Keep all LP-gas outside, three feet away from building openings such as doors, windows, dryer vents and air intake vents.

All LP gas cylinders with a capacity between 4-40lbs must be equipped with an overfill protection device.

We recommend LP-gas cylinders be at least ten feet away from the house, if possible, especially when in use.

LP-gas grills are not permitted inside or on balconies above the first floor of any building where people live. LP gas is heavier than air and sinks. A leaky grill could pose a hazard to people below. Possible ignition sources include smoking materials, air conditioners, compressors, pilot lights and cars.

Make sure that all connections are tight and secure.

And most importantly supervise children whenever any grill is in use.
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Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fire injuries according to statistics gathered throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In 2002, there were 4,524 fires in Massachusetts involving cooking. These incidents resulted in four deaths, 88 civilian injuries, 29 firefighter injuries and resulted in losses of 8.5 million dollars.

Cooking related fires were responsible for 31% of all fires reported in one and two family dwellings and over 65% of fires in apartment buildings, dormitories and rooming houses. Unattended cooking is the most frequent cause of this type of fire. The majority of victims injured in fires are hurt while attempting to fight the fire. Leave the firefighting to trained professionals. In the event of a fire, leave the building immediately and call 911. All fires and burns, regardless of size, should be reported to your local fire department. A working smoke detector can double a family’s chances of surviving a fire. Don’t disable detectors to avoid false alarms while cooking. Relocate the detector or replace it with a photoelectric type of detector to minimize nuisance alarms from cooking.

In case of a fire, put a lid on a grease fire to smother it, then turn off the heat. Baking soda will also work. Never move a burning pan. You can be badly burned or spread the fire. Never throw water or use a fire extinguisher on a grease fire. Water will only spread the fire and the force of the extinguisher can splash flaming grease out of the pan. Never leave food unattended on the stove, especially when cooking with grease or oil. Wear short or tight fitting sleeves when cooking. Loose fitting clothing can easily catch fire. If your clothing catches on fire, STOP, DROP & ROLL to put out the flames. Cool burns with water and call 911 for help. Keep pot handles turned inward to prevent accidental spills of hot contents. A pot handle facing outward is an accident waiting to happen for a child. Create a three-foot “child free zone”. Keep children and pets away from the stove while cooking to prevent burns and scalds. For fires inside an oven or microwave, keep the door closed, turn off the appliance, and call the fire department. Unplug appliances, such as toasters and coffee makers, when not in use. Following these simple safety tips, while cooking, will greatly reduce the risk of fire and injuries.

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Candle Fire Safety Tips

PREVENT Candle Fires. Follow the circle of Safety, is part of a list of Fire Factors from the Office of the State Fire Marshall. The following link will take you to that list of fire prevention tips for candle fire safety.

Candle Circle of Safety

• Burn candles inside a one foot circle of safety, an area free of anything that could come in contact with the flame and burn.
• Stay in the same room with burning candles; never leave them burning unattended.
• Use candles out of reach of children and pets.
• Keep all matches and lighters out of reach of children.
• Teach everyone in the family the rules of safe candle use.
• Candle fires have tripled in Massachusetts over the past decade!
• Candles have become one of the leading causes of fire deaths in the home in this state.

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• Portable generators are useful when temporary or remote electric power is needed, but they also can be hazardous. The primary hazards to avoid when using a generator are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust, electric shock or electrocution, and fire.
• Every year people die in incidents related to portable generator use. Most of the incidents associated with portable generators reported to CPSC involve poisoning from generators used indoors or in partially-enclosed spaces.
• Carbon Monoxide hazards.
  NEVER use a generator in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces.
  NEVER run it indoors, including garages, basements, and crawlspaces.
  Get to fresh air right away if you start to feel dizzy or weak.
• Electrical Hazards.
  Keep the generator dry and do not use in rain or wet conditions.
  Plug appliances directly into the generator. Or, use a heavy duty outdoor-rated extension cord that is rated (in watts or amps) at least equal to the sum of the connected appliance loads.
  NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet, a practice known as "backfeeding." This is an extremely dangerous practice that presents an electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors served by the same utility transformer. It also bypassed some of the built-in household circuit protection devices.
• Fire Hazards
  Never story fuel for your generator in the home. Gasoline, propane, kerosene, and other flammable liquids should be stored outside of living areas in properly-labeled, non-glass safety containers.
  Before refueling the generator, turn it off and let is cool down. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite.

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Tree Safety

• Never use candles as decorations.
• Keep tree away from heat.
• Never use a cut tree in a place of public assembly (apartment or hotel lobbies, restaurants, etc.)
• Water a cut tree daily.
• Use a "non-tip" style tree stand.
• Use only fire retardant decorations.
• NEVER leave a tree unattended
• Dispose of your tree properly, soon after the holiday before needles dry out.
• Artificial trees should have a fire retardant label.

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Holiday Lights

• Unplug all lighting before retiring for the evening or leaving the house.
• Blow out candle before leaving the room. Don't leave candles burning unattended.
• Purchase lights and electric decorations which are listed by an approved testing agency such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL).
• Check all lighting for frayed wires, broken plugs, sockets. etc.
• Never overload outlets. Use no more than three strands of lights on a single extension cord.
• Never use candles on trees, near live or other flammable decorations.
• Never hang lights on a metallic tree.
• Always use appropriate weatherproof lights outdoors.

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Chimney and Woodstove Fire Safety

Chimney and Woodstove Fire Safety is part of a list of Fire Factors from the Office of the State Fire Marshall. The following link will take you to that list of fire prevention tips for Chimney and Woodstove Fire Safety.

In 2001, there were 665 fire incidents involving solid fueled appliances, fireplaces, and chimneys. These fires were responsible for 20 injured, 1 fire death, and resulted in $3.2 million in property losses. These incidents make up 45% of all fires linked to heating systems.

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Space Heater Fire Safety

Space Heater Fire Safety is part of a list of Fire Factors from the Office of the State Fire Marshall. The following link will take you to that list of fire prevention tips for Space Heater Fire Safety.

Space Heater Fires in 2001
Twenty-seven space heater fires were reported to the Office of the State Fire Marshall in 2001. These fires caused two civilian injuries, four firefighter injuries, and an estimated dollar loss of $575,580. Forty-one percent (41%) of these fires were caused when combustible materials such as bedding, rubbish or furniture that were too close to the heater, and another 11% were caused by other electrical failure such as an overloaded extension cord.

Safety tips
If you must use a space heater for heat, use it as safely as possible.

• When buying a heater, look for one that has been tested and labeled by a nationally recognized testing company.
• Keep the heater away from drapes, furniture, or other flammable materials. Place it on a level surface away from areas where someone might bump it and knock it over.
• If you must use an extension cord, make sure it is a heavy duty cord marked with a power rating at least as high as that on the label of the heater itself. (These are usually orange colored.)
• Never leave a space heater unattended or running while you sleep.
• Keep electric heaters away from water. Never use them near a sink or in the bathroom.
• The sale and use of un vented kerosene heaters is illegal in Massachusetts.

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Carbon Monoxide

The following information on Carbon Monoxide was copied from the Regional Center for Poison Control and Prevention. The following link will take you to the information posted regarding Carbon Monoxide.

The above link will give you information on

• What is Carbon Monoxide (CO)?
• What are sources of CO?
• Common symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu.
• In you suspect CO poisoning, what to do.
• How you can prevent CO poisoning?

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