Lavon Cooper

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  www.moultrieobserver.com/local/local_story_331162647.ht - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 11/27/2008    Last Visited: 11/27/2008  

  Moultrie Fire Department's Fire Marshal Capt. Lavon Cooper said statistics show there are three times more cooking-related fires on Thanksgiving Day than on any other day. Across the country, there were 1,400 structure fires on Thanksgiving Day in 2006, which is more than three times the average number on any other day.
  
  None of those fires were reported in Moultrie; MFD records show firefighters have responded to only one fire call within the last two years around Thanksgiving. Even so, Cooper said there are basic safety precautions to follow to prevent a cooking fire, the leading cause of house fires, from starting on Thanksgiving Day or any other day.
  
  The most important safety precaution is to never leave frying, grilling or broiling food or the cooking area unattended, Cooper said.

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  www.moultrieobserver.com/local/local_story_103235346.ht - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 4/14/2007    Last Visited: 4/14/2007  

  Moultrie Fire Department Fire Marshall Lavon Cooper said permits can be obtained by calling 985-7557 and asking for the officer in charge.
  
  Once the officer in charge comes out and clears issuing a permit, Cooper said any and all natural vegetative yard debris, such as limbs, leaves and pine straw, from one's own yard can be burned.Anyone wanting to burn yard debris is required to get a permit.
  
  "Due to the dry weather," Cooper said, "we encourage caution while burning and to have someone stay at the fire while it is lit.

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  www.moultrieobserver.com/local/local_story_179233450.ht - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 6/28/2008    Last Visited: 6/28/2008  

  Moultrie Fire Department Fire Marshall Capt. Lavon Cooper said the department is concentrating its efforts for the detector program in Southwest Moultrie this year.The detector at this house had recently been checked by firefighters to make sure it was working properly.
  
  This is the 16th detector save since the program was started here in 2002, Cooper said.

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  www.moultrieobserver.com/local/local_story_025222550.ht - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 1/26/2008    Last Visited: 1/26/2008  

  Moultrie Fire Department Fire Marshall Lavon Cooper said the department installed 529 smoke detectors in Moultrie houses in 2007 and canvassed 781 homes.They targeted northwest Moultrie with the smoke detector program this year - a program which has been in place since 2002.
  
  Thanks to the fire department-installed smoke detectors, Cooper said there were four confirmed smoke detector saves.Because of the smoke detector, a home occupants were made aware of fires and escaped on Feb. 23, Aug. 26, Oct. 3 and Nov. 21.Since the installation program began in 2002, there have been at leasat 15 confirmed smoke detector saves.
  
  A smoke detector is an easy way for anyone to help protect their life in their home, Cooper said.With a smoke detector, an occupant doubles their chances of surviving a house fire.
  
  "A smoke detector is the simplest and most inexpensive life-saving measure we can install in our homes," Cooper said.
  
  In order to ensure a smoke detector is working properly, Cooper said to test it once a month, and do not remove the batteries from the detector.The fire department will come and check the detector if it is not working properly.The smoke detector program is made possible through a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is administered through the Georgia Department of Public Health.
  
  Cooper said the department was also busy teaching residents fire safety education.

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  www.moultrieobserver.com/local/local_story_319232323.ht - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 11/16/2007    Last Visited: 11/16/2007  

  Moultrie Fire Department Fire Marshall Capt. Lavon Cooper said there are many things everyone needs to consider when it comes to fire safety.The most important thing is to be sure every home has at least one working smoke detector on each floor, including the basement.Be sure there is a smoke detector outside of each sleeping area, also.
  
  With the recent time change, Cooper said it is recommended to check the batteries in smoke detectors to ensure they are working properly.The detectors should be checked at least once a month, and replace any batteries that are no longer working.Smoke detectors installed by the Moultrie Fire Department, however, have long-life lithium batteries that last between five and 10 years, but one should still be sure the detector is working properly.
  
  Cooking fires are the number one cause of fires in the country, in the state of Georgia and in Moultrie, Cooper said.To ensure cooking safety and avoid a fire, never leave something cooking unattended.This year, the city has had 13 fires as of Thursday caused by someone leaving a cooking container unattended, including one at a house on Second Street Southwest Tuesday.
  
