Seymour children learn fire safety

Poster contest winners congratulated

Seymour Fire Marshal Paul G. Wetowitz Wednesday holds the first-place winning poster in a contest he sponsored this summer at Explorers Learning Center in Seymour. 
The artist, McKenna Walters, 9, was not on hand for the photo. Second place winner is Olivia DeToto, 8, center, and third place honors went to Javae McCowan, 9. 
Both children are from Seymour. 

Shelton FD provides prevention tips

SHELTON -The Shelton Fire Department, consisting of members of Echo Hose, Huntington, Pine Rock Park, and White Hills volunteer fire companies, are currently involved in fire safety activities that will continue through October.
These programs are part of an effort to reduce the chances of residents being injured or killed by fire in addition to preserving property.

To encourage greater care when cooking and an awareness of kitchen fire dangers, the National Fire Protection Association is promoting “Prevent Kitchen Fires” as the theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign.

In an effort to better educate everyone about fire safety, the Shelton Fire Department encourages everyone to have safe kitchen habits with stoves, microwaves and other appliances.
Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Chief-Fire Prevention, states “remaining attentive while cooking and managing how close children and pets are to anything hot will help keep families safe.”  
Use these important kitchen safety tips:

·         Be alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.

·         Keep an eye on what you fry! Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.

·         If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.

·         Keep anything that can catch fire – oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains – away from your stove top.

·         Have a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

·       Turn pot handles away from the stove’s edge.

·         Keep a lid and oven mitt nearby when you’re cooking to use in case of a grease fire. If you have a grease fire, slide a lid over the pan. Turn off the burner and leave the pan covered until it is completely cool. 

In conjunction with making every effort to prevent a fire from ever happening, be prepared by maintaining working smoke alarms throughout the entire home. Follow these tips for making sure smoke alarms are maintained and working properly:

·         Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button, and make sure everyone in your home knows their sound.

·         If an alarm “chirps,” warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.

·         Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they’re 10 years old (or sooner) if they do not respond properly when tested.

·         Never remove or disable a smoke alarm.

Pisciotta is encouraging businesses, organizations, and individuals throughout the city to visit the Fire Prevention Bureau site by clicking on “Public Safety” at www.cityofshelton.org.
Easy to print and post fire safety tips are available. In addition, information may be copied and pasted into newsletters, etc.


This is a press release from the Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau.

Crisco, Klarides honor Woodbridge firefighters

HARTFORD – State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, and state Rep. Themis Klarides R-Derby, have prepared a special legislative citation to honor the Woodbridge Fire Department, its volunteer members, and their recent efforts to raise fire prevention awareness in the community. 

The lawmakers specifically cited this year’s second annual Fire Safety and Prevention Day, in memory of Woodbridge resident Eva Ryan Block, a college student who died in a January, 2012 house fire, as an example of the department’s extraordinary outreach efforts.

The formal citation reads as follows: “In Recognition of your hard work and dedication to the Town of Woodbridge, we express our sincerest gratitude to the members of the Woodbridge Volunteer Fire Department, both past and present, for your tremendous efforts in response to emergencies, helping to save lives and property. Thank you for your service to the community and for continuing to keep residents safe in Woodbridge and the surrounding area.”

“The entire Woodbridge community was shaken 18 months ago after that tragic and preventable loss of life. Members of the town’s fire department – in conjunction with family members – took it upon themselves to extract some good from the sadness and have now held two successive Fire Safety and Prevention Days to help residents stay vigilant,” Crisco said. 
“The timing of this citation for the Woodbridge volunteers is particularly poignant given the sacrifice made by 19 elite firefighters in Arizona who died last weekend, reminding us of the courageous efforts made by first responders everywhere.”

Crisco said the Woodbridge Fire Department’s Fire Safety and Prevention Day includes a fire station open house, demonstrations of firefighting equipment, a chance to try on firefighting gear, and lessons about emergency rescue capabilities.

Residents are also reminded about the importance of and protocol for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and other fire prevention techniques.

