November 16, 2005

Dear Colleagues:

Last week's newspapers contained articles about the Governor's new policy to help the poor deal with the high cost of energy for heat and light. Omitted from the articles was the credit due to a remarkable group of Johns Hopkins professionals for a key part of this new policy.

Preventive health takes many forms. For the past 18 months they have been negotiating with utility company representatives, leaders of the Public Service Commission, and the Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs to assure that families know what help is available to avoid shut-offs in homes with young children and to provide an extended time period for accessing that help.

Dave Nichols began this fire safety crusade. He's not just our vice dean for education. As an attending physician in the PICU, he saw terrible burn injuries among children whose homes had no power. Horrified by their unnecessary suffering, Dave organized a Hopkins task force to promote actions to protect Maryland children. He wanted to reduce the use of unsafe alternative heat sources, such as candles, stoves and other appliances. And he was willing to engage with the utility companies, PSC and OHEP to change current power termination practices.

Please join me in thanking Dave and the members of his task force. Among the physicians, nurses, public health experts, lawyers and Government Affairs staff who worked with him are Joanne Pollak, Heather Barthel, Ben Selassie, Lew Romer, Susan Ziegfeld, Staci Vernick and Rick Redett.

To make sure their efforts have maximum effect, please urge families who need help paying their heating or energy bills to call the Office of Home Energy Programs at 1-800-352-1446 for information. And please provide them with the attached list of tips to prevent fires in the home.

Sincerely,
Edward D. Miller, M.D.

FIRE SAFETY TIPS

•  Do not use candles, or any kind of open flame, as a source of light or heat. Never leave candles unattended (flashlights are a safer option).
•  Install at least one smoke detector on each floor. Baltimore City residents can have up to two installed in their home by the fire department free of charge.
•  Test smoke alarm batteries monthly, and replace them twice a year.
•  Teach children never to touch or play with matches or lighters.
•  Keep items such as clothing, newspapers, magazines, etc. away from heat sources (fireplace, heaters, radiators).
•  Have the furnace, fire place and other heat sources inspected yearly. •  Do not store flammable liquids in the house.
•  Parents should never smoke in bed.
•  Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Show all adults in the home how to use it.
•  Practice escape plans with children, finding two ways out of each room.
•  Practice fire drills spontaneously.
•  Designate a meeting place outside the home.
•  Teach “stop, drop and roll” techniques to children to minimize burns in the event that their clothes catch on fire.
•  Teach children to crawl low to the ground during escape so that they don't inhale too much smoke. They should also place a cloth, preferably moist, against their nose and mouth to avoid breathing the smoke.
•  Teach children to “Get Out! and Stay Out!” of a burning house.
•  Make sure exits are clear of objects and furniture.