Fire Marshal urges you to make safety part of your holiday celebrations

STOW, MAFrom Mass Department of Fire Services: Fire officials urge people to make fire safety an important part of planning for their holiday celebrations. The days with the most residential fires in Massachusetts are Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. “Firefighters are not the kind of guests you want during the winter holidays, so please make fire safety part of your celebrations,” said State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey. “Start by making sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home,” he said.

Cooking Leading Cause
Ostroskey said, “Cooking is the leading cause of fires in the home and the holiday season is no exception. It is important to remember two key things: Stand by Your Pan to prevent cooking fires and to Put a Lid on It if one does occur.” “Leaving cooking unattended, even for a minute, is the leading cause of fires,” said Ostroskey. When baking, use a timer, and stay nearby.

    • On December 30, 2017 at 6:37 p.m., the Melrose Fire Department was called to a cooking fire in two-family home. There were no injuries. Alarms were present but did not operate because of a missing battery. The building did not have sprinklers. The total estimated dollar loss was $25,000.

Heating Second Leading Cause of Holiday Season Fires
Heating is the second leading cause of home fires during the holiday season. “Keep warm and keep safe by having the furnace and chimney checked by professionals, and when heating with wood, dispose of the ashes in a lidded metal ashcan outside the home,” reminded Ostroskey. A single ember can stay hot and undetected for days. Use the three-foot rule and keep combustibles, like holiday decorations, three feet away from heat sources.

    • On December 14, 2017, at 7:47 p.m., the Oxford Fire Department responded to a fatal heating fire at a single-family home. A woodstove in the first floor living room started the fire. The victim was a 93-year old woman. Two firefighters were injured at this fire. It was undetermined if there were alarms and the building did not have any sprinklers. Damages were estimated to be $215,000.
    • On December 16, 2017, at 6:22 a.m., the Holliston Fire Department was called to a heating fire in a single-family home. The homeowners were using a woodstove and the fire started in the chimney. There were no injuries. Smoke alarms were present and alerted the occupants. The building had no fire sprinklers. The total estimated dollar loss from this fire was $325,000.

Heating Leading Source of CO in the Home
Heating is also the leading cause of carbon monoxide poisoning in the home. A Wales man recently died and his wife was seriously injured when they were overcome by the invisible fumes from a coal stove. The carbon monoxide alarm was found on a kitchen countertop with no batteries. Both smoke and CO alarms are required in all Massachusetts homes, but they have to be working to alert people to danger.

Burn Candles inside a 1-Foot Circle of Safety
State Fire Marshal Ostroskey said, “Many of the holidays celebrated at this time of year use candles. Sadly, the increased candle use at this time of year also causes a boost in candle fires.” Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are among the December days when the most candle fires occur. Consider using battery-operated candles instead, especially if you have children or pets.

    • On Christmas Eve, December 24, 2017, at 11:13 a.m., the Boston Fire Department was called to a candle fire in a basement bedroom in a single-family home. The candle ignited a nearby holiday decoration. No one was injured at this fire. Smoke alarms were not present and the home was not sprinklered. Damages from this fire were estimated to be $150,000.
    • On December 28, 2017, at 3:55 p.m., the Fitchburg Fire Department responded to a candle fire in an 8-unit apartment building. A candle ignited the partition wall in the living room. No one was injured at this fire. Smoke alarms were present and alerted the occupants. The building did not have fire sprinklers. Damages from this fire were estimated to be $1,000.

Christmas Tree Safety Tips
Although Christmas tree fires are rare these days, they are very serious when they do occur. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, one-third of home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems and one-quarter start when the tree is placed too close to a heat source such as a fireplace, woodstove, radiator or space heater. Ostroskey said, “Always keep your Christmas trees watered, place it well away from a heat source, and dispose of them promptly after the holidays.”

For more information on fire safety, contact your local fire department or the Department of Fire Services at 1-877-9-NO FIRE or on-line at http://www.mass.gov/dfs and search on Winter Holiday Safety. p;



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