fire safety

Massachusetts Call Volunteer Firefighters Association Encourages Families to Practice Home Fire Drills

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Massachusetts Call Volunteer Firefighters Association
Kevin Connolly, President

For Immediate Release

Friday, Oct. 11, 2019

Media Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Massachusetts Call Volunteer Firefighters Association Encourages Families to Practice Home Fire Drills

HADLEY — The Massachusetts Call Volunteer Firefighters Association (MCVFA) would like to remind residents to plan and practice a home escape plan and ensure everyone in their household knows the appropriate actions to take in the event of a fire.

As part of National Fire Prevention Week, homeowners are encouraged to not only prepare a home escape plan, but to practice the plan as if it were a real-life fire emergency.

According to Ready, the national emergency preparedness campaign by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a small flame can turn into a major fire in less than 30 seconds, and it only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house or for it to be engulfed in flames, which makes being able to get out as fast as possible even more important.

Ready recommends practicing your home fire escape plan at least twice per year. To hold a home fire drill, push the smoke alarm button and have everyone use their escape routes to get quickly to your family’s agreed upon meeting place.

“The goal of holding a home fire drill is to make sure everyone knows how to get out of the house and can do so quickly,” MCVFA President Kevin Connolly said. “While kids do fire drills in school, many families don’t practice getting out of their house. Practicing an exit plan enough for it to become second nature can very well save a life if a fire occurs.”

MCVFA recommends the following tips from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to put your home escape plan to the test:

  • Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one.
  • Hold one family fire drill during the day when everyone is awake and a second drill at night when children are asleep to see how they will respond. It’s important to determine during the drill whether children and others will be woken up by the sound of the smoke alarm. If they fail to wake up, make sure someone is assigned to wake them up as part of the drill and in a real emergency situation.
  • Always choose the escape route that is safest – the one with the least amount of smoke and heat – but be prepared to escape under smoke if necessary. Everyone in the family should practice getting low and going under the smoke to your exit.
  • Make sure everyone in your household can open all doors and windows. Everyone should know to check the door for heat with the back of their hand. If the door feels cool, open it slowly. Do not open a hot door.
  • Close doors on the way out. Closing doors slows the spread of fire, giving you more time to safely escape.
  • Make sure everyone goes to your meeting place during the fire drill.
  • In some cases, smoke or fire may prevent you from exiting your home. To prepare for an emergency like this, practice “sealing yourself in for safety” as part of your home fire escape plan. Close all doors between you and the fire. Use duct tape or towels to seal the door cracks and cover air vents to keep smoke from coming in. Call the fire department to report your exact location. Wave a flashlight or light-colored cloth at the window to let firefighters know where you are located.

After a drill, make any necessary adjustments to your plan. Make sure your family knows that in a real fire they should call 911 from outside and once they get out, they need to stay out.

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Berkley Fire Department Offers Safety Tips During National Fire Prevention Week

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Berkley Fire & Rescue
Scott Fournier, Chief
5 N Main St.
Berkley, MA 02779

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-742-3922
Email: [email protected]

Berkley Fire Department Offers Safety Tips During National Fire Prevention Week

 

BERKLEY — With National Fire Prevention Week kicking off over the weekend, Chief Scott Fournier and the Berkley Fire Department would like to remind residents about safety precautions to take to prevent house fires and the appropriate actions to take in the event of a fire.

National Fire Prevention Week, organized by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) begins this year on Sunday, Oct. 6 and ends on Saturday, Oct. 12. The annual campaign seeks to educate and provide the public with valuable safety recommendations and steps they can take to prevent possible fires and react properly in the event of a fire.

The theme of the 2019 National Fire Prevention Week is “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!” in an effort to remind people of the critical importance of creating and practicing an escape plan should a fire start.

According to the NFPA, a person may only have a two-minute window to escape from a fire after a smoke alarm is activated.

“There are many ways that families can better fire-proof their home, and National Fire Prevention Week is a great opportunity for residents of all ages to review and implement these simple steps,” Chief Fournier said. “From updating smoke alarms to practicing a fire escape plan, emergency preparedness can give people piece of mind or could save a life if a fire does occur.” 

