In observance of Fire Prevention Week, each year, there is an Open House at our fire station. Please join us to learn about our department and more about fire safety.
Also offered each fall are typically safety focused programs for the public such as:
- Selecting and using portable fire extinguishers
- Safety in public places
We will be posting dates and times once they become available. Please check back periodically for updates.
For additional information, about what will be offered contact, the Fire Department Public Information Officer at (978) 838-2444 or by email: Fire@TownOfBerlin.com
What
to do if you have a fire in your home...
Here are a few important things that you should do:
-
First STAY CALM!!! Do not panic.
-
If there is smoke in the room get as low as you can to the foor. Being on your hands and knee is very important.
-
Find a safe way out of the house. Have a prearranged plan of getting out of every room of the house and alternate exits. Practice this plan periodically.
- If you are in a closed room, be sure to feel the door with the back of your hand before you open it. If the door is hot find another wayout of the home. Using a window is okay as long as you are on the first floor. If you are on a second floor open the window and hang a bed sheet or other bright object out of the window to get the attention of the firefighters. You can also use a window ladder as a safe way to get out. Be sure to go over how to use these ladders as a part of a practice of the fire escape plan.
- Go to your designated family meeting place. This place should be away from the house at a location that everyone can see and know. This place should, if possible, be in the front yard, using a mailbox, tree, sign or other place that is easily identifiable.
- Have one member of the family go to a neighbors' house to call 911. If you are all alone and no one comes out, go over to the neighbors' house and tell them to call 911 and get right back to the meeting plae so that the family knows you are safe.
- If you have to call the fire department you should tell them the following information: your name, address of the fire and if anyone is unaccounted for. If you have any pets still in the house don't go back in for them. Tell the fire department when they get there.
- When the fire department gets to the home tell them if everyone is out of the house and you and the family should move to the side and allow the fire department to do their job. Tell the firefighter where you will be in case they need to speak to you.
What do you do if you or your clothes are on fire...
If you or your clothes are on fire there are three simple things to do:
- STOP. Stop where you are.
- DROP. Drop to the ground.
- ROLL. Roll around on the ground until the flames are out.
Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors...
Smoke detectors are a life saving device that should be in every home. There are many different types of smoke detectors so make sure you do some research to find the best one for your home. It is suggested that at the minimum one smoke detector be placed in every level of your home. However, the more smoke detectors the better. Smoke detectors should be placed in the following locations:
- Outside every bedroom
- In long hallways
- Dining room
- Living room
- At least one in the basement near the electrical panel
- One in the garage
Detectors do not have to be placed just at these locations. You can put a detector almost anywhere in the home. But before you do you have to check the sensitivity of the detector. Placing a very sensitive detector may go off every time someone is cooking.
Smoke detector batteries should be replaced twice a year. The best time to do this is when you change the clocks during daylight savings.
You
should also test your smoke detectors every other week to be sure they are
in working order.
Smoke detectors are very important, however, there is another threat to you and your family...Carbon Monoxide (CO). Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas. It can be present at any time and does not have indicators like a fire. For example: when there is a fire you can see smoke. There is no smoke with carbon monoxide. Carbon Monoxide can be caused by a car left running in an enclosed place, in a fireplace or near a generator.
Signs and symptoms of exposure to Carbon Monoxide are similar to having the flu and include:
- Headache
- Difficulty breathing
- Nausea
- Vomitting
One way to protect yourself from exposure to Carbon Monoxide is to place a Carbon Monoxide detector in your home. They look very similar to a smok detector. In fact many companies make Carbon Monoxide detectors with a smoke detector combination.
For more information regarding the Dangers of Carbon Monoxide, click here: Exposing an Invisible Killer (courtesy of the USFA website)
Matches...
Matches can be very dangerous. If you should find a pack of matches or a lighter, you should do the following:
- Do not touch them
- Walk away
- Tell an adult
Chimney
and Woodstove Fire Safety...
In 2005, there were 827 fire incidents involving solid fueled appliances, fireplaces, and chimneys. These fires were responsible for 1 civilian injury, 8 fire service injuries, 1 fire death and resulted in $2.3 million in property losses. These incidents make up 29% of all fires linked to heating systems.
Purchasing
- Be sure the stove you are purchasing to burn wood or coal is approved by Underwriter's Laboratory or another recognized testing laboratory.
Installation
- A building permit must be obtained prior to the installation of fireplaces, wood or coal burning stoves and must be inspected by the local building inspector prior to their initial use as required by the Massachusetts State Building Code.
- Allow at least 36 inches of clearance around the appliance to prevent combustibles from coming into contact with a heat source.
- Solid fuel heating appliances cannot share a common flue with chimney flues utilized by other solid fuel, fossil fuel, or gas fired appliances.
Inspections
- Have the chimney and flue inspected by a qualified mason prior to use. Cracks in the flue or mortar joints can allow flames and heated gases to extend into the structure.
Proper Use
- Most chimney fires occur due to a build-up of creosote, a tarry by-product of burning wood. Have your chimney flue cleaned before each heating season. Burn only dry, well-seasoned, hardwood to reduce creosote accumulation.
- Do not use flammable liquids to start the fire.
- Never leave children unattended near the stove.
- Check that the damper is open before lighting the fire. Failure to do so can result in an accumulation of smoke and carbon monoxide within the home. Do not close the damper before the fire has died out and the embers are cold.
- 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 to provide protection for your family.
Proper Ash Disposal
- Ashes cleaned out from the stove or fireplace should be shoveled into a metal bucket with a metal lid, placed outside, on the ground, away from the building, to prevent fires. Do not place ashes into a paper bag or cardboard box. Ashes and embers can stay hot for days and ignite combustibles.
Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Alarms
- Carbon monoxide alarms are required now in all homes with chimneys or woodstoves. Install one on every habitable level and no more than 10 feet from every bedroom door. Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home, at the bottom of every stairwell and outside each sleeping area.
- Test alarms regularly and change the batteries when we change the clocks