“Woodbridge firefighters make us proud every day by bravely and selflessly taking time away from their jobs and loved ones to provide exceptional fire and rescue services to our community,”  Klarides said. “I would like to express my genuine gratitude and appreciation for their unwavering dedication to keeping our families and homes safe.”

This post is taken from a press release from Crisco's office.

Shelton official offers fire-safety precautions

SHELTON – Recent excessive snowfall has prompted the Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau to alert the public of common fire hazards that must be immediately recognized. 
 Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Chief – Fire Prevention, encourages everyone to be highly vigilant to avoid having a fire within a home or business. 
Consider the following fire safety precautions to help fellow citizens, homes, and businesses of our community from the potential threat of fire. 

• Do not use candles for any reason. Do not permit open flames within home or business.
• Avoid use of portable space heaters, but if necessary be sure the heater has a thermostat and built-in protection from overturning.  Always provide a minimum three-foot clearance between space heaters and anything that can burn. This includes rugs, curtains, and furniture. Due to multiple hazards use of kerosene heaters should be avoided.
• Do not smoke indoors. Ensure cigarette butts are extinguished.
• Carefully consider the benefit vs. consequence of using a fireplace. Only use a fireplace if you are confident of the condition of your chimney through annual inspection and cleaning by a professional. Burn only properly seasoned wood. Know the proper use of your fireplace. Store removed ashes in a tightly covered metal container outdoors, a safe distance from the home. Never place ashes in boxes, bags, or plastic containers and never on a wood deck or near the house.
• Pay close attention to all cooking, including using toasters, toaster ovens and other cooking appliances. Do not leave the kitchen.
• Ensure that the outdoor vent of any clothes dryer is clear and not blocked by snow accumulation or drifting. Clean lint from the dryer screen (trap) before or after each use. Clean lint from the duct (vent hose) that carries air from the dryer to outdoors. Keep the area around and over the dryer free and clear.
• Turn off and unplug electrical appliances, devices, and products not in use.
• Verify that all smoke alarms work. If the alarm sounds or indication of fire within the home is notices, ensure that all occupants evacuate immediately.
• Remove snow (or have someone remove snow) from entry and exit doors of your home or business. This includes those that may be needed for emergency evacuation or escape in the event of fire.
• If a fire hydrant is near your home or business, try to keep it clear of snow and debris for easy access by the fire department.

Throughout the year always 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.

Fire prevention poster, essay contest winners named

Annual awards presented this week
SHELTON – The two first place Fire Prevention Poster Contest winners, a fourth grade and a fifth grade winner, were announced Wednesday at the annual Shelton Fire Prevention Contest Awards Ceremony  at Shelton City Hall. Overall City of Shelton Winners is as follows: Grade 4  - Berra Barkana of Mohegan School; Grade 5  - Isabela Baghdady of St. Lawrence School.

Each poster will now advance to a state level contest. 

Assistant Chief Ted Pisciotta congratulated students and thanked parents, teachers, principals, and firefighters for their efforts.
John Anglace, President of the Board of Aldermen, spoke about the benefit of the annual contest and his gratitude for all the many individuals that support this fire safety program.
 All first and second place winners from the fourth and fifth grade representing each of Shelton’s public and parochial schools,  received a cash award of $75 and $50, respectively, from Anglace. The two overall City of Shelton winners, were presented a cash award of $100, a certificate, and a medal.

The annual poster contest, launched in 1984, is designed to develop fire safety awareness in youngsters and to encourage them to take the message home to their families.
It is jointly sponsored by Connecticut FAIR Plan, representing the insurance industry in the state; the Connecticut Fire Marshals Association; Connecticut Board of Education and the Office of State Fire Marshal. 
The local contest is administered by the Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau. Approximately 900 posters were submitted this year from Booth Hill, Elizabeth Shelton, Long Hill, Mohegan, Perry Hill, St. Joseph, St. Lawrence and Sunnyside schools. 
Each student who submitted a poster will receive a Certificate of Appreciation and a pen from the Connecticut Fire Prevention Poster Committee. Judging was held on Dec. 19 with representatives from the Board of Aldermen as judges. All first place posters will be displayed over the next year at schools, public buildings, and events. 

