The festive season

The Clinton Fire Department prides itself on being a family organization.  Once you join as a member your family suddenly grows exponentially.  Your children suddenly have lots of extra uncles, aunts and cousins and you get a whole bunch of brothers and sisters.  

This time of the year our calendars are packed with social events such as the town Christmas parade, tree cutting and decoration and the Christmas party.  Honestly I'm not sure who has more fun, the kids or the adults - you be the judge.

Holiday Fire Prevention tips from USA.gov

According to the United Sates Fire Administration (USFA), each year fires occurring during the holiday season injure 2,600 individuals and cause over $930 million in damage. There are simple life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happy holiday. By following these precautionary tips, individuals can greatly reduce their chances of becoming a holiday fire casualty:

Preventing Holiday Tree Fires

Special fire safety precautions need to be taken when keeping a live tree in the house. A burning tree can rapidly fill a room with fire and deadly gases.

* Selecting a Tree for the Holiday - Needles should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch.o Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.
* Caring for Your Tree - Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times. Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree.
* Disposing of Your Tree - Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood burning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.
* Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree - Do not go near a holiday tree with an open flame -- candles, lighters or matches.

Holiday Lights

* Maintain Your Holiday Lights - Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.
* Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets - Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires -- they should not be warm to the touch.

Holiday Decorations

* Use Only Nonflammable Decorations - All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents.
* Never Put Wrapping Paper in a Fireplace - It can throw off dangerous sparks and produce a chemical buildup in the home that could cause an explosion.
* Artificial Holiday Trees - If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.

Finally, as in every season, have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times. Know when and how to call for help. And remember to practice your home escape plan.

Thanks to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation for posting this information!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving: Turkey Fryer Safety

Thanksgiving is around the corner and your safety during this wonderful family event is our primary concern. If you are considering using a turkey fryer it is essential that you check out this post on turkey fryer hazards and safety precautions. In order to illustrate the dangers that turkey fryers pose we are posting two videos. We are sharing these videos not to scare anyone, we just want to illustrate the real dangers that improper use of turkey fryers can pose.

Please stay safe and have a wonderfully relaxing safe Thanksgiving!

Fire Safety: Turkey Fryer Dangers

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, we wanted to share some basic safety tips when working with Turkey fryers:

Turkey fryer hazards

Turkey fryers pose certain hazards that you should avoid at all costs:

• Many units easily tip over, spilling the hot oil from the cooking pot.
• If the cooking pot is overfilled with oil, the oil may spill out of the unit when the turkey is placed into the cooking pot. Oil may hit the burner or flames, causing a fire to engulf the entire unit.
• Partially frozen turkeys placed into the fryer can cause a spillover effect. This too may result in an extensive fire.
• With no thermostat controls, the units also have the potential to overheat the oil to the point of combustion.
• The lid and handles on the sides of the cooking pot get dangerously hot, posing severe burn hazards.

Important safety information

If you absolutely must use a turkey fryer, please use the following tips:
• Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other flammable materials.
• Never use turkey fryers in a garage or on a wooden deck.
• Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
• Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you do not watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
• Never let children or pets near the fryer even if it is not in use. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot hours after use.
• To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.
• Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water do not mix, and water causes oil to spill over causing a fire or even an explosion hazard.
• The National Turkey Federation (NTF) recommends thawing the turkey in the refrigerator approximately 24 hours for every five pounds in weight.
• Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. If the fire is occurs use your all-purpose fire extinguisher and call 911 immediately for fire department assistance.


Information primarily based on theinformation provided by the Underwriters Laboratories®.

CFD Activity 11/3 - 11/18

On Monday 11/9 our members drilled on the use of portable pumps. Portable pumps a very useful in supplying water to fires from swimming pools, ponds, rivers and streams when a fire truck can get close enough. On Monday 11/16 CFD conducted a drill on hose lines, focusing on extended lays and hand line advancement. During this time Engine 45-1 and Tower 45 were also serviced. During this period CFD responded to 7 calls, a summary follows.

11/4/09 @ 11:01 am - Fire Box 4601 Level 1 - Bundt Park in Clinton Township for Engine 45-1 to set up a landing zone for a medical helicopter. CFD was cancelled by Annandale Hose Company(46) as they had sufficient manpower to handle the call at 11:03 am.

11/6/09 @ 2:10 pm - Fire Box 2549 Level 1 - Interstate 78 in Union Township for a reported grass fire in the median. Chief 45 responded immediately and arrived in the area within 2 minutes and found no fire. Chief 45 held all units in station while he checked 78 from Exit 12 to Exit 16 and cancelled all units at 2:19 pm.

11/6/06 @ 3:40 pm - Fire Box 2549 Level 1 - Interstate 78 near Exit 13 for a grass fire in the median. Chief 45 arrived on scene @ 3:42 pm and again found no fire. All units remained in quarters while Chief 45 checked the highway from Exit 12 to 16. With nothing being found all units were cancelled at 3:50 pm.

