Why are space heaters dangerous? What you need to know.

Why are space heaters dangerous? What you need to know.

 

December through March are peak months for home fire deaths. While space heaters can be a quick way to heat up a chilly room, that warmth comes with a BIG warning label.

Each year, space heaters are involved in 79% of fatal home heating fires. As temperatures drop, here are 10 things you need to know:

1. Give the heater some space. Keep your space heater at least THREE feet away from anything flammable. That means clothes and blankets, stacks of newspapers, furniture, rugs and even walls. Allow at least three feet of open space on each side of the unit.
   
   
   
   
2. Never (ever) use an extension cord with a space heater. To prevent a fire, never plug a high-wattage space heater into an extension cord or multi-outlet strip.
   
   
3. Opt for quality. When shopping for a space heater, select a unit that has all the latest safety features and the Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) label of approval. Look for cool-to-the-touch housings and automatic shutoff features that turn the unit off if it’s tipped over or overheating. Some units will automatically shut off if their infrared sensors detect a person or object that is too close to the heater panel—making them desirable choices for households with kids or pets.
   
   
   
4. Never leave a space heater “on” in an unoccupied room. Always turn off a space heater when you leave the room and before going to bed. Throw on some extra blankets and unplug the unit as an extra precaution.
   
   
5. Size matters. Before purchasing a space heater, check the label to see if it is the appropriate size for the area you want to heat.
   
6. Make sure your house can handle it. Space heaters use a lot of electricity --- as much as fifteen 100-watt light bulbs. This can be too much for older houses with old wires and electrical circuits. When wires get overheated, fires can also start inside the walls where they are hard to spot. If the circuit breaker trips, don’t plug it back in.
   
7. Keep space heaters away from water. Like any electrical device, they pose a shock hazard. To help prevent shocks, avoid using space heaters in rooms where spills and moisture build-ups are likely such at bathrooms and kitchens.
   
8. Safety first. Check your heaters regularly – look for frayed wires and remove dust accumulation on grates, grills, coils and other elements of the heater.
   
   
9. Hot, hot, hot. Some parts of the heater can become really hot. Children, seniors and pets are especially vulnerable to getting burned.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
10. Finally, don’t rely on space heaters to heat your home. They’re designed to supplement a central heating strategy – NOT replace it. Make sure every room in which you plan to use a space heater has working smoke alarms and that your house has a carbon monoxide alarm.
    

Cold Weather Problems - Precautions To Prevent Water Pipes From Freezing

Cold Weather Problems - Precautions To Prevent Water Pipes From Freezing

With below-freezing temperatures in the forecast, a few simple steps can keep you and your family safe and your home's pipes from freezing. Please review the below tips to help minimize the possibility or damage.

• Prepare your pipes in advance. Remove, drain and store garden hoses used outside. If practical, use an inside valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing pipes just inside your house.

• Properly winterize automatic landscaping sprinkler systems. 

• Check and monitor any exposed pipes in unheated areas such as basements, garages, attics and crawlspaces.

• Locate the main water shut off for your home so that if a pipe bursts, you can shut off the water and minimize damage.

• Open cabinet doors in the kitchen and bathrooms to let heat in and around the plumbing.  Especially important if some of these pipes run up against outside walls. If you open cabinet doors, be sure to remove anything that may pose a safety hazard to children, such as household cleaners.

• Keep any garage doors closed if there are water pipes or supply lines in the garage.  If attached to home and safe, consider opening the door to the garage to allow some home heat to enter the garage. While your heating bill may take a hit, the cost will not compare to costly repairs from water damage.

• DO NOT use kerosene or other fuel fed heating devices in the garage to heat it.

• Let water drip from faucets served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe (even at a dribble) can help prevent pipes from freezing.

• DO NOT use a blow torch, r or any other open flame to try and thaw out potentially frozen pipes!
• Mobile homes are typically more vulnerable to frozen pipes so take proper precautions. 

• Keep the thermostat set to no lower than 55° F during the evening hours or if you will be leaving the home for an extended period of time (day or night).

Please check your elderly neighbors and friends who may need additional assistance to ensure their safety and always have working smoke alarms in your home.

  

Asbury Park Fire Department Overview

The Asbury Park Fire Department is an organization that provides fire suppression and basic life support (BLS) emergency medical services (EMS) to the over 16,000 residents of the City of Asbury Park as well as mutual aid to neighboring jurisdictions. The Asbury Park Fire Department is part of the Monmouth County Mutual Aid Response Plan (MARP), which includes all emergency service agencies in Monmouth County. 

