Station203.com

Thank you for taking the time to visit the official website of Munhall Volunteer Fire Company #4. Over the past year or so, we’ve been too focused on answering fire calls and training to keep our residents safe that we’ve kinda let our site go a  little. But don’t worry! We’re on it.

Over the next few months we’ll be making changes to update the website with current information, new pictures, and adding more resources to help you out! If you have any suggestions or things you want to see here, let us know! We are always interested in what the community has to say, and this website is no different! Feel free to post in the comments any suggestions you may have for us!

Again, thank you for your continued support and understanding in our lack of up keep with the site! We apologize, and are working hard to make our website as good as the service we provide!

(ARA) – The holiday season is a great time to gather with family and friends in your home to celebrate the season. In the rush of decorating the home and shopping for gifts, many people overlook simple safety precautions.

Whether you are stringing lights inside or outside your home, shopping for holiday decor for your office or dorm room, or looking online for the latest gadgets and gifts, it is important to keep safety in mind.

CSA International, a global product safety, testing and certification organization, recommends that you remember these smart decorating and shopping tips to help ensure everyone has a safe holiday season:

Deck your halls: indoor safety tips

* Inspect holiday light strings each year and discard any with frayed cords, cracked lamp holders or loose connections.

* Never tack or staple lighting strings or extension cords to any surface.

* Never run electrical cords through doorways or under carpets and rugs. Read the rest of this entry »

(ARA) – Given this year’s big earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, smaller quakes closer to home and predictions of an active hurricane season approaching, many Americans may wonder how their dwellings would fare in a natural disaster. Whether building new, or adding on, it is important to speak with the builder about how your home will be protected from seismic activity, high winds and other perils.

Although specific natural disasters are difficult to predict, no part of the country is immune. The dangers show that careful preparation in home and other building construction is a necessity.

"It’s not a matter of if, only of when an event like this strikes the people of the United States," says Marcia McNutt, director of the U.S. Geological Survey, commenting in USA Today on Chile’s magnitude 8.8 quake. Other hazards present additional risks. For example, six major hurricanes, on average, strike the U.S. mainland every decade, according to the National Hurricane Center, and wide swaths of the country are often subject to wind damage.

"Building codes in the U.S. are designed to reduce death and injuries from natural hazards," says Daniel Cheney, director of codes and product acceptance for iLevel by Weyerhaeuser. "The issue is making sure cities and counties are aware of the risks and have adopted and enforced the latest codes." Read the rest of this entry »

Members of the Munhall 4 Fire Company in front of 203 Engine and 203 Rescue after the memorial day parade, Main St, Munhall, PA

Thanks to Steve Norcup for the excellent picture!

(ARA) – Weather extremes are brutal on exterior landscaping. Rain, snow, wind and temperature variances all take a toll, especially on residential fencing.

Rain hastens rust and wood-rot, and ground freezing and thawing or high winds can affect gate alignment. Gate misalignment – as well as rusty metal hinges and latches – can lead to gates that no longer close securely. These conditions can be dangerous or even deadly if ignored. Weakened or damaged fencing can open up your property to unwanted intruders.

Now’s the time to inspect fencing, gates and gate hardware around your property to ensure all are in good working condition.

Selecting the right gate hardware can easily solve most of these problems. Innovative gate hinges and latches by D&D Technologies are made of super strong engineering polymers that will not rust, are adjustable, self-lubricating and include high-grade stainless steel mounting hardware. They require little or no maintenance over the years and are backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Read the rest of this entry »

(ARA) – Have government or manufacturer rebate programs enticed you to purchase a new home appliance, like a clothes washer or refrigerator? Or are you simply in the market to upgrade? Before purchasing any major appliance, it’s important to consider all your options before you make a final decision.

According to an October 2009 survey commissioned by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a leading independent safety testing organization, one in five homeowners who are involved in purchasing decisions independently reported they are likely to buy a large household appliance in the new year. That number increased to one in four upon hearing that states may offer cash back for purchasing an energy-efficient appliance during 2010.