Essay contest winners

Anglace also presented cash awards and certificates to winners of the Sixth Grade Essay/Public Service Announcement Contest. Classrooms received a cash award of $100, $75, and $50 for first, second, and third place, respectively. Each student author received a cash award of $50. 
The Bureau is thankful for the volunteer essay/PSA judges from the Shelton Patch and Valley Independent Sentinel.
Since the contest began in 1996, its purpose has been to promote fire safety by having students research the topic while writing their PSA. 
The fire department/fire prevention bureau would like to use the essay to help remind adults and children how important fire prevention is to Everyone/Everyday. 
This year’s winners are:

1st Place

Mr. Fabrizi’s Class, Perry Hill School

Student Authors:  Alyssa Bretan and Codi Lynders

2nd Place

Mrs. Reilly’s Class, Perry Hill School

Student Authors:  Sarah Gloria and Kaitlyn Lupia

3rd Place

Mrs. Novak’s Class, St. Lawrence School

Student Author:  Peter Sandri

Students of both the poster and essay contests depicted many of the essential elements of preventing fire from ever occurring and of preparation and planning required to be ready for fire. 
Pisciotta hopes the messages of posters and essays will be shared with everyone in the community to help further reduce needless damage to property, injury to persons and loss of life that can result from fire.
In addition to spreading information about fire safety, Pisciotta also finds the contest helpful to measure the effectiveness of educational programs of the fire prevention bureau. "From reviewing the nearly 900 posters and 40 essays it becomes apparent where we have made a great impact and have identified areas where special focus may be needed to improve our educational efforts," he said.

For information contact the Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau at 924-1555 or on the web at www.cityofshelton.org.

This information was taken from a press release from Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Chief. 

Fire official offers holiday season safety tips

SHELTON – The City of Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau would like to remind everyone that it is important to make fire prevention a top priority when decorating and celebrating this holiday season.  

Fires involving holiday trees, lights, candles and cooking pose a serious threat during this time of year. 
Decorating homes and businesses is a long-standing tradition around the holiday season. Unfortunately, these same decorations may increase your chances of fire that can cause extensive damage to property, in addition to possible injury or death.

Following a few simple fire safety tips can keep electric lights, candles, and a Christmas tree from creating a tragedy. 

Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Chief - Fire Prevention, believes that everyone can help ensure a safe and happy holiday by considering hazards associated with holiday trees, decorative lighting, candles, and cooking.

·         If you plan on a "live/cut" tree, be sure it is remains fresh and is never dry. Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull from the branches, and a needle should bend, not break, if the tree has been freshly cut. Bouncing the tree trunk on the ground can identify old trees. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard. Do not put the tree within three feet of a fireplace, space heater, radiator, or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame, or sparks. Do not leave a tree up for longer than two weeks and be sure to keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.

·         Holiday lights can be a potential ignition source. Only use lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory. Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe.  Make sure to periodically check the wires - they should not be warm to the touch. Never leave a lighted Christmas tree or other decorative lighting display unattended. Inspect lights for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections, and broken sockets. Do not overload extension cords or outlets and do not run an electrical cord under a rug.

·         Avoid using lit candles. If you do use them, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where children, pets, or cords from vacuum cleaners etc. cannot easily knock them over. Consider where combustible items might be placed and where candles could be knocked over and where they could be forgotten about over time. Never leave the house or go to sleep with candles burning. Of course, battery-powered, flameless “candles” are always preferred are becoming more available in retail stores, and on the web.

·         Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking. Many fires that start small occur when food is left on the stove or the oven unattended. Always keep an oven mitt and lid nearby when you're cooking. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Don't remove the lid until it is completely cool, and never, ever try to move the pan anywhere! If there is an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. Of course, for any fire situation call 911 immediately!

·         Remember, at any place of business or at home, make sure all exits are accessible and not blocked by decorations or trees.