The Berkley Fire Department wishes to share the following safety tips provided by NFPA:

Home Fire Escape Planning and Practice

  • Create a home escape plan, and make a map. Share that plan with all members of your household. Designate a minimum of two ways to get out of each room, if possible.
  • Teach children how they can escape, should they need to get out of the home on their own.
  • Make sure all doors and windows to the outdoors are easy to open.
  • Designate an outside meeting place a safe distance away from the home where everyone in your household should meet in the event of a fire.
  • Practice a fire drill at home with your entire household, once at night and once during the day time, twice a year. Make sure everyone in your household practices using different routes to exit your home.
  • In the event of a fire and while practicing fire drills, close doors behind you as you leave.
  • If you are evacuating and there is smoke, get low and proceed beneath the smoke.
  • If the smoke alarm sounds, exit the building and call 911 once you are outside the building. Never go back inside while the fire is ongoing.

Smoke Alarms

  • Smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and death in a fire. Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.
  • Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button.
  • Make sure everyone in the home understands the sound of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond.

Cooking

  • Unattended cooking is the leading cause of fires in the kitchen. Always stay in the kitchen when you are frying, boiling, grilling or broiling food. If you are simmering, baking, slow cooking or roasting food, check it regularly and do not leave the home while food is cooking.
  • Keep anything that can catch fire away from your stove top.

Heating

  • Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires during the winter months. Space heaters are most often involved in home heating equipment fires.
  • All heaters need space. Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from heating equipment.
  • Have a 3-foot (1-meter) “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
  • Purchase and use only portable space heaters listed by a qualified testing laboratory.
  • Have a qualified professional install heating equipment.
  • Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional at least once a year.

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Easton Fire Department Offers Safety Tips During National Fire Prevention Week

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

For Immediate Release

Monday, Oct. 7, 2019

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

Easton Fire Department Offers Safety Tips During National Fire Prevention Week

EASTON — With National Fire Prevention Week kicking off this weekend, Chief Kevin Partridge and the Easton Fire Department would like to remind residents about safety precautions to take to prevent house fires and the appropriate actions to take in the event of a fire.

National Fire Prevention Week, organized by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) begins this year on Sunday, Oct. 6 and ends on Saturday, Oct. 12. The annual campaign seeks to educate and provide the public with valuable safety recommendations and steps they can take to prevent possible fires and react properly in the event of a fire.

The theme of the 2019 National Fire Prevention Week is “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!” in an effort to remind people of the critical importance of creating and practicing an escape plan should a fire start.

According to the NFPA, a person may only have a two-minute window to escape from a fire after a smoke alarm is activated.

“I want to thank all of the people that came to our open house event over the weekend. We had a great time getting to know some residents better and enjoyed seeing how much fun the kids were having,” Chief Partridge said. “Fire Prevention Week serves as a reminder to residents and families to take steps to prepare themselves for the event of a fire or emergency.”

The Easton Fire Department wishes to share the following safety tips provided by NFPA:

Home Fire Escape Planning and Practice

  • Create a home escape plan, and make a map. Share that plan with all members of your household. Designate a minimum of two ways to get out of each room, if possible.
  • Teach children how they can escape, should they need to get out of the home on their own.
  • Make sure all doors and windows to the outdoors are easy to open.
  • Designate an outside meeting place a safe distance away from the home where everyone in your household should meet in the event of a fire.
  • Practice a fire drill at home with your entire household, once at night and once during the day time, twice a year. Make sure everyone in your household practices using different routes to exit your home.
  • In the event of a fire and while practicing fire drills, close doors behind you as you leave.
  • If you are evacuating and there is smoke, get low and proceed beneath the smoke.
  • If the smoke alarm sounds, exit the building and call 911 once you are outside the building. Never go back inside while the fire is ongoing.

Smoke Alarms

  • Smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and death in a fire. Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.
  • Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button.
  • Make sure everyone in the home understands the sound of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond.