“As today’s appliance technology continues to advance, it is now, more than ever, critical to consider safety when purchasing these items,” says Ms. Simin Zhou, vice president and general manager, UL’s Appliances, HVAC/R and Components business unit. “Energy efficiency is an important attribute, but family safety also needs to be part of the decision-making process.” Read the rest of this entry »

(ARA) – As residents and business owners tire of clearing snow and ice from sidewalks, driveways and parking lots, they are probably not thinking about lawsuits, fines and jail time. But maybe they should. The public’s demand for winter safety and mobility isn’t confined to roadways alone; it also includes pedestrian safety and mobility.

A few years ago, the Salt Institute conducted an informal survey of county and municipal agencies regarding their practices of sidewalk snow clearing. Eighty-three percent of the agencies have written policies directing property owners to remove accumulated snow and ice “within 24 hours of the end of the snowstorm.” Penalties for property owners not complying can range from nominal tickets, to misdemeanors punishable by up to 90 days in jail, to fines of up to $500. Read the rest of this entry »

(ARA) – The aging population will have the second biggest impact of any factor on the remodeling industry over the next five years, according to the AARP and National Association of Home Builders. Why? Because today’s homeowners overwhelmingly prefer to live independently in their current homes, even if it means remodeling to meet their needs.

Whether you modify your current house or purchase new  these are some must-haves to ensure you’ll have a safe, secure and easily maintained home in which to spend your golden years:

Floor plan
* Open floor plan with wide, accessible paths
* Single-story home or a two-story with a first-floor master bedroom

Bathroom
* First-floor master bathroom equipped with safety products, such as grab bars, elevated toilet seats and shower chairs
* Curbless shower, featuring a handheld showerhead with an extra long hose
* Adjustable- or varied-height countertops Read the rest of this entry »

(ARA) – To reduce home heating costs every winter, Americans turn to supplemental heat sources like gas fireplaces, wood stoves and kerosene heaters. While these heat sources can help reduce energy bills and keep homes warmer, experts say users should be aware of – and take steps to mitigate – potential fire and carbon monoxide risks.

“Space heaters and other alternative heating solutions offer cost-effective ways to keep your family warm throughout the winter without heating the whole house, allowing you to lower your thermostat to reduce your energy bills,” says Eric Sowder, senior vice president of home improvement retailer Lowe’s. “Many products have built-in safety features like automatic shutoffs, anti-tipping devices and heat guards, but be sure to follow all manufacturers’ instructions for use and placement of heating devices to avoid serious home injuries and help you rest easy throughout the winter.”

About 67 percent of American households use fuel-burning appliances and equipment during the winter months, according to a report by the nonprofit Home Safety Council. Yet 59 percent have not installed a carbon monoxide detector, and many others that do have CO detectors fail to replace missing or dead batteries, the council reports.

“Fires caused by heating appliances overtake cooking fires as the leading cause of home fires in January and February, and CO risks also rise with the use of alternative heating sources,” says Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council. Read the rest of this entry »

DURHAM, N.C., March 31, 2010 — GotoAID.com is on a big
mission — to give every person on earth immediate access to
first aid for emergencies with the use of technology. As the
Internet is quickly becoming more accessible to people with
a computer or web-capable mobile device, GotoAID is bringing
a life-saving first aid medical database to the masses.

Administering proper first aid can prevent infections,
reduce pain and suffering, and even save a life. Having
first aid information in the house or car is great, but do
you know how to use it when the time comes? That’s where
GotoAID comes in — to deliver the information through its
in-depth web site and a revolutionary new web-based and
mobile application. GotoAID incorporates simple step-by-step
instructions with the latest in innovative visual 3D
graphics and audible functioning.

"With earthquakes and other natural disasters occurring more
frequently, educating people in first aid has never been
more important. Our goal is to be everywhere you want to be
so that the next time a medical emergency arises for you,
your child, or even a beloved cat or dog, you will have the
first aid you need at your fingertips," said Keval Mehta,
founder of GotoAID. Read the rest of this entry »