Public Safety: Sparky Joins the Team!

By Lisa M. Grisham, CPSTI

 

Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES) has a new member of the Community Risk Reduction Team: Sparky the Fire Dog! Sparky was welcomed to CCFES in mid-May and will be assisting with fire prevention and education throughout Cherokee County. Look for him at community events, local elementary schools, and Pre-Ks.

“We are thrilled to have such an energetic, passionate, and experienced pup to help spread the messages of fire prevention. Sparky is the hero of fire safety for our department and community,” said Chief Eddie Robinson.

Sparky the Fire Dog is the beloved mascot for the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and has been working diligently to prevent fires since 1951. Even though he’s not a young pup, he still has tons of energy and passion when it comes to fire safety.

Of course, Sparky has some great tips for the “DOG” days of summer:

• Take safety with you. When vacationing, “know before you go, and check it out once you get there.” Look for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and make an escape plan when you arrive.
• If pets are traveling with you, make sure they are part of the escape plan. Make an evacuation kit for each pet that is easily accessible and lightweight.
• Never go back inside a burning home for a pet. Let the firefighters know there is an animal inside.
• Supervision is key with little ones. Always have eyes on the situation in a new place or by the pool, lake, or beach.
• If visitors are coming to see you, make sure they know the plan in case of fire.
• Attend professional fireworks shows and keep sparklers away from children. Sparklers burn hotter than other fireworks and can cause serious injury.
• Grilling should always be done outdoors. Set a 3-foot perimeter around the grill while in use.
• Never leave the grill unattended and don’t place it too close to the house.
• Cherokee County is under a burn ban until October 1. However, recreational fires where only logs or clean wood are being burned for pleasure, religious ceremonial, cooking, warmth, or similar purposes are allowed year-round, but the total fuel area cannot exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height with a minimum of 25 feet from all structures. No garbage or yard waste can be burned during these types of fires. Recreational fires should be constantly attended and completely extinguished when done enjoying them.
• Check your smoke alarms once a month to make sure the battery is still good. Replace the batteries once a year (unless you have the 10-year lithium battery version). Replace your smoke alarm every 10 years.

 

Sparky has his own website where kids can find fun activities and videos. Visit Sparky.org to see what he’s up to. Be on the lookout for him around the county and make sure you say “hello,” but don’t feed him treats. Cherokee Fire & Emergency Services welcomes our new furry friend and hopes he will be with with us for many years to come.

For more information on fire safety, visit CherokeeCountyFire.com or NFPA.com. For further questions about fire prevention and fire safety, you can reach the Community Risk Reduction Team by calling 678-493-6290 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..