Seymour Student Wins State Fire Prevention Poster Contest

Samuel Rodrigue, center, with his parents Glen and Melissa

SEYMOUR - Seymour 5th grader Samuel Rodrigue was recently recognized as one of two New Haven County students who won the state's annual fire prevention poster contest.

Samuel and his parents, Melissa and Glen Rodrigue, attended the 2017-18 awards banquet of the Connecticut Fire Prevention Poster Program, along with Seymour Fire Marshal Paul Wetowitz and Chatfield-LoPresti School Principal Dave Olechna.

"It was a great event that involves 4th and 5th graders around the state to draw posters and send a fire prevention message," Wetowitz said.

Samuel, a student at Chatfield-LoPresti School, won a $150 prize and a certificate. The awards program held at the Chowder Pot Restaurant in Hartford, featured lunch, a magic show and  the awards presentation. Samuel's poster will be in next year's calendar and hang in the State Capitol building during fire prevention week in October.

Wetowitz said Samuel competed amongst thousands of other students in 5th grade in New Haven County, with his poster one of the two winning selections.

(Information submitted by Seymour Fire Marshall Paul Wetowitz)

Poster Contest Winners Announced

 

Pictured left to right: Glen Rodrigue, Sam Rodrigue, Fire Marshal Wetowitz, Principal Olechna, Jade Rinaldi, Jessica Hubinger

 

 

SEYMOUR -  Today the two winners of the Fire Prevention Poster Contest for Seymour received a special treat.  They were allowed to ride to school in style, on board Seymour Fire Department’s Rescue 12.  The winners were accompanied by a parent and had the chance to see where the firefighters ride to emergencies.  The lights and sirens may have even been turned on for a bit. 

Chatfield-LoPresti School fifth grader Sam Rodrigue was selected as the winner for Seymour from the fifth grade.  He and his father Glen were picked up at home and were able to take the trip to school.  CLS fourth grader Jade Rinaldi was selected as the winner for Seymour from fourth grade.  She was accompanied by her mother Jessica Hubinger. 

The winner’s posters have moved on to the New Haven County round where they will compete against other posters from the area.  Eventually one winner will be chosen for the State from each grade.  One poster will be selected to be the cover of next year’s fire prevention calendar. 

The annual Fire Prevention Poster Contest is a cooperative effort of the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Connecticut Department of Education, Connecticut Fire Marshal’s Association, Connecticut Fire Chief’s Association, and the Connecticut FAIR Plan, which represents the Connecticut Insurance Industry.

Congratulations to all of our winners and thank you to all the students from Seymour’s Schools that participated.  We hope they had as much fun working on them as we did judging them and awarding our winners. 

(This is a press release from Seymour Fire Marshal's Office)

 

Ansonia Students Create Award-Winning Posters

Mead School Fire Prevention Poster Contest winners (from left, first row) Fahmida Chowdhury, Lizsandra Muniz, Logan Coon, Alleyanna Figueroa, Jamiah Renee Carrillo, and Karisma Jones; and (second row, from left) Superintendent Dr. Carol Merlone, Principal Amy O’Brien, Assistant Principal John Coppola, and Ansonia Fire Marshal Ralph Tingley.

The Prendergast School Fire Prevention Poster Contest winners are (from left, first row) Karleigh Gatison, Makayla D’Alessio, Samantha Burton, Alana Morell, Maqila Mosley, and Jaden Manning. They are congratulated by (from left, second row), Assistant Principal Sara Crooks, Principal Liz Nimons, Fire Marshal Ralph Tingley, and Superintendent Dr. Carol Merlone.

ANSONIA – The winners of the annual Fire Prevention Poster Contest for Ansonia Public Schools have been announced by Fire Marshal Ralph Tingley. Gift cards were presented to the top three winners in Grades 4 and 5 for Mead and Prendergast Schools.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carol Merlone joined the building principals for the presentation on Jan. 4, 2017.

Lizsandra Muniz, a fourth grader at Mead, and Karleigh Gatison, a fifth grader at Prendergast, were the first prize winners for their grade levels and were also selected as the grand prize winners for the city. Their posters are on display in the State Capitol in Hartford.

The other winners of the contest at Mead are as follows: Grade 4, second prize, Alleyanna Figueroa, and third prize, Karisma Jones; and Grade 5, first prize, Fahmida Chowdhury, second prize, Logan Coon, and third prize, Jamiah Renee Carrillo.

At Prendergast, fourth grade winners are Makayla D’Alessio (first prize), Alana Morell (second prize) and Jaden Manning (third prize), while the other two fifth grade winners are Samantha Burton (second prize) and Maqila Mosley (third prