department of fire services

Gloucester Fire Department Offers Cooking Fire Safety Tips

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

Gloucester Fire Department
Eric Smith, Fire Chief
8 School St.
Gloucester, MA 01930

 

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Gloucester Fire Department Offers Cooking Fire Safety Tips

GLOUCESTER — With Thanksgiving on the horizon, Chief Eric Smith and the Gloucester Fire Department wish to offer cooking fire safety tips to residents.

The Gloucester Fire Department is joining the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services in its cooking fire safety campaign this fall, which is promoting the messages “Stand by your pan” to encourage the public to remain vigilant while cooking and “Put a lid on it” to remind those cooking that placing a lid on stove-top fire is the recommended response.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, Thanksgiving is the leading day for home fires, which are most frequently caused by cooking. 

“We wish everyone a happy, fun-filled Thanksgiving holiday this year, and are urging residents to never leave cooking food unattended,” Chief Smith said. “It’s incredibly dangerous to leave anything cooking without supervision, and far too often, it can lead to a fire.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments in the United States are dispatched to approximately 166,100 fires annually involving cooking equipment, such as a stove or microwave. 

The Gloucester Fire Department wishes to offer the following safety tips, courtesy of the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services:

  • In the event of a grease fire, smother flames with a lid and then turn off the heat. Baking soda will also work.
  • Do not move a burning pan, which can spread the fire.
  • Do not throw water or use a fire extinguisher on a grease fire, as water will spread the fire and the extinguisher could splash flaming grease. 
  • Never leave food, grease or oils cooking on the stove top without supervision.
  • Do not wear loose or long sleeves when cooking, as it can catch fire.
  • Strop, drop and roll if your clothing catches fire, run burns under cool water and call 9-1-1 for help.
  • Keep children and pets three feet away from the stove.
  • Do not store or use flammable objects, such as pot holders, towels, paper or plastic bags, near heating elements.
  • If a fire starts in an oven or microwave, close the door, turn the appliance off and call the fire department.
  • Do not put metal inside a microwave.
  • Unplug appliances such as toasters and coffee makers when you are not using them.
  • Do not store items in an oven.

###

For more information, visit www.nfpa.org/cooking. (Courtesy Image National Fire Prevention Association)

Gloucester Fire Department Shares Home Heating Safety Tips

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

Gloucester Fire Department
Eric Smith, Fire Chief
8 School St.
Gloucester, MA 01930

 

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Gloucester Fire Department Shares Home Heating Safety Tips

GLOUCESTER — As the temperature begins to drop this fall, Chief Eric L. Smith and the Gloucester Fire Department wish to share home heating safety tips with residents.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, home heating is the second leading cause of home fires in Massachusetts.

“Unfortunately, this time of year, heating systems pose a serious risk, and we want everyone to take care to make sure they take steps to remain safe this fall and winter,” Chief Smith said. “With Daylight Saving having just ended this weekend, we encourage residents to double check their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and review recommended home heating safety tips.”

The Gloucester Fire Department wishes to share the following winter home heating safety tips from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services:

  • Install and test regularly smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home.
  • Do not use a stove, oven or grill for heat.
  • On an annual basis, furnaces and chimneys should checked by a professional.
  • Make sure to keep appliance vents and exhaust pipes clear of drifting snow and bushes.
  • Practice home fire drills and establish an escape plan with everyone in your household.
  • Practice fire safety and teach children to do the same.
  • If using a fireplace or a solid fuel stove:
    • Have the chimney professionally cleaned on an annual basis.
    • Check that your stove is approved by a national testing agency.
    • Obtain a building permit prior to installing a stove. 
    • Make sure anything capable of burning is three feet away from the stove.
    • Put any ashes in a metal container when disposing of them, and store them away from the house.
  • If you use a space heater:
    • Space heaters should not be used as a primary heating system.
    • Make sure anything capable of burning is kept at least three feet away from the space heater.
    • Never leave a space heater on before falling asleep or going out.
    • It is illegal to use portable kerosene heaters in Massachusetts for the home.
  • When using natural gas to cook and/or heat a home, make sure to maintain that system:
    • On an annual basis, have the furnace and hot water heater professionally checked.
    • Never use or store gasoline or painting equipment indoors where they could be ignited by the pilot light.
    • If you smell something similar to rotten eggs or believe there may be a gas leak, evacuate, do not smoke or turn off electrical switches and call 911. 
  • In order to maintain oil heating systems:
    • On an annual basis, have your boiler professionally cleaned and checked.
    • Do not allow the tank to get completely empty.
    • If the oil burner releases smoke or soot indoors, call for service.