  In addition to always watching food as it cooks, Cooper said it is best to cook it at the lowest possible temperature.Keep a three-foot clearance of any combustible materials from the pot, and it is best to keep children and pets away.If a child is cooking, however, make sure an adult is supervising the child.
  
  Cooper said to cover a pot in the event of a grease fire and smother the flames.Be sure to also turn off the pot's heat source to help squelch the fire.
  
  Home heating devices are the second leading cause of house fires, and Cooper said to be sure all heating units are checked annually.Homes with chimneys need to be cleaned of debris, and it is recommended they be cleaned out by a licensed chimney sweep.
  
  Any heating devices need to be turned off whenever a person leaves the room or the house, Cooper said.Keep a three-foot clearance of combustible materials away from a heating source, and use the correct type of fuel for heating sources, such as a kerosene lamp.
  
  Portable heating units with automatic shut-offs are good devices to use, but Cooper said not to use them near beds.
  
  Cooper said candles need to be used with manufacturer's instructions and never be left unattended.Keep lighting sources, such as matches, out of the reach of children and be sure the candles are in a sturdy container that does not easily tip over.Blow out candle flames whenever a person leaves the room or home.
  
  For those people who enjoy having a live Christmas tree, Cooper said to get a fresh tree and keep it well-watered.Be sure the tree is in a sturdy container that can hold a large amount of water, and keep the tree away from a heating source.If the needles of a tree fall off while running hands over a branch, the tree is too dry.
  
  Those who prefer to have an artificial tree in their house are recommended to get a flame-retardant tree, Cooper said.With lights used in decorating, check the cords to be sure there are no frays or bed ends and follow manufacturer's guidelines.
  
  Extension cords can be used with Christmas decorations, but Cooper said they need to be used on only a temporary basis.

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  www.tff25.org/print_article.cfm?homeID=113839 - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 12/1/2008    Last Visited: 2/22/2009  

  To prevent cooking fires, Lavon Cooper, the fire marshal captain of the Moultrie, Ga., fire department, urges people to never leave a cooking area unattended.

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  www.moultrieobserver.com/local/local_story_286215021.ht - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 10/14/2007    Last Visited: 10/14/2007  

  This year's theme was "It's Fire Prevention Week - Practice Your Escape Plan," according to fire department Capt. Lavon Cooper, the city's fire marshal.
  
  Each grade level had a specific presentation to teach children about fire safety and fire prevention.
  
  The pre-kindergarten through first grade classes were taught and entertained by the MFD Clown program, Cooper said.The second graders learned from Flashy, the robotic fire dog, while the third grade class learned home escape routes using the Fire Safety House and toured an MFD truck.
  
  The fourth grade class got to see Georgia Power's Powertown demonstration, which Cooper said is a partnership between the fire department and Georgia Power.Both organizations work together to teach fire safety in the schools, and Powertown allows the children to see the dangers of electricity first-hand.
  
  Cooper said the fifth grade class saw a video presentation and a discussion about Exit Drills In The Home (EDITH).EDITH was discussed in all presentations to help teach everyone the week's theme.
  
  "In case of a fire emergency," Cooper said, "EDITH teaches you how to get out of a home quickly and safely."
  
  Students at county elementary schools will have the chance to learn about fire safety through similar programs courtesy of the Colquitt County Volunteer Fire Association, Cooper said.Georgia Power has also partnered with Colquitt County's fire associations for the last five years to bring the Powertown presentation to all county schools.The only major difference will be Sparky, a costumed dog, being used instead of Flashy.
  
  Cooper said the kids are also given an activity book and several goodies to help them continue to learn about fire safety.

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  Moultrie Observer - Clown team celebrates Fire... - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 11/11/2006    Last Visited: 11/11/2006  

  Moultrie Fire Marshall Capt. Lavon Cooper said the lessons and methods used to teach the kids are age-appropriate for each group.The students will also be given a goodie bag filled with educational items and treats, and teachers will be given tools to continue educating the kids on fire safety.
  
