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Lowell Fire Prevention Bureau
City of Lowell Fire Department
Fire Prevention Bureau
93 Mammoth Road - Lowell, MA 01854
Phone (978)459-5554
Captain John Weber
Captain John Weber
FF Larry Peaslee
FF Dennis Baribault
FF
Wallace Johnson
FF Gary Ralls
Senior Clerk Sherrold Vail
Summer Fire Safety Tips
It's possible to enjoy a sizzling-hot summer without getting burned! When the time comes to haul out the gas grill, camping equipment, and lawn mower, give some thought to this advice from the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). It could keep you a lot safer this summer:
Grilling - Keep barbecue grills far away from anything that can burn -- your home, cars, dry vegetation, etc. Stay with the grill when lighted, and keep children and pets well away from the area. When barbecuing, protect yourself by wearing a heavy apron and an oven mitt that fits high up over your forearm. If you get burned, run cool water over the burn for 10 to 15 minutes. ( Tip: Don't use butter or a salve on burns because these seal in heat and can damage the tissue further.) If you receive a serious burn, with charred skin, for example, seek medical attention promptly.
Barbecue grills must never be used inside the home because, in addition to the fire hazard of indoor grilling, the grill can easily cause carbon monoxide poisoning. If lightning appears while you're grilling, seek shelter and wait for the storm to pass.
For charcoal grills, only use starter fluids (never use gasoline) designed for barbecue grills. Use a limited amount of starter fluid before lighting the fire. If the fire is too slow, rekindle with dry kindling and add more charcoal if necessary. Don't add liquid fuel to re-ignite or build up a fire, as flash fires can result. Soak the coals with water before you discard them and leave the grill away from the house until completely cool.
For gas grills, always store the gas cylinder outside - away from structures - and turn off the valves when not in use. Check frequently for any leaks in connections by using a soap-and-water mix that will show bubbles if gas escapes. When purchasing a gas grill, select one that bears the mark of an independent testing laboratory. Follow manufacturer's instructions and if needed, have it repaired by a trained professional.
Fireworks - The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend an outdoor public display put on by professionals. Pyrotechnic devices (better known as fireworks) are designed to burn and explode, and are a leading cause of injuries in the U.S. Every year, fireworks used by amateurs cause thousands of injuries serious enough to require emergency room treatment. Children between the ages of 10 and 14 are at greatest risk of injury from fireworks. In 1995, more than 11,000 people suffered severe fireworks injuries in the United States, including burns, lacerations, amputations, and blindness. NFPA recommends that all fireworks -- including devices considered "legal"-- be used only by trained professional pyrotechnicians. Even sparklers, often mistaken as safe, burn as hot as 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. Leave any area where amateurs (adults included) are using these devices, and do not pick up or touch found fireworks.
Landscaping/Gardening - Trim tree limbs so they don't hang over your roof, and keep eaves and gutters free of leaves and other debris that burns easily. Clear weeds, brush and other flammable vegetation at least 30 feet away from your home, and store firewood away from all structures.
Gasoline Safety - Store gasoline outside the home, preferably in a locked, detached shed, and store just enough to power your gasoline-fueled equipment. Keep gasoline up high, inside a clearly marked container that's labeled and approved for gasoline storage. Make sure gasoline and all flammable liquids are well away from any heat source or flame.
Use gasoline as a motor fuel only -- never as a stain remover or for other purposes. To transport gasoline in an automobile to and from the filling station, place a sealed, approved container in the trunk with the trunk lid propped open and drive directly to the fueling site. Take a direct route back home and never store gasoline in a vehicle.
Extinguish smoking materials before fueling, and take the equipment outside well away from combustibles. Wipe up any spills immediately and move the equipment at least 10 feet away from the fueling area to start the engine. Before re-fueling, turn off the equipment and let it cool completely.
Boating - Before fueling your boat, make sure to extinguish smoking materials and shut down all motors, fans and heating devices. Be sure the fueling nozzle is grounded to the fuel intake and don't fill to capacity -- leave room for expansion. Wipe up fuel spills immediately and check the bilge for fuel leakage and odors. After fueling and before starting the motor, ventilate with the blower for at least four minutes.
On board your covered boat, consider installing a smoke detector and test the battery before using the boat each time, replacing the battery with a fresh one at least once a year. Only use portable stoves and heaters specifically designed for marine use.
For information on marine fire extinguishers and other information on boating safety, contact the U.S. Coast Guard office near you.
Enjoying Your Pool -- - Liquid and solid chlorine-based oxidizers are commonly sold for home pool care as hydrogen chloride products. These chemicals can spontaneously combust if contaminated by organic materials (such as body fluids, acid rain, etc.) or hydrocarbon liquids such as fuel or motor oil. This type of fire will result in toxic fumes that can be extremely dangerous and require resident evacuation. Store and use pool chemicals according to the manufacturer's recommendations, and always store them outside the home, away from any heat source or flame. Keep the containers in a dry place, well away from other items. If the container is punctured or otherwise damaged, properly dispose of the chemicals.