For more fire safety tips and recommendations, visit www.mass.gov/keepwarmkeepsafe.

###

(Image Courtesy United States Fire Administration)

Easton Fire Department Receives Grants to Support Fire Education Programs

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

Easton Fire Department
Kevin Partridge, Fire Chief
413 Bay Road
South Easton, MA 02375

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019

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

Easton Fire Department Receives Grants to Support Fire Education Programs

EASTON — Chief Kevin Partridge is pleased to announce that the Easton Fire Department has been awarded two grants that will help support the department’s ongoing Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) programs.

The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS) awarded the Easton Fire Department grants of $4,354 for its S.A.F.E. Program and an additional $2,600 for its Senior S.A.F.E. Program.

The S.A.F.E. Program is a state initiative designed to provide resources to local fire departments to conduct fire and life safety education programs for children in kindergarten through 12th grade.

The program aims to enable students to recognize fire hazards and teach key safety behaviors that should be used anytime a child comes into contact with a fire. Since the S.A.F.E. program’s inception in 1995, the average annual number of child deaths caused by a fire has fallen by 74 percent in Massachusetts.

Senior S.A.F.E. is a similar program that was created to support fire safety education specifically for older adults, who are most at risk of dying in a fire in Massachusetts. The program builds on the success of the original S.A.F.E. program and helps forge a connection between fire departments and a variety of senior support agencies working in their communities.

The funds will be used to pay for the S.A.F.E. instructors to deliver the program at the town’s schools and to seniors and to purchase educational materials and handouts.

“These funds are vital in helping our department continue our efforts in educating the members of our community about important information that could save someone’s life or prevent injury in the event of a fire,” Chief Partridge said. “Resident safety is one of our top priorities and students and older residents are the most at-risk individuals during a fire. Being able to have our firefighters teach them this life-saving information is something we pride ourselves on and we are thankful to DFS for their support in that regard.”

 

###

Canton Fire Department Provides Outdoor Grilling Safety Tips

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

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

For Immediate Release

Monday, June 4, 2018

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

Canton Fire Department Provides Outdoor Grilling Safety Tips

CANTON — Chief Charles E. Doody would like to provide Canton residents with outdoor grilling safety tips and remind them to be aware around open flames.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, fire departments in the state responded to 487 fires involving grills, hibachis and barbecues between 2012 and 2016. These fires caused 22 civilian injuries, three firefighter injuries and $4.5 million in property damage.

“With warm weather upon us, we know everyone is excited to spend more time outdoors,” Chief Doody said. “While grilling, we urge residents to be cautious and know how to properly operate their grills.”

In order to help prevent grilling fires and ensure residents remain safe while cooking outdoors, Chief Doody recommends the following tips provided by DFS:


Safety First

  • Propane and charcoal grills should only be used outdoors.
  • Place grills away from the house, deck railings and out from under eaves of overhanging branches.
  • Grills should only be used on first floor porches, decks, or patios if there is an outdoor stairway to the ground, or the porch is at ground level.
  • Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the grilling area. Children should never play near grills or propane cylinders.
  • Never leave a burning grill unattended.


Gas Grill Safety

  • Make sure the lid of a gas grill is open when you light it. Propane can build up inside and when ignited, the lid may blow off.
  • Check that all connections are tight before turning on the gas.
  • Clean the grease trap every time you grill.
  • Check the propane tank hose for potential leaks by applying a light soap and water solution to the hose using a brush or spray bottle. See if any bubbles appear around the hose. If no bubbles appear, the grill is safe to use.
  • If you smell gas while cooking, turn the grill off and move away from it. Call 911 from a safe location. Do not move the grill.
  • Store propane cylinders upright in an outdoor, shaded area. Cylinders should not be used, stored or transported where they can be exposed to high temperatures.


Charcoal Grill Safety

  • Use only charcoal starter fluid. Never used gasoline or kerosene to start a fire in a grill and never add lighter fluid to burning briquettes or hot coals.
  • Always use charcoal grills in a well-ventilated area. Charcoal briquettes emit carbon monoxide, which can be deadly.
  • Properly dispose of grill ashes. Allow the coals to burn out completely and then cool for 48 hours before disposal. If you must dispose of ashes before they are completely cooled, thoroughly soak them in water before putting them in a metal container.

Anyone who has questions about grilling safely should contact the Canton Fire Department at 781-821-5095.

###

1 2