  Cooper said organizers hope students will know exactly what to do in case of a fire or other emergency.This year's theme is "Prevent Cooking Fires - Watch What You Heat."
  
  Pre-kindergarten through second grade students at R.B. Wright Elementary School were given an extra-special treat Wednesday, as Cooper said they saw the first-ever performance of the Moultrie Fire Department's clown program.The four clowns, each members of the Moultrie Fire Department, taught the kids fire safety and entertained them through various skits.The program was made available through a grant from the Georgia Division of Public Health.
  
  Along with the clown program, Cooper said the third grade students walked through the fire department's safety house and were given a fire truck tour.Fourth grade students were given Georgia Power's Power Town electricity presentation, and fifth grade students watched a video about exit drills on the department's new multimedia equipment.The new equipment was bought through the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation's Brant Chesney Memorial Grant.
  
  Cooper said all of the students were taught basic fire safety through their respective programs.Fire officials taught the students about the Stop, Drop and Roll technique to put out clothes fires, calling 911 in case of an emergency and the Exit Drills In The House, or EDITH.
  
  The fire department held the same programs at Stringfellow Elementary School Thursday and at Cox Elementary School Friday, Cooper said.

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  Moultrie Observer - Clowning around - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 1/11/2007    Last Visited: 1/11/2007  

  Moultrie Fire Department Capt. Lavon Cooper said the fire department is trying to establish a clown program to teach fire safety to younger children.Four firefighters spent a week at the Georgia Firefighter Clown Society in Forsyth to become clowns.
  
  The program was made available through a grant from the Georgia Division of Public Health, Cooper said.
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  Cooper said the Moultrie firefighters trained with other clowns from fire stations throughout Georgia and brought the program to Moultrie.The first time the clowns performed was as part of Fire Prevention Week in November, and Cooper said they have did a good job of teaching the younger kids about fire safety.
  
  "They've done a darn good job this year," Cooper said.

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  Moultrie Observer - Cold weather raises fire risk - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 11/12/2006    Last Visited: 11/12/2006  

  "As the cooler weather approaches," Moultrie Fire Department Fire Marshall Capt. Lavon Cooper said, "the fire department encourages people to service their heating systems.Check to be sure it works properly before use."
  
  Heat sources are the number two most common cause of fire during winter months, Cooper said.Keeping all heating devices maintained and clear of items that can catch on fire are the best way to prevent a fire.
  
  Cooper said keep any combustible materials at least 36 inches away from any heating source.The source should also never be left in a room unattended and away from small children and pets.
  
  Even with a central heating system, there are precautions to take that can prevent a fire, Cooper said.Make sure the system is serviced and maintained by a licensed serviceman annually.
  
  When turning on the heating system for the first time, there is often a smoke smell coming from the vents.Cooper said this is normal, as the dust collected on the unit is burned off, and the smell should be cleared out within a couple of hours.
  
  For those who use a wood heater, such as a fireplace, to warm their homes, Cooper said a person needs to clean the chimneys and flues on an annual basis.Use only dry, seasoned wood in the fire, use a spark screen or cover to prevent hot embers from going out of the fireplace, handle any wood with the proper tools and have a portable fire extinguisher nearby.To clean out the fireplace, dispose of the ashes properly only after they have cooled.
  
  To prevent a fire from spreading out of the chimney, Cooper said to clean roofs of all dry leaves and pine straw.Check the chimney for any gaps or holes where hot embers can escape and go onto the roof.
  
  Cooper said anyone who uses a kerosene heating device should only use A-1 kerosene as fuel and never store the kerosene indoors.When filling a kerosene lamp, fill it outdoors in a well-ventilated area and never fill it while it is hot.
  
  When using an electric space heater, Cooper said to use a UL-listed safe heater and check the electric cord for any damage.Do not use an extension cord with the space heater, and call an authorized service or repairman for any problems with the heater.
  
  Anyone who uses an electric blanket as they go to bed need to be sure and keep moisture away from the blanket, Cooper said.

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