Author: Leah Comins

Chief Shawn Simmons and the Norton Fire Department would like to remind residents that the 2024 Open Air Burning season will end Wednesday, May 1.

The Commonwealth’s annual burning period spans from Jan. 15 to May 1. Residents are able to burn brush, cane, driftwood, tree pruning and other forestry with a permit granted by the Norton Fire Department.

Anyone who plans to use the remaining days of this year’s open burning season must obtain and activate an open burning permit. Residents are also reminded to never leave a fire unattended, to keep fire extinguishing materials handy while burning, and to only burn at least 75 feet from all buildings.

Thank you for your commitment to ensuring another safe open burning season this year.

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Chief Shawn Simmons and the Norton Fire Department remind residents to check their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when setting their clocks ahead for Daylight Saving Time this weekend.

Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 10, and clocks will be moved ahead one hour at that time.

Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained are crucial life-saving devices that allow time to escape in the event of a fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), from 2014-2018, almost three out of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms (41%) or no working smoke alarms (16%).

The risk of dying in reported home structure fires is 55% lower in homes with working smoke alarms than in homes with no alarms or none that worked, according to the NFPA.

Furthermore, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, more than 400 people in the U.S. die from unintentional CO poisoning not linked to fires, more than 100,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 14,000 are hospitalized.

Residents are encouraged to review the following safety tips, courtesy of the NFPA, to keep their homes and loved ones safe:

• Test all smoke and CO alarms at least once a month, pressing the test button to ensure the alarm functions properly.
• Smoke alarms with non-replaceable 10-year batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.
  • Alarms with any other type of battery need a new battery at least once a year. When you change your clocks, also replace regular batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
• Smoke and CO alarms should be maintained and replaced according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Smoke alarms should be installed inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. On levels without bedrooms, install alarms in the living room (or den or family room) or near the stairway to the upper level, or in both locations.
• CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards.
• For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms, and all CO alarms. When one sounds, they all sound.
• If the CO alarm sounds, immediately exit the house or building and move outside to an area of fresh air, ensuring each person inside the home is accounted for. Then call 911 and await instructions from emergency personnel.
• Working with each member of the household, create and practice a home escape plan. Make sure everyone in the home understands the sound of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond.

The NFPA also notes that today’s smoke alarms are more technologically advanced to respond to a multitude of fire conditions, yet mitigate false alarms. Residents are reminded that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are not interchangeable and should never be disconnected. 

For additional information on installing and maintaining smoke alarms, click here. For additional information on CO alarm safety, click here.

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Chief Shawn Simmons and the Norton Fire Department would like to share safety tips with the community as a part of National Burn Awareness Week.

Burn Awareness Week, organized by the American Burn Association (ABA), began this year on Sunday, Feb. 4, and ends on Saturday, Feb. 10. This annual campaign serves as an opportunity for fire officials to share common burn prevention messages with their communities.

The 2024 Burn Awareness Week theme is flammable liquid burns.

According to the ABA, 276,086 people received medical care for treatment of unintentional burn injuries in 2020. The primary causes of injury include fire, scalds, and contact with hot objects, electricity and chemicals. Most of the injuries occur in the home.

Vapors from flammable and combustible liquids can ignite, causing a fire. There are many commonly used flammable liquids, including gasoline, lacquers, and nail polish. The following safety tips to prevent burns caused by flammable liquids are provided by the ABA and National Fire Protection Association:

Cooking Liquids

• Always wipe clean the stove, oven, and exhaust fan to prevent grease buildup.
• Wear short or close-fitting sleeves when cooking.
• Keep a pan lid and dry potholders or oven mitts near you EVERY time you cook.
• Turn pot or pan handles toward the back of the stove. When frying, use a pan lid or splash guard to prevent grease splatter.
• Allow food to rest before removing it from the microwave. When heating food in the microwave, use microwave-safe cookware that allows steam to escape.
• Never hold a child while you are cooking, drinking a hot liquid, or carrying hot foods or liquids.

Gasoline 

• Use gasoline outdoors only, and store in cool, well-ventilated areas. Don’t store gasoline in the house.
• Start charcoal grills only with fluid labeled as “charcoal starter fluid.”
• Keep gasoline in a secure location, out of the reach of children.
• Use containers that have been listed, labeled, or approved for gasoline
• Fill equipment with gas when engines are cool
• Don’t use gasoline near a flame source such as burning leaves or brush
• Don’t use gasoline as a cleaning fluid or solvent
• Don’t dispense gasoline into a portable container while it is located inside the vehicle or pickup truck bed

Other Flammable/Combustible Liquids

• Never leave rags used to clean paint or stain in a pile. At the end of the day, take the rags outside to dry. Keep them away from buildings. Put dried rags in a metal container with a water and detergent solution to break down the oils and ensure the cover is tight.
• Keep containers of oily rags in a cool place, out of direct sunlight and away from other heat sources.
• Flammable and combustible liquids should not be used near an open flame. Do not smoke when working with these liquids.
• Keep flammable liquids in their original containers. Keep them tightly capped or sealed. Never store the liquids in glass containers.

Burn Injuries

Minor burns can be treated at home. According to the ABA, initial first aid treatment includes:

• Stop the burning process: cool a burn by running cool (not cold) water for at least 5 minutes.
• Remove all jewelry, watches, rings, and clothing around the burned area as soon as possible.
• Administer an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain control. Follow the directions on the label. Consult a physician or health care provider if pain is not relieved.
• Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage or clean cloth. Wrap the burned area loosely to avoid putting too much pressure on the burned tissue.
• For a small area burn (less than 1% or the size of the person’s hand), apply soothing lotions that contain aloe vera to a burned area to help relieve the pain and discomfort.

Minor burns will usually heal without further treatment. If you have a significant burn injury it is important to seek treatment at a burn center. Several factors – like location and size – are important when treating burns. If you are unsure on the seriousness of an injury, review the ABA’s guidance on When to Seek Medical Care.

For more information on National Burn Awareness Week and flammable liquid burn injuries, visit the ABA website.

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