Virginia Congressman Eric Cantor has one. So does Richmond Mayor, L. Douglas Wilder. Nine members of City Council asked for one, and Ms. Johnson on North Avenue had hers before many of these leaders. What do these people have? A Richmond Fire Department “Safety Stick."

The “Safety Stick” is a square, plastic walking stick in bright colors and embossed with a fire safety message. One side reads “Home Fire Safety” and lists the phone number for all of department's home safety programs. Another side has the slogan for this campaign “Portable Heaters Need Space - Keep Three Feet From Heat." The third side features a yardstick measure to help residents maintain the 36 inches of clearance between portable heaters and combustible materials as recommended by the National Fire Protection Association.

The first 1,000 “Safety Sticks” were purchased with fire department funds and cost about $3 each including freight. The department has received funding for an additional 1,000 and is working with several other organizations that have expressed interest in providing funding for some of the remaining 3,000.

The “Safety Stick” campaign was the brainchild of Richmond Fire Chief Robert A. Creecy, who recognized the direct relationship higher heating costs would have with the increased use of alternative heating sources and the likelihood of additional tragedy as more residents than ever would be turning to these heating sources to stay warm.

Alternative heating sources such as portable kerosene, electric and propane heaters, and wood and coal stoves caused only 25% oF home heating fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association, but were responsible for 74% of the deaths. In 2004, two Richmond residents lost their lives and numerous others were injured in residential incidents involving portable heating sources. The number-one cause of these fires was human error in the operation of the portable heater and/or its being placed too close to combustible materials.

For more information about this story or the Richmond Fire Department’s Home Heating Campaign contact Lt. Keith Vida at 804 646-6640.