or iPhone in your vehicle even if the door is locked people are going to break that window because they want the item,” said Harris. “If you see one of your neighbors is doing any of these things knock on their door and let them know so they can take care of it.”

As a neighborhood watch leader, Harris feels if residents take the proper steps to protect their property and monitor the neighborhood they should have no reason to be fearful of living on post.

“There’s been a lot of talk about losing the gate guards and some people are getting excited about it and I just don’t think there is any reason to be scared to live on base,” said Harris. “You have to take care of yourself and your neighbors. People need to learn to lock their doors and windows. When you don’t take care of you, how can you take care of your neighborhood?”

The event also gave residents a chance to meet the post’s emergency personnel face to face and see that they genuinely care about the resident’s safety and security, according to Jordana Watts, BESC President.

“I think it’s a great chance to see who’s going to come save the day, but who also cares about your security,” said Watts. “It’s a chance to meet your neighbors, and as a citizen you are responsible for taking care of everyone around you.”