Canton Fire Department

Canton Fire Department Warns Residents About Unsafe Ice Conditions

⋅ Client News, Fire News ⋅ , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Canton Fire Department
Chief Charles E. Doody
99 Revere St.
Canton, MA 02021

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Canton Fire Department Warns Residents About Unsafe Ice Conditions

CANTON — With multiple ice rescues in the state yesterday, Chief Charles E. Doody would like to warn Canton residents to avoid unsafe ice conditions and remind people that ice rinks are the only places considered safe to skate.

Though temperatures have been on the colder side recently, Canton officials warn that at this time it has not been cold enough for long enough to make it safe to walk, skate or fish on the ice in any waterway in Canton.

As a policy, the Canton Fire Department does not certify whether any bodies of water are safe to use for recreational purposes. Those who do choose to go out on ice, like on Reservoir Pond, should stay away from all ice in the area of open water, flowing water or where the ice looks slushy or thin. 

Chief Doody and the Canton Fire Department offer the following general ice safety guidelines to all residents:

Thin Ice:

The Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs says ice should always be measured in multiple places before testing it with your weight. Ice 2 inches thick or less should be avoided completely.

Ice with a depth of 4 inches or more is considered safe for ice fishing or other activities on foot. Five inches of ice is recommended for snowmobiles or ATVs. Eight to 12 inches is necessary for a small car, while 12 to 15 inches of ice is necessary for trucks.

General Ice and Cold Water Safety:

  • Never go onto ice alone. A friend may be able to rescue you or go for help if you fall through the ice.
  • Always keep your pets on a leash. If a pet falls through the ice, do not attempt a rescue. Call 911 instead.
  • New ice is usually stronger than old ice. As the ice ages, the bond between the crystals decay, making it weaker, even if melting has not occurred.
  • Beware of ice covered with snow. Snow can insulate ice and keep it strong, but can also insulate it to keep it from freezing.
  • Slush is a danger sign, indicating that ice is no longer freezing from the bottom and can be weak or deteriorating.
  • Ice formed over flowing water (rivers or lakes containing a large number of springs) is generally weaker than pond ice.
  • Ice seldom freezes or thaws at a uniform rate. It can be one foot thick in one spot and be only 1 inch thick 10 feet away.

What To Do If Someone Falls Through Ice:

  • Reach-Throw-Go: If someone falls through the ice and you are unable to reach that person from shore, try to throw them something (rope, jumper cables, tree branch, etc.) If this does not work, call 911 and get away from the ice before you also become a victim. Get medical assistance for the victim immediately.
  • If you fall in, try not to panic. Turn toward the direction you came from. Place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface, working forward by kicking your feet. Once out, remain lying on the ice (do not stand) and roll away from the hole. Crawl back to your tracks, keeping your weight distributed until you return to solid ice.

###

Canton Fire Chief Reminds Residents of Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips

⋅ Client News, Fire News ⋅ , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Canton Fire Department
Chief Charles E. Doody
99 Revere St.
Canton, MA 02021

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Canton Fire Chief Reminds Residents of Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips

CANTON – With temperatures expected to drop below freezing in the coming weeks and months, Chief Charles Doody is reminding Canton residents to follow important carbon monoxide safety tips.

Known also as the “invisible killer,” carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, tasteless and poisonous gas produced whenever any fuel is burned, such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal. Other sources of CO include furnaces and water heaters, chimneys, wood stoves, grills, camping stoves, gas ovens and gas snow removal or yard equipment machines.

“If your CO detectors go off, do not stay inside the house,” Chief Doody said. “Leave the house immediately and call 911 from outside or from a neighbor’s house. Opening windows and doors can be helpful, but in the event of a leak the best thing to do is go outside to the fresh air.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year, at least 430 people die and approximately 50,000 people visit the emergency room as a result of accidental CO poisoning in the United States.

Exposure to carbon monoxide can produce flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, confusion, fainting, unconsciousness, and in serious cases, can be fatal. If you suspect you have be exposed to CO, get out of the house and call the fire department from a cell phone or a neighbor’s house. If you experience any symptoms associated with CO poisoning, seek medical attention immediately.

The Canton Fire Department recommends that residents follow these safety procedures outlined by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services:

  • Before the heating season every year, have a qualified service technician inspect your appliances.
  • Check vent pipes, flues and chimneys for leaks or blockages.
  • Always make sure furnace and dryer exhaust vents are clear of snow.
  • Use care when shoveling out vehicles, and be sure the tail pipe and undercarriage are free of snow before turning on the engine.
  • Don’t leave a vehicle running inside a garage, even if the door is open. Fumes will quickly build up inside a home if the two spaces are connected.
  • Never use a charcoal grill or gasoline-powered engines (generators, chain saws, blowers, weed trimmers, mowers, or snow blowers) indoors or near doors or windows.
  • Place grills and generators outside, facing away from doors, windows and vents.
  • Do not use a gas oven to heat your home.
  • Install carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home within 10 feet of bedrooms. Do not place a CO alarm in a garage or near the stove or fireplace. Always install an alarm according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
  • Locate CO alarms near bedrooms so family members will wake up if the alarm goes off at night. Alarms should be kept away from open windows or doors, excessively hot, cold or damp areas and “dead-air spaces,” such as corners of rooms and peaks of ceilings.
  • To ensure that carbon monoxide alarms are functioning properly, they should be replaced every five to seven years according to directions. After a prolonged power outage, back-up batteries should be checked.