The Asbury Park Fire Department is a fast paced fire and EMS system that operates primarily out of one centrally located firehouse. Fire Headquarters includes 3 basic life support (BLS) transport units; One Engine; One Truck (ladder) Company; a technical rescue apparatus, and the duty Battalion Chief. The second station, located on Monroe Ave, is used as a storage facility that houses two reserve engines, and a BLS transport unit. Suppression units also have BLS capability. In 2018, the department responded to 7,644 fire and EMS incidents that resulted in 10,167 unit responses to handle the incidents.  The department averages 28 unit responses per day.

The department has an operational field strength of 50 members, most of whom are assigned to four rotating shifts and work 24 hours shifts over a 42-hour work week. These suppression units also have BLS intervention capabilities for first responder purposes. The EMS transport units each respond with 2 Firefighter/EMT’s.

The Asbury Park Fire Department also has full access to a modern 5 story “Class A” burn building, a “roof prop”, and an additional “training tower” at the Monmouth County Fire Academy. This training facility is a one of a kind asset that will benefit not only the members of the department but firefighters throughout the county as well.

The city comprises a 1.4 square mile area that includes a downtown central business district, commercial and light industry, residential, high rise, strip mall shopping centers, a state highway, and the New Jersey Coast Rail Line.

The department is organized into three divisions – Administration, Fire and EMS Operations and Code Administration. The Administration Division provides overall policy and administrative oversight and support for the department. The Operations Division oversees day-to-day delivery of emergency services; training and professional development; and emergency medical service programs. The Fire Prevention Division includes fire code administration & plans review; inspections and investigations; life safety education; and, emergency management.

The Asbury Park Fire Department is interested in feedback from the residents of Asbury Park. If you have any questions or comments about the department please email us at: Fire@cityofasburypark.com.

 

Breakdown of Major Incident Types for 2018

MAJOR INCIDENT TYPE	# INCIDENTS	% of TOTAL
Fires	75	0.98%
Overpressure rupture, explosion, overheat - no fire	1	0.01%
Rescue & Emergency Medical Service	5705	74.63%
Hazardous Condition (No Fire)	225	2.94%
Service Call	459	6.00%
Good Intent Call	302	3.95%
False Alarm & False Call	866	11.33%
Severe Weather & Natural Disaster	1	0.01%
Special Incident Type	10	0.13%
TOTAL	7644	100.00%

Tis the season to be … SAFE! Deck the halls with boughs of Safety

Tis the season to be … SAFE! Deck the halls with boughs of Safety

In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it may be tempting to take a few short cuts. The  Firefighters of the APFD asks that you make sure that safety isn’t one of them!   

Christmas trees require special attention. When selecting a tree, freshness is important. Check the needles to make sure they are green and difficult to pull back from the branches. If the tree has been freshly cut, the needles should not break. Tap the tree on the ground several times and notice if any needles fall off. If they do, the tree is probably dried out and could be a fire hazard.  Water your tree daily and do not place the tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace, radiator, space heater or heat vent. Make sure your tree is in a sturdy holder and can't be knocked over by pets or children.

Using extension cords? Overloaded extension cords and outlets can present a serious fire safety hazard. Make sure that the extension cord is suitable for the electrical “load” needed. Do not place cords under furniture or rugs and never plug two extension cords together to increase the total length. Demanding too much power from an extension cord risks overheating and fire. Be sure to read all packaging and instructions carefully when purchasing an extension cord and ensure it is UL listed.

Holiday lights. Indoors or out, only use lights that have been tested by an approved testing laboratory for safety such as UL. All lights should be inspected for frayed wires, bare spots, broken or cracked sockets or excessive wear before plugging them in and discard any damaged sets of lights. Avoid stringing more than three light strands together.

Firing up the fireplace?  Cool your ashes! Every year “cold” ashes result in house fires. Treat all ashes and coals as HOT ashes, even when you think they have had enough time to cool. Your garage, house or deck are unsafe locations for ashes to cool and have been the site of many recent and devastating fires both locally and nationally. Take extreme care when disposing ashes and follow these tips: 

-         Allow all ashes to cool in place for several days, when possible.

-       When it’s time to dispose of ashes, transfer them to a metal container and wet them down. Only use an approved metal ash bucket that has a tight fitting metal lid.

-         Store the container outside, away from structures, decks, fences, wood piles or other combustible materials.

-        Never use a vacuum cleaner to pick up ashes and don’t dispose of ashes outside on a windy day. The wind can whip up what may have seemed like cool embers, making them fiery hot, and igniting nearby combustibles.

