Fire Prevention Week; Smith named President of Library Association; Yorktown Day closing

Fire Prevention Week October 6-12 – Prevent Kitchen Fires!

October 1, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fire Prevention Week is October 6-12 and the York County Department of Fire and Life Safety is joining forces with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to remind residents to "Prevent Kitchen Fires." During this year's fire safety campaign, fire departments will be spreading the word about the dangers of kitchen fires--most of which result from unattended cooking—and teaching local residents how to prevent kitchen fires from starting in the first place.
According to the latest NFPA research, cooking is the leading cause of home fires. Two of every five home fires begin in the kitchen—more than any other place in the home. Cooking fires are also the leading cause of home fire-related injuries.
"Often when we're called to a fire that started in the kitchen, the residents tell us that they only left the kitchen for a few minutes," said York County Fire and Life Safety Captain Paul Long. "Sadly, that's all it takes for a dangerous fire to start. We hope that Fire Prevention Week will help us reach the members of our community before they've suffered a damaging lesson."
Among the safety tips that firefighters and safety advocates will be emphasizing:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling, or boiling food.
• If you must leave the room, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• When you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home, and use a timer to remind you.
• If you have young children, use the stove's back burners whenever possible. Keep children and pets at least three away from the stove.
• When you cook, wear clothing with tight-fitting sleeves.
• Keep potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper and plastic bags, towels, and anything else that can burn, away from your stovetop.
• Clean up food and grease from burners and stovetops.

The York County Department of Fire and Life Safety will be hosting and participating in the following activities during Fire Prevention Week to promote the prevention of kitchen fires, as well as fire and life safety for all ages.

• Saturday, October 5th - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Home Depot, 6700 Mooretown Rd.
• Saturday, October 5th - 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. K-mart, 118 Waller Mill Rd.
• Saturday, October 5th - 11 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1st Advantage FCU, 110 Cybernetics Way
• Saturday, October 5th – 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. K-mart, 5007 Victory Blvd.
• Sunday, October 6th - 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. K-mart, 118 Waller Mill Rd.
• Sunday, October 6th – 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Open House at Fire Station 1, 5751 George Washington Memorial Hwy.
• Saturday, October 12th - 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Open House at Fire Station 3, 114 Hubbard Lane

Through these educational, family-oriented events, residents can learn more about the importance of fire escape planning and practice, as well as the power of prevention.
To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in York County, please visit the Department's website at www.yorkcounty.gov/fire or by calling (757) 890-3600 Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. To learn more about "Prevent Kitchen Fires" visit NFPA's Web site at www.firepreventionweek.org.

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Kevin W. Smith, York County Library Director,
Named President of Virginia Library Association

October 1, 2013

FOR RELEASE AT WILL

On September 27, York County's Library Director, Kevin W. Smith, was named president of the Virginia Library Association (VLA).  The purpose of the VLA is to develop, promote, and improve library and information services, library staff, and the profession of librarianship in order to advance literacy and learning and to ensure access to information in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
In 2012, Smith was elected as vice president/president-elect by the professional association for librarians and library supporters. Since joining VLA Mr. Smith has been an active member especially on the lobbying front at the local, state and federal levels. Over the last six years he has coordinated and led an annual delegation of Virginia librarians and library advocates to Washington, D.C. to meet with members of congress in order to discuss legislation related to libraries and the field of information science. Smith believes in libraries and librarians and the essential role they play in the education of the communities they serve whether they are public, school, or collegiate. He stresses that the traditional roles of librarians are still important but in the digital age teaching information literacy is becoming paramount to the profession.
Before coming to Yorktown in 1999 Mr. Smith worked for Chesterfield County Public Library and the Library of Virginia.

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County offices to be closed October 18 for Yorktown Day

October 1, 2013

FOR RELEASE AT WILL

York County offices will be closed Friday, October 18, in observance of Yorktown Day, the anniversary of the victory at Yorktown.
County offices, York County Public Libraries and York-Poquoson Social Services will be closed that day, as will the county's Waste Management Center offices.
The General District Court, Circuit Court and Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court, as well as the York County Virginia Cooperative Extension office will be open. Please note that the courts will be closed Monday, October 14, for Columbus Day.
Collection of garbage and recyclables will not be affected by the holiday. The compost facility, citizen drop-off centers and transfer station located on Goodwin Neck Road will be open, however the administrative offices of the Waste Management Center will be closed.
For more information about the Yorktown Day office closing schedule, please call the Public Information Office at 890-3300.

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