For more information about carbon monoxide poisoning, visit the Department of Fire Services website.

###

Canton Firefighter Graduates from Massachusetts Firefighting Academy

⋅ Client News, Fire News ⋅ , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Canton Fire Department
Chief Charles E. Doody
99 Revere St.
Canton, MA 02021

For Immediate Release

Monday, Nov. 19, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Canton Firefighter Graduates from Massachusetts Firefighting Academy

CANTON — Chief Charles E. Doody is pleased to announce that a Canton firefighter graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy today.

Firefighter Michael White, age 29, was among 38 firefighters from 28 fire departments to graduate from the academy’s 268th class. Graduates were recognized at a ceremony at the Department of Fire Services headquarters in Stow.

The 10-week program teaches the essentials of fire and non-fire conditions, life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation and fire attack. Firefighter White is now certified at the level of Firefighter I and II and in hazardous materials first responder operation.

Firefighter White is a native of Canton and has a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Bridgewater State College. He is also licensed emergency medical technician and has worked as a paraprofessional in the Boston Public Schools working with students with disabilities.

Firefighter White carries on the tradition of working in the fire service, following in the footsteps of his uncle, Capt. Jack White, who worked for the North Attleborough Fire Department.

“Everyone at the department is very proud of Firefighter White for successfully completing this extensive training program,” Chief Doody said. “I am confident that he will be a valuable asset to the Canton Fire Department and our town.”

The other 37 graduates represented the fire departments of Acton, Burlington, Chelsea, Danvers, East Bridgewater, Fairhaven, Fitchburg, Gardner, Gloucester, Hanover, Haverhill, Hingham, Hopkinton, Maynard, Methuen, Newton, North Andover, Norwell, Randolph, Scituate, Seekonk, Walpole, Wayland, Wellfleet, West Bridgewater, Westford and Weymouth.

The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy:

At the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, firefighter recruits learn a wide range of skills in an intensive 10-week program. Certified and more experienced firefighters lead classroom instruction, physical fitness training, firefighter skills training and firefighting practice. Students are given training in public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management, confined space rescue techniques and rappelling. Upon successful completion of the Recruit Program, all students have met national standards of National Fire Protection Association 1001.

###

Canton Fire Department Offers Holiday Cooking Safety Tips

⋅ Client News, Fire News ⋅ , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Canton Fire Department
Chief Charles E. Doody
99 Revere St.
Canton, MA 02021

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Canton Fire Department Offers Holiday Cooking Safety Tips

CANTON — As residents prepare for their Thanksgiving festivities next week, Fire Chief Charles E. Doody and the Canton Fire Department would like to urge everyone to be extra cautious when preparing meals for family and friends.

“Thanksgiving should be a happy time for loved ones to come together and celebrate, and we hope residents will be careful when cooking,” Chief Doody said. “Please consider these tips, and double-check that all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are functioning properly so that you will be notified in the event of an emergency.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving is the leading day for U.S. home cooking fires and the day before Thanksgiving marks the second-leading day for home cooking fires.

Between 2011 and 2015, U.S. fire departments responded to an annual average of 170,200 home structure fires involving cooking equipment, which resulted in 510 civilian fire deaths, 5,470 civilian fire injuries, and $1.2 billion in direct property damage. Unattended cooking was, by far, the leading contributing factor in these fires and fire fatalities.

To avoid tragedy this season, Chief Doody recommends residents follow several safety tips outlined by the NFPA:

  • Stay in the kitchen when cooking to keep a close eye on the food, especially when frying and sauteing with oil.
  • Use a timer to keep track of cooking times, most notably when preparing a meal for several hours, like roasting a turkey or baking a roast. Check the stove or oven frequently. Consider putting timers in different rooms so that you can hear them over music, football games, and party chatter.
  • Stay alert and focused when cooking. To help minimize the risk of injury, avoid cooking when drinking alcohol or if you’re sleepy.
  • Keep things that can catch fire like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers and towels away from the cooking area.
  • Kids should stay 3 feet away from stove tops, as well as from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, or gravy could cause serious burns.

Additionally, the NFPA discourages the use of turkey fryers, as the amount and high temperature of the oil used can cause serious burns and injuries, and result in the destruction of property.

Residents who would like more information on holiday cooking safety should contact the Canton Fire Department at 781-821-5095.

###

1 2 3 4 5 >»