C.H.A.R.G.E. FACT SHEET

 

SMOKE DETECTOR TIPS

It's a fact: if your smoke alarm was manufactured before May 1, 2012, it needs to be replaced!

Change your smoke alarm batteries when you change your clocks during daylight savings time. Change your batteries and test your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

Make sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm when you use fuel burning appliances, like space heaters and fireplaces.

Clear outside furnace, stove, fireplace and gas dryer vents of snow and other debris to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Fireplace and Wood Stove Safety

Follow these heating safety tips to help keep your home fire safe this winter. 

Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from your fi replace or wood stove.

Do not burn paper in your fireplace or wood stove.

Put the fire out before you go to sleep or leave your home.

Have your chimney inspected and cleaned each year by a professional.

Put ashes in a metal container with a lid. Place the container outside at least 10 feet from your home for at least 12 hours. Dispose of your ashes only after they are cooled properly.

 

Fireplace safety

Keep a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out.

Make sure fireplace “on” switches and remote controls are out of the reach of children.

Wood stove safety

Make sure your wood stove has been tested by a qualified testing laboratory.

Keep the doors of your wood stove closed unless loading or stoking the live fire.

In light of recent tragedies, please use extreme caution while using portable heaters and fireplaces. 

Please refer to the information below for some some safety tips.

7 Highly Effective Portable Heater Safety Habits

Keep all sides of the heater at least 3 feet from anything that can burn. (beds, curtains, clothes, papers, sofas, etc)

Place space heaters on a solid, flat surface to avoid being knocked over and keep them and their electrical cords from things that can burn. 

Never power the heater with an extension cord or power strip.

  

Make sure the heater is never near water and NEVER touch it if you are wet.

Never leave the heater operating while unoccupied or while you are sleeping.

If the heater cord or plug is HOT, disconnect the heater and contact an authorized repair person. If the outlet is HOT, contact a certified electrician. 

Check https://saferproducts.gov/ to see if your electric heater has been recalled.

Put a Freeze on Winter Fires 

As you stay cozy and warm this winter, stay fire smart!

Half of all home heating fires occurs in December, January and February.

1 in every 7 home fires and 1 in every 5 home fire deaths involve heating equipment.

Have a qualified professional clean and inspect your chimney and vents every year.

Never use an oven or stovetop to heat your home.

 Make sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm when you use fuel burring appliances, like space heaters and fireplaces.

More than 1/3 of home decoration fires are started by candles.

Keep candles 12 inches away from things that can burn. Consider using flameless candles in your holiday decorations. 

More than 1 in every 5 Christmas tree fires were caused by a heat source too close to the tree.

Water your Christmas tree everyday. A dry tree is dangerous because it can catch on fire easily.

Use holiday lighting safely. Throw away light strands with frayed or pinched wires. Turn off all your holiday lights before going to bed or leaving your home.

Get rid of your Christmas tree after Christmas or when it is dry. A dry tree is dangerous. It can catch on fire easily.

Practice safe cooking this Thanksgiving

Home cooking fires happen most often on Thanksgiving

 Stand by your pan: if you are cooking at high temperatures, turn off the burner before leaving the kitchen.

National Fire Protection Association Thanksgiving Cooking Safety

Prevent Turkey Fryer Fires

When you fry foods, you increase the risk of a cooking fire. Keep in mind the potential dangers of deep frying a turkey:

Use your turkey fryer only outdoors on a study, level surface well away from things that can burn.

Determine the correct amount of oil needed by first placing the turkey in the pot with water.

Make sure your turkey is completely thawed before you fry it.

Check the temperature often with a cooking thermometer so the oil won't overheat.

Use long cooking gloves that protect hands and arms when you handle the pot, lid and handles of a turkey fryer.

For more information and free resources, visit https://www.usfa.fema.gov/

 Halloween Safety

Keep Halloween decorations away from open flames, light bulbs and heaters. It is easy for decorations like cornstalks and crepe paper to catch on fire. Keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks a way out.

Use flashlights or battery-operated candles for Halloween decorations. They are safer than candles and using them can prevent kids" costumes from catching on fire.

Fireworks Safety

Attend public fireworks displays, and leaving the lighting to the professionals. Fireworks are dangerous to people and pets. Using them puts your property at risk.

Please see the diagram below which describes what fireworks are legal in the State of New Jersey.  If it goes "BANG" or shoots up in the air, it is NOT LEGAL!

 

Adopt-A-Fire Hydrant

Fire hydrants covered with snow waste valuable time during a fire. Please help the fire department to help you and your neighbors.  If you have a fire hydrant near your home, please keep it clear of snow. 

• Remove snow and ice from the hydrant

• Clear an area approximately 3 feet around the hydrant

• Clear a path from the hydrant to the street

Every second counts in an emergency.  We ask that you please help us, help you!

 

Before and After a Flood or Storm

After a flood, check for leaking gas lines or damaged gas/propane containers. They can explode or catch on fire. Brush or spray on a mild mixture of dishwashing liquid and water to find leaks.

Clear outside furnace, stove, fireplace, and gas dryer vents of snow and other debris to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Never use candles for emergency lighting. Use flashlights and stock up on extra batteries.

After a disaster, look, smell and listen for leaky gas connections. If you believe there is a gas leak, immediately leave your home and contact your gas utility. Keep the doors open when you leave.

Connect appliances with grounded, heavy-duty extension cords to prevent electrical fires.

Do not fuel your generator when it is running. Turn it off and let it cool. Adding fuel to a hot motor is a fire hazard.

Only use generators outdoors.

Do not use a generator in a wet area. This can cause shock or electrocution.