Candle fires peak during the holiday season. Most holiday candle fires occur when people leave burning candles unattended or place candles too close to holiday decorations. Keep candles in sight, in a secure holder and on a safe surface away from children and pets. Consider using flameless, battery-operated candles making them much safer.

Give space heaters space and ensure at least a 3-foot clearance from anything that can burn. Do not overload the electrical circuit or use extension cords with space heaters. Always stay in the room while a space heater is operating and turn it off when leaving the room or going to sleep. Follow all manufacturer recommendations and make sure your space heater meets all safety standards.

Cooking is a top cause of holiday fires. Be alert, focused and stay in the kitchen when cooking. Keep things that can catch fire, such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers and towels away from the cooking area. Make sure kids and pets stay at least three feet away from the stove and oven, hot food, and liquids to avoid serious burns.

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 having the City’s recycling service pick it up on the designated day(s).

Do you hear what I hear? Having working smoke alarms DOUBLE your chances of surviving a fire however smoke alarms do not last forever. If your alarms are 10 years old or older, they need to be replaced with new alarms.  Bottom line: don't wait for a fire to test your smoke alarm. 

Thanksgiving Wins FIRST Place - For Most Cooking Fires!

Thanksgiving Wins FIRST Place - For Most Cooking Fires!

 

More cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving than on any other day of the year. With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, Asbury Park Fire Inspector Tawheshia Gates is urging residents to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday and to keep safety at the top of everyone’s “to do” list this holiday season. “Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a rookie cooking your first holiday feast, the strategies for serving up a safe meal are the same,” said Inspector Gates. “Unattended cooking is the leading cause of residential fires and we’re asking residents to follow these simple safety tips and to have a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday.

 

Cooking Safety Tips:

• Be alert! Stay in the kitchen when using the stovetop and use a timer. If you must leave the kitchen, even for a minute, turn off the stove.

  
• Keep anything that can catch fire at least 3 feet from the stove, toaster oven or other heat source. This includes pot holders, food packaging, dish towels, paper/plastic bags, etc.
• Do not pour water on a grease fire. Pouring water on a grease fire can cause the fire to spread. In the event of a range-top fire, turn off the burner, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding a lid or cookie sheet onto the pan. Leave the lid in place until the pot or pan has cooled.
• Clean cooking surfaces regularly to prevent grease buildup which can ignite.
• Always wear short, tight-fitting sleeves when cooking to prevent clothing from coming in contact with a burner and catching fire.
• Do not hold children while cooking or carrying hot foods or drinks. Keep children at a safe distance from hot surfaces, liquids and other kitchen hazards.
• Plug microwaves and other kitchen appliances directly into an outlet. Never use an extension cord for a cooking appliance as it can overload the circuit and cause a fire.
• Double-check the kitchen before you go to bed or leave the house. Make sure all other appliances are turned off and that any candles or smoking materials are safely extinguished.
• Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home, test alarms monthly and change batteries annually or as recommended by the manufacturer if your alarm features long-life batteries.

Turkey fryers are becoming an increasingly popular choice to cook the Thanksgiving turkey and can be extremely dangerous if proper precautions are not taken. If your plans include using a turkey fryer, fire department officials urge residents to follow all manufacturer directions closely and to review the following safety tips: 

Turkey Fryer Safety Tips:

• Never leave a fryer unattended.
• By design, turkey fryers are prone to tipping over. Fryers should always be used on a non-combustible, flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
• Fryers should always be used outdoors at least 10 feet from buildings and any flammable materials. Never use a fryer on a wooden deck, under a patio cover, in a garage, porch or other enclosed space.
• Do not overfill the fryer. The oil may spill out of the unit when the turkey is placed into the cooking pot. Oil may hit the burner/flames resulting in a potential fire hazard that could engulf the entire unit.
• Oil and water do not mix! Make sure the turkey is completely thawed before it is placed in a fryer. Partially frozen turkeys can cause a spillover effect which may result in a fire.
• Some units do not have thermostat controls and, if not carefully watched, have the potential to overheat the oil to the point of combustion.
• Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching the pot or lid handle. The sides of the cooking pot, lid and pot handles get dangerously hot and can result in severe burns. If available, use safety goggles to protect your eyes from any oil splatter.
• Keep children and pets away from fryers. The oil can remain dangerously hot even hours after use.

Following these simple fire safety tips can boost survival rates and reduce injuries dramatically.  For more information about our fire safety programs or to request a free home safety evaluation or smoke alarm check, call Fire Marshal Garrett M. Giberson at 732-502-0364 during business hours, or visit our website at CityofAsburyPark.com/APFD at any time.

What Time Is It?

What Time Is It?