11/7/09 @ 12:51 pm - Fire Box 9102 Level 1 - Engine 45-1 was requested to respond mutual aid with Quakertown Fire Company(91) on Upper Kingtown Road for a large brush fire. Engine 45-1 arrived at 1:04 pm and assisted QFC extinguish and overhaul the fire. All units were back in quarters at 2:19 pm.

11/14/09 @ 6:56 pm - Fire Box 4504 Level 4 - Lakeview Avenue in the Town of Clinton for a carbon monoxide(CO) detector activation. Since all occupants were out of the residence and no one was feeling ill, all CFD units responded in a non-emergency mode(no lights or siren). Engine 45-2 arrived at 7:06 pm and used gas detector to determine there was CO in the residence. initial readings of 40 parts per million(ppm) were found in the basement and garage. Further investigation found the CO was from the car exhaust and after venting the residence all units cleared at 7:32 pm.

11/17/09 @ 3:13 pm - Fire box 4505 Level 1 - Interstate 78 in area of Exit 16 for a smoke investigation. Chief 45 could see the smoke from Grey Rock Rd in Clinton Township. Annandale Hose Company(46) was also dispatched due to the unknown location and source of the smoke. Chief 45 arrived in the area and the smoke had disappeared. Chief 45 checked from Exit 15 to Petticoat Lane and found nothing. All units were cancelled at 3:25 pm.

11/18/09 @ 1:11 am - Fire Box 9106 Level 3 - Walmart in Franklin Township for the structure fire. Tower 45 and Engine 45-1 responded mutual aid with Quakertown Fire Company(91) on the first alarm. High Bridge, Annandale, and Lebanon also responded on the first alarm as did Clinton Rescue Squad. Units arrived and found a moderate smoke condition and 2 sprinkler head activated in the store. Investigation found the fire was in the artificial flower section and the sprinklers had extinguished it. Units operated to shut down the sprinklers, secure the power, and ventilate the smoke. Clinton Rescue Squad treated a civilian with a burn injury but did not transport. All CFD units were released and back in quarters at 3:35 am. Franklin Township Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the fire.
Click here for NJ.com Article - Walmart fire

Media Alert: NJ Storms and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

MEDIA ALERT

The New Jersey Poison Information & Education System - Serving New Jersey Since 1983. Media Contacts: Nancy Sergeant, SGW, 973-263-5471, nsergeant@sgw.com; Alicia Gambino, MA, CHES, NJPIES Director of Public Education, 973-972-9280, agambino@njpies.org.

BREAKING NEWS: Bad storms expected in New Jersey and the area that can cause electrical outages. Carbon Monoxide poisoning is an immediate danger and more prevalent during bad weather.

SAFETY TIPS TO PREVENT CO POISONING DURING BAD WEATHER:

In the event of power outages, take these precautions:
1. Have a flash light or candles and matches at the ready.
2. Do not bring portable generators, gas-powered equipment or heating items into a closed home or garage.
3. Never cook or heat with charcoal indoors.
4. Check the batteries on your carbon monoxide detector.
5. If you don’t have a detector, install one before the bad weather hits.
6. Keep your home well ventilated. If need be, keep a window slightly cracked to allow air flow.
7. Open flues if you are using a fireplace.
8. Do not idle a car in a closed garage. Once you pull in, immediately turn off the engine.

IF YOU SUSPECT CARBON MONOXIDE TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION:
• Get out of the house and
• Contact your local fire department immediately - call 911.
• Do not waste time opening windows or trying to “air” out the house/building; which will delay your escape from possibly dangerous fumes.

Newark, N.J., November 13, 2009— With bad weather storms predicted for this weekend, New Jersey residents are warned to take necessary steps to make sure this Friday the 13th weekend storm passes as safely as possible. During bad weather, it is not uncommon for homes and offices to experience power outages. Responding by bringing generators and gas-powered items indoors is dangerous and potentially poisonous. Many home heating systems have also not yet been properly prepared for the winter and residents may be at risk for carbon monoxide (CO) exposure.

During bad weather, residents tend to close down their homes, but frequently bring items indoors with them that are potentially more dangerous than the bad weather outside. Carbon monoxide is a particularly danger as it is an odorless and colorless gas that is only easily detected with an installed and fully functional carbon monoxide detector.

Help is Just a Phone Call Away
If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, or have questions about the safety of an item in your home, call the Poison Control Hotline (1-800-222-1222). Trained health professionals are on duty 24 hours a day to answer questions and provide guidance and advice. Officials recommend putting the number in all family cell phones as well as programming it as a speed dial number on landlines, and prominently posting the number near home and phones.

For more information on preventing carbon monoxide poisoning click here.