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 “911” for help.  And remember to practice your home escape plan.

For information, contact the Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau, 203-924-1555 or on the web under “Public Safety” at www.cityofshelton.org.                    

Safety tips for holiday cooking offered

SHELTON - The Shelton Fire Department is urging the public to keep safety in mind when preparing holiday meals and using candles.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving remains the leading day for cooking fires, with three times as many cooking fires as an average day. Most fires that result during cooking can be avoided by paying attention and being organized.

To prevent a fire or injury and stay safe when cooking and celebrating Thanksgiving, follow these simple rules:
·         Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food.
·         If you must leave the home for even a short period of time, turn off the stove or oven.
·         If you are simmering, baking, boiling, or roasting food, check it regularly and remain in the home while food is cooking. Use a timer to remind you the stove or oven is on.
·         Stay alert. Don’t cook if you are sleepy, have been drinking alcohol or have taken medicine that makes you drowsy.
·         Keep things that burn – pot holders, oven mitts, paper or plastic - off your stovetop.
·         Don’t store things that can burn in an oven, microwave, or toaster oven.
·         Clean food and grease off burners, stove tops, and ovens.
·         Wear clothing with sleeves that are short, close fitting, or tightly rolled up.
·         Always keep an oven mitt and lid nearby when you're cooking. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Don't remove the lid until it is completely cool.
·         If there is an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you and your clothing. Have the oven serviced before you use it again.
·         Use turkey fryers outdoors, away from the home and deck. Always monitor oil temperature.
·         Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay three feet away.
·         Never leave children alone in room with a lit a candle.
·         Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

Take care using candles
Don’t forget about lit candles. Place them in a safe location that is kept free of combustible surroundings.
Consider where combustible items might be placed and where candles could be knocked over and where they could be forgotten about over time.

Of course, battery-powered, flame-less “candles” are always preferred and are becoming more available in retail stores, and on the web.

For information on fire safety and specific guidelines on safe cooking, turkey fryers and candles, visit Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau Web Site under Public Safety, www.cityofshelton.org.
            
The above information was contributed by Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Chief, Fire Prevention in Shelton.

Reminder: Change smoke alarm batteries

Fire official urges replacing batteries when changing clocks


SHELTON - The Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau urges everyone to change their smoke alarm batteries when changing their clocks for Sunday.

Working smoke alarms save lives. According to the National Fire Protection Association working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half. In cases where smoke alarms do not work at the time of a fire, the batteries are typically dead or missing.
Smoke alarms should be installed and maintained throughout every home.
Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Chief, Fire Prevention, suggests checking the age of all smoke alarms as well.
Any smoke alarm of 10 years in age should be replaced. Pisciotta also suggests testing each smoke alarm by pressing the test button. This ensures that it works and everyone in the family is familiar with the sound. Do this every month.
Testing smoke alarms is also a good opportunity for the entire family to review and practice their home escape plan. Practice promptly exiting the home with two ways out.
Gather outside at a designated meeting place and discuss how during a real emergency someone would then immediately call 911 for help.

           

Shelton fire official urges caution during power outages

SHELTON  - The Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau urges everyone to exercise caution when using alternate means of generating electricity, lighting, and cooking, during the power outages.

Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Chief, Fire Prevention, states such outages can present fire hazards that many people might not normally think about. Recent severe weather has been a reminder of how important it is to be prepared and keep safety in mind.
The fire prevention bureau recommends planning ahead of time and offers the following safety tips:

·    If you have a portable generator, or other fuel-powered appliance, only run and use it outdoors with adequate ventilation. Never use a generator or fuel powered equipment indoors, within a basement, or in a shed or garage even if doors and windows are open. Exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, which can be deadly if inhaled. This is in addition to the fire hazards associated with fuels involved with this equipment. Keep generators outside and far away from windows, doors, and vents. Read both the label on your generator and the owner's manual and follow the instructions.

·    Plug individual appliances into the generator using heavy duty, outdoor rated cords with a wire gauge adequate for the appliance load.
 