Time to CHANGE your clocks & CHECK your smoke alarms this weekend 
   

Simple task can be a potentially life-saving one!

Daylight savings time ends November 4^th and the Asbury Park Fire Department is asking all residents to check their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working when they change their clocks this weekend.    

Home fires injure and kill thousands every year.  Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. We encourage everyone to test their smoke alarms, replace any alarms that are 10 years or older and conduct a home fire drill this weekend.

The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. when most families are sleeping. A working smoke alarm dramatically increases the chance for survival and provides advance warning of a fire resulting in more time to react and put a home escape plan into action.  

Help keep your family safe by following these fire safety tips:

1.      Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement, and in all sleeping areas.

2.     Do you know if your smoke alarm is impacted by Maryland’s new law? Battery-only smoke alarms need to be replaced by 1/1/2018 with new smoke alarms that have sealed in, 10-year long life batteries.   

3.      Retire old smoke alarms and replace with new ones every 10 years. Like any electronic device, smoke alarms wear out over time and need to be replaced. The life expectancy of smoke alarms is 10 years. Smoke alarms work by sensing smoke particles and after 10 years, the smoke sensors lose their sensitivity. The test button only confirms that the battery, electronics and alerting system are working; not that the smoke sensor is working.

4.      Plan and practice home fire drills regularly. Decide in advance who will help family members that may need assistance escaping (young children, older adults or people with disabilities).        

6.      Make sure children recognize the sound of your smoke alarm and how to respond to its signal.

7.      Know your battery type. Sealed smoke alarms equipped with 10-year batteries are becoming more common and the batteries do not need to be replaced if they are sealed into the unit. Check your smoke alarms to see what type of battery it uses. While 10-year, long-life batteries do not need to be replaced annually, the entire smoke alarm unit does need to be replaced every ten years.Hard-wired smoke alarms, not affected by the new law, should have a battery backup and like all smoke alarm units need to be replaced every 10 years.

Got questions? The Asbury Park Fire Department conducts free home safety checks of smoke alarms for residents at no cost. Please call 732-774-7400 for information or visit our website for info as well as year-round safety information at CityofAsburyPark.com/APFD. 

FIRE PIT SAFETY

 

 

Home and business owners are increasingly adding fire pits to their outdoor spaces. Fire pits are gaining popularity as they can be used year round, in hot and cold weather, as a gathering space. If you

are considering adding a fire pit to your backyard or outdoor office space, there are several things that need to be considered including location, fuel type, and most importantly, safety.

 

Where should I place my Fire Pit?

Great question! Before deciding where to place your fire pit, you will need to determine whether you will be placing a permanent fire pit, or a portable fire pit. Once you have determined whether you will have a permanent or portable fire pit, you will need to decide where the best placement is. 

When deciding where to place your fire pit, the most important thing to consider is safety. Fire pits should be placed at a minimum of ten feet away from your house or building and also neighbors yards. In addition to placing the fire pit a safe distance away from your home or building, it should also be in a place where there are no overhanging branches, fences or other structures that could easily catch fire. It is important to check the requirements within your city or town as codes and laws regarding the use of fire pits can differ. Some communities do not allow open fires so check with city officials prior to making any plans to install a fire pit.

In addition to determining a location for your fire pit, you will need to figure out the best surface for it. Safe fire pit surfaces include brick, stone, gravel, concrete, or some type of fire resistant composite material. Fire pits should never be placed on wood decks as this is a serious fire hazard. 

What type of Fuel do I use?

Generally, gas and wood, are the most common types of fuel for outdoor fire pits. If you opt to use wood, be sure to stay aware and alert incase an emergency arises. Besides real wood, the other fuel option for fire pits is gas. The use of gas or propane means that the fire will start instantly, but you don’t get the traditional smoke and crackling noises of a wood fire. There are some fire pits that can be purchased that allow for switching between wood and gas. Gas and propane should only be used in devices that are built for them. Flammable fluids such as gas or lighter fluid should never be used to light wood fires.

Fire Pit Safety Tips

Fire pits can be great for gathering friends and family however the use of a fire pit requires serious attention to safety. Prior to using your fire pit, you should check with your insurance company as disclosure of your fire pit may be a requirement of your policy. Before lighting the fire, check the direction of the wind. You should also avoid wearing loose fitting clothing around the fire in addition to flammable clothing such as nylon, that could easily catch fire. Soft woods such as cedar and pine, have a tendency to throw sparks, and pop, so avoiding these woods can cut down on the risk of injury and the spread of fire. It is also important to have a working fire extinguisher and to know how to properly extinguish your fire as well as how to safely dispose of ashes.

 

Fire Pit Safety PSA