Did you know… at ABCO we offer you the opportunity to walk-in to any of our locations for on-demand service. While you wait, our expert technicians will inspect and provide maintenance on the following products:

- Fire Extinguisher Inspection and Maintenance
- High-Pressure Cylinder Testing
- CO2 Recharging
- Breathing Air Recharging

While you wait, our friendly staff can offer you a tour and assist you with any new products you may need for your office or facility.

Here is a map with all of our walk-in locations. If you are unsure about which location serves your geographic area or to find service hours per location give us a call at 1.800.875.7200.

Come on in and check us out!

This week is National Arson Awareness Week. The theme this year is Prevent Youth Firesetting and the goal is to focus on the importance of collaborative efforts to reduce the occurrence of youth engaging with fire.

According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), fires started by children playing accounted for an average of 56,300 fires with associated losses of 110 civilian deaths, 880 civilian injuries and $286 million in direct property damage per year between 2005 and 2009. It is important that parents teach their children that fire is a tool, not a toy. Also teach them fire safety and never leave matches or lighters within reach.

Arson is the second leading cause of death by fire in the United States – topped only by smoking. Here are some tips to protect you and your family:

-   Regularly inspect your home for fire hazards.
-   Install and maintain working smoke alarms throughout your home.
-   Plan and practice home fire-escape drills.
-   Install residential fire sprinklers in your home.

Arson robs communities of valuable assets, lives and property. Learn more about how you can follow a neighborhood watch five-step program model to help prevent arson in your community here.

For more information watch this year’s public service video or visit FEMA or NFPA.

In our last blog, we saw Smokey from the time of origin through the 1960’s.  We saw his first board game, called Smokey; his stamps with the famous quote “Smokey’s friends don’t play with matches”; his first plush bear, and more! Let’s see what he was up to in the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s.

1970 – Gold Key Comic produced 13 different comics surrounding Smokey the Bear. This is the first.

1973 – A poster that was part of Smokey’s campaign to prevent forest fires.

1977 – This bank was made by R. Dakin & Co in Korea. The plastic bank has a movable head and right arm with a removable plus in its base.

1980 – Chevrolet Blazer 4×4 Safety Stars Toy Car

1980 – This Junior Forest Ranger Handbook was originally produced by the US Forest Service in 1960 and then again in 1980.

1984 – Smokey’s 40th Birthday

1994 – This Bear was issued by JJ Wind for the 50th Smokey Anniversary. Made in Indonesia, it was also available without the beautiful box.

1994 – 50th Anniversary cup. This same logo was also printed on tall glasses, baseballs and other items for Smokey’s 50th Birthday.

1994 – Smokey with Snoopy

2001 – Smokey’s Campaign continues.

2004 – Avertisment

2008

There you have it–Smokey the Bear’s journey from the 1940’2 through the 2000′s. If there is one thing that has been made clear from this journey, it is that “ONLY you can prevent wildfires.” For a more in depth look at the history of Smokey the Bear, and for more information, please visit:  http://www.smokeybear.com/. You can also follow Smokey on Facebook and Twitter! http://www.facebook.com/smokeybear and http://twitter.com/#!/smokey_bear

Only YOU can prevent wildfires! Heard that one before? If so, it is probably because it is the longest running service campaign in U.S. history. Our beloved Smokey the Bear has been out there teaching us how to prevent wildfires since the 1940’s. Let’s take a look at his journey.

1940 – Federal and State Forest Service Stamps

1943 – Bookmark from Pre-Smokey Bear Forest Fire Campaign
Directly tied to the World War II effort.

1948 – US and State Forest Stamp

1950 – Forest Fire: A True Story of our Forests by Smokey The Forest Fire Preventing Bear

1952 – Smokey the Bear on the cover of Newsweek

1959 – This is a very rare Spanish version of the 3rd Dell comic, featuring Smokey the Bear

1960 – Smokey’s Friends don’t play with matches, stamp series

1961 – Smokey Board game made by Ideal

1962 – Smokey gets married! Invitation, Washington DC

1967 – This is a 13″ Ideal Plush Bear in original box. The plush bear was issued starting in 1967. The box is the same as the 12″ but bear is 1″ taller.

Stay tuned for Smokey the Bear, 70′s through present!