 ·    Avoid the use of candles. With a variety of alternative sources of lighting available, candles should not be needed. Instead use battery operated lighting and flashlights or glowsticks that do not require flame.

·   Never use charcoal grills or camp stoves indoors. Deaths have occurred when consumers burned charcoal or used camp stoves in enclosed spaces, which produced lethal levels of carbon monoxide.

·   Install carbon monoxide alarms immediately outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home to protect against CO poisoning. Change the alarms' batteries every year.

    Finally, 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 “911” for help.  And remember to practice your home escape plan.

  For information, contact the Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau, 203- 924-1555 or on the web under “Public Safety” at www.cityofshelton.org.
   

Shelton fire official offers safety tips concerning oxygen

SHELTON -  Use of portable medical oxygen in the home is not uncommon and is very beneficial to many people. Medical oxygen adds a higher percentage of oxygen to the air a patient uses to breathe.

However, Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Chief, Fire Prevention would like to inform everyone who might be involved in a household where medical oxygen is used of the fire hazards that could exist. Fire needs oxygen to burn.
An increase of oxygen in air could cause a combustible material to ignite more easily. Oxygen that is permitted to saturate fabric covered furniture, clothing, hair or bedding, could make it easier for a fire to start and spread.
If a fire should start in an oxygen-enriched area, the material burning will burn more quickly.

According to the National Fire Protection Association smoking materials are the leading heat source resulting in medical oxygen related fires, injuries and deaths. If a patient is on oxygen, they should not smoke.

Pisciotta and the NFPA say homes where medical oxygen is used need to have specific fire-safety rules in place to keep people safe from fire and burns. The NPFA, along with the Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau, offer the following fire safety tips:

·         Candles, matches, wood stoves and even sparking toys, can be ignition sources and should not be used in the home.

·         Keep oxygen cylinders at least five feet from a heat source, open flames or electrical devices.

·         Body oil, hand lotion and items containing oil and grease can easily ignite. Keep oil and grease away where oxygen is in use.

·         Never use aerosol sprays containing combustible materials near the oxygen.

·         Do not permit anyone to smoke in the home.

·         Post “No Smoking” and “No Open Flames” signs in and outside the home to remind people not to smoke.

Always 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.

For information on fire safety, visit the Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau site under Public Safety at www.cityofshelton.org          

This information was taken from a release from Ted Pisciotta.

Summer fire-safety tips shared

SHELTON -  Summertime presents the return of several seasonal fire hazards with activities shifting outdoors.
Among the most common involve cooking grills, wooden decks, and use of gasoline and other flammable liquids.
Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Chief, Fire Prevention encourages everyone to consider the following:
Locate grills and any propane tanks/cylinders a safe distance from buildings, wooden decks and other combustibles. Never store propane indoors!

Check propane gas hose connection is tight and check hoses carefully for leaks.  Applying soapy water to the hoses will easily and safely reveal any leaks.

Inspect and clean of venturi tubes and burner (check owner’s manual) of gas grills where spiders and small insects may make nests or spider webs.  This could lead to a fire.  Frequent inspection and cleaning is typically necessary before use.

Only use charcoal starter fluids designed for grills and do not add fluid after coals have been lit.

Eliminate dry leaves, combustible storage, or other debris from beneath wood or plastic constructed decks.  Avoid staging trash and other combustible materials on the deck.

Avoid smoking on a wood deck.  If you permit smoking, use suitable disposal containers/ashtrays.  Never use paper or plastic cups, napkins etc.

Store gasoline and other flammable liquids in a building separate from the house or place of residence, such as a secured shed located a distance from the main structure.  Never store such liquids or propane cylinders within and attached garage or basement!  Always keep out of reach from children.

Use gasoline only for its intended purpose, as a motor fuel. Handle gasoline outdoors only.

 Always 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.

For additional information on fire safety, visit the Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau website at: www.cityofshelton.org.


The above was provided by Ted Pisciotta, assistant chief, fire prevention.