Fire/Boating Safety

IMPORTANT EMERGENCY NUMBERS LISTED BELOW

Let's be safe at sea!

Water is second nature to the residents of Bimini. Boating for recreation, subsistence or commercial fishing is common to most islands in The Bahamas and Bimini is no exception.

Each year hundreds of foreign boats make Bimini a port of call. As the closest island to the North American continent pleasure boaters, both power and sail, make Bimini a popular and busy destination. But, Biminites also enjoy the water that surrounds their island. However, too frequently people from Bimini find themselves "lost at sea" as their boat engine has failed them and they are adrift in the ocean. This is an all too frequent live-threatening occurrence that can be avoided.

A police officer of the Bimini Marine Unit, conducts a courtesy check on boaters in the Bimini area to ensure proper safety equipment are on-board vessels.

check this out!

http://www.boatingsidekicks.com/kidsite/06contest-index800.htm

TEN SMART BOATING SAFTEY TIPS

1. BE SURE YOUR BOAT IS SEA WORTHY.

2. BE SURE YOUR ENGINE WORKS PROPERLY.

3. BE SURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH FUEL.

4. ALWAYS TAKE A FULLY CHARGED VHF RADIO WITH YOU.

5. ALWAYS HAVE WATER ON BOARD IN CASE YOU GO ADRIFT.

6. CARRY A MIRROR, FISHING LINE AND GEAR ON THE BOAT.

7. CARRY ENOUGH LIFE JACKETS FOR EACH PASSENGER.

8. LET PEOPLE ON SHORE KNOW WHERE YOU ARE   GOING AND WHEN YOU EXPECT TO COME BACK IN.

9. REMEMBER THAT CELL PHONES MAY NOT WORK WHEN FAR FROM SHORE. CARRY A VHF RADIO. REMEMBER THE U.S. COAST GUARD MONITORS THE INTERNATIONAL EMERGENCY CHANNEL 16.  BIMINI POLICE MONITOR VHF 16/68.

10. CARRY AN ANCHOR. CARRY A PADDLE.

LOST AT SEA?

IS SOMEONE MISSING?

Call 919

and also call

USCG Miami 305 415 6800

Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association BASRA

Nassau 242 322 3877 or 325 8864 or 322 7412

Grand Bahama  242 352 2628

United States Coast Guard (Miami)  305 415 6800

Water Safety for our Kidz

Children should never go to the sea without an adult. Accidents can quickly take place and the fast action of an adult can safe a child's life.

Take your children to the beach. Watch them carefully.

If you have several children going into the water set them up in pairs and have them  look out for each other.

Rough play in the sea can lead to tragedy. Children, even adults, can drown in shallow water. When a child accidentally gulps a mouthful of water he or she can quickly become frightened and panic. That can lead to drowning.

If your child is going anywhere in a boat be sure they wear a life jacket.



FIRE SAFETY PREVENTION AND AWARENESS

www.sparky.org
 

Received in 2009, Bimini's new fire engine is able to navigate all the island's narrow streets. Here Police Fire Officer George Armbrister stands next to the appliance which was donated to Bimini by Bimini Bay Resort and Marina.

Each year in The Bahamas fire destroys lives and property. Bimini has sustained several serious fires over the past ten years which have left many families homeless. Fire is no friend when it is out of control. Most Bahamians do not have adequate insurance to replace the cost of a home destroyed by fire and nothing can replace the life of a loved one killed in a blaze.

The Compleat Angler Hotel burned completely on January 13, 2006, destroying one of Bimini's most famous landmarks. The Bimini volunteers did their best to stop the blaze but it was out of control. They did save a house next to the hotel.  The smoke alarms in the hotel awakened the sole guest so he exited without injury. Sadly, Bimini resident Julian Brown, a former Olympic athlete(1960) and one of the proprietors, was killed in the blaze.

THE COMPLEAT ANGLER HOTEL BURNS IN 2006 

FIRE: CALL 919

 

Image Design CHECKLEY

Information On Fire Equipment and Fire Fighting History

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_apparatus

 

PARENTS TAKE NOTE!!

Parents and guardians need to hold actual home fire drills so that if there is a fire everyone knows how to escape quickly and where everyone should meet once outside. Meeting outside the home designated spot is very important. This way everyone can be sure that everyone is safely out of the burning house.

Smoke detectors are very inexpensive and can save lives. Does your home have one? Most smoke detectors cost less than $20 and are battery operated. if you have a smoke detector check the battery every month!

INSTALL A SMOKE DETECTOR!

IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE.

 

FACT: SMOKE FROM A FIRE KILLS MORE PEOPLE THAN THE FLAMES!

Even a home built of concrete blocks can have a fire.

Outside fires used for burning trash and brush need to be watched carefully. A fire can quickly spread and overtake a large area.

Children MUST not be permitted to get close to any fire. They need to know the dangers of playing with matches, lighters and candles.

FIREWORKS CAUSE INJURIES EVERY YEAR. Fireworks and fire-crackers should not be in the hands of children. Eye injuries can leave your child blind or visually impaired. Children are excited by fire and especially by fire-works. This results in their excitement overtaking their thinking. They don't think about the dangers and suddenly there is an accident. Parents and adults need to do the thinking!

BIMINI HAS HAD SEVERAL DEVASTATING FIRES WITHIN THE PAST FEW YEARS --- PEOPLE WERE LEFT HOMELESS AND JOBLESS.  FIRE CAN OFTEN BE PREVENTED! DO YOUR PART -- DON'T GIVE FIRE A PLACE TO START.

Here is a useful link for our kids to learn more about fire safety. Also a great tool for parents and teachers.

 

Kids...try this site:

www.sparky.org