Cooking

  • Unattended cooking is the leading cause of fires in the kitchen. Always stay in the kitchen when you are frying, boiling, grilling or broiling food. If you are simmering, baking, slow cooking or roasting food, check it regularly and do not leave the home while food is cooking.
  • Keep anything that can catch fire away from your stove top.

Heating

  • Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires during the winter months. Space heaters are most often involved in home heating equipment fires.
  • All heaters need space. Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from heating equipment.
  • Have a 3-foot (1-meter) “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
  • Purchase and use only portable space heaters listed by a qualified testing laboratory.
  • Have a qualified professional install heating equipment.
  • Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional at least once a year.

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Massachusetts Call Volunteer Firefighters Association Offers Chimney Safety Tips in Conjunction With Fire Prevention Week

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Massachusetts Call Volunteer Firefighters Association
Kevin Connolly, President

For Immediate Release

Monday, Oct. 7, 2019

Media Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Massachusetts Call Volunteer Firefighters Association Offers Chimney Safety Tips in Conjunction With Fire Prevention Week

HADLEY — The Massachusetts Call Volunteer Firefighters Association (MCFVA) would like to offer residents safety tips for maintaining chimneys and preventing chimney fires in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) declared Sunday, Sept. 29 through Saturday, Oct. 5 National Chimney Safety Week 2019. Occurring the week before National Fire Prevention Week, Chimney Safety Week is an opportunity to remind homeowners of the dangers of chimney fires and the importance of annual chimney inspections.

According to the most recent data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there was an estimated average of 22,300 fireplace or chimney fires between 2012 and 2014.

“Some chimney fires go undetected which can lead to a damaging outcome and can negatively impact the safe operation of your chimney,” MCVFA President Kevin Connolly said. “With cold weather coming, now is a good time for residents to ensure they are following proper maintenance recommendations and having their chimneys cleaned annually.”

Homeowners are encouraged to use resources provided by the Chimney Safety Institute of America and the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services to educate themselves about chimney safety.

How To Prevent a Chimney Fire:

  • Have your chimney cleaned annually by a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep. Dirty chimneys can cause chimney fires.
  • Have your chimney inspected annually even if you don’t use your chimney often.  A chimney inspection can help prevent carbon monoxide and chimney fires and can identify potential system issues to address them before they become dangerous or costly.
  • Ensure there are no prior damages to your chimney that may impact its ability to work safely.
  • Be sure to properly dispose of ashes from chimneys and stoves.
  • Be sure that the damper of the chimney is open before lighting a fire.
  • Use a fireplace screen to prevent flying sparks and embers from falling out onto the floor.
  • Install and maintain smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

Signs of a Chimney Damaged by a Chimney Fire:

  • “Puffy” or “honey combed” creosote
  • Warped metal of the damper, metal smoke chamber connector pipe or factory-built metal chimney
  • Cracked or collapsed flue tiles, or tiles with large chunks missing
  • Discolored and/or distorted rain cap
  • Heat-damaged TV antenna attached to the chimney
  • Creosote flakes and pieces found on the roof or ground
  • Roofing material damaged from hot creosote
  • Cracks in exterior masonry
  • Evidence of smoke escaping through mortar joints of masonry or tile liners

Operating a chimney that has previously experienced a fire is a safety risk. If you have suspect that your chimney has been impacted by fire, call a certified sweep to assess damages and make recommendations for repairs make sure your chimney is safe.

Chimney fires can burn intensely and can spread to other parts of a house.​ Many chimney fires are slow-burning and may not get enough air or fuel to be visible. However, slow-burning fires can reach very high temperatures and can cause extensive damage to a chimney’s structure or other parts of the house.

If you or a family member hear loud cracking or popping noises, see dense smoke or notice an intense, hot smell coming from your chimney, call 911 immediately.

About MCVFA: 

The MCVFA promotes the welfare of Massachusetts Call and Volunteer Fire/EMS companies and their members. Established in 1990 we have grown from 14 departments to more than 130 fire and emergency services organizations representing over 3,400 members. For more, visit the MCVFA website at mcvfa.org.

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