For more information on proper storage of other hazardous chemicals or flammable and combustible products, contact your local pool supplier or fire department.
Camping - Pitch your tent (flame retardant is best) well away from your campfire. Only use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns inside the tent or any other closed space, as opposed to liquid-fueled heaters or lanterns. In addition to the fire hazard posed by liquid-fueled devices, carbon monoxide poisoning can easily result in unvented spaces.
Build your campfire downwind, away from your tent, clearing away all dry vegetation and digging a pit surrounded by rocks. Look for signs that warn of potential fire hazards in national forests and campgrounds, and always obey park service regulations. Pour water over or cover the fire with dirt before going to sleep or leaving the campsite. Store liquid fire starter -- NEVER use gasoline -- away from your tent and campfire and use only dry kindling to freshen a campfire - not liquid fuel.
By following these quick and simple steps, we can all keep summer activities fun and fire-safe. For further information on summer fire safety or other fire safety topics, please contact the Lowell Fire Department or the National Fire Protection Association.
Fire Safety While You Sleep - Install Smoke Detectors!
Do Smoke Detectors Really Save Lives?
Most fatal home fires occur at night, while people are asleep. Poisonous gases and smoke from a fire in your home can numb the senses in a very short time.
Every home needs a device that can wake people up in time to escape from a fire. Of all the low-cost fire alarm devices you can buy, the Fire Chief considers smoke detectors to be the most effective.
How To Choose A Smoke Detector
There are dozens of reputable brands of smoke detectors readily available. No matter where you buy your detectors or what type they are, be sure to buy only ones carrying the mark of an organization that tests and evaluates products.
Any labeled smoke detector offers protection - whether it's powered by batteries or household current, whether it's photoelectric or ionization device.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for installation, testing and maintenance. This is very important
How Many Do I Need?
According to the accepted Standard on Household Fire Warning Equipment (NFPA 74), minimum protection requires smoke detectors outside each bedroom and on each additional story of the house. This includes the basement.
For additional protection, the Fire Chief recommends that you install detectors inside each bedroom, the dining room, furnace room, utility room and hallways. If your family sleeps with bedrooms doors closed, it's especially important to install detectors inside the bedrooms. Detectors are also recommended for kitchens, attics (finished or unfinished) and garages. Be sure you can hear detectors from each bedroom.
Where And How Should I Install My Smoke Detectors?
Most smoke detectors can be installed easily. Most operate either on batteries or household current. A detector that plugs into a wall outlet must have a restraining device so that the plug cannot accidentally be pulled from the wall. Detectors can also be hard-wired into the electrical system. But never hard-wire a detector to a circuit that can be turned off at a wall switch.
Because smoke rises, each detector should be mounted on the ceiling to detect the first traces of smoke. A ceiling-mounted detector should be placed at least 4 inches from any wall In a room with a high pitched ceiling, mount the detector on or near the ceiling's highest point.
Most home fires start in living areas - the den, family room or living room. On a floor with no bedrooms, install the required detector in or near the living area. If a stairway leads to an upper story, install the detector in the path where smoke would travel up the stairs.
Don't install a detector near a window, door or air register where drafts could reduce its sensitivity.
Locate a basement smoke detector close to the stairway leading to the floor above. But don't install the detector at the top of the basement stairs: dead air space near the door may prevent smoke from reaching the detector.
Maintaining Your Smoke Detectors
It's extremely important to test and clean all detectors regularly.
Replace the batteries according to the manufacturer's recommendations - or at least once a year. Warn everyone in your household to leave working batteries in smoke detectors - resist temptation to borrow them for other purposes.
Never paint a smoke detector. Because cobwebs and dust can impair a detector's sensitivity, vacuum your detectors at least once a week to make sure you're protected.
What Happens When The Fire Alarm Sounds?
Being awakened by a smoke detector can be a frightening and disorienting experience even for adults - so plan your escape before it an emergency.
First of all, make sure everyone knows what your smoke detector sounds like. So test it in front of the entire family.
Plan at least two ways out from each room - especially the bedrooms. Agree on a place to meet outside the house or apartment building so you'll know when everyone is out.
Have everyone rehearse the plan regularly.
In case of a real fire, get out of the house immediately. Once at the meeting place, have one person go to a neighbors phone to call the fire department by dialing 911. In addition to telling them your name and address, tell them if anyone is still in the house.
Fire safety In Your Home Starts Immediately!
In combination with a family escape plan, properly installed and maintained smoke detectors can save lives in case of fire.
Smoke detectors save lives!
You can e-mail Captain Weber anytime at: jweber@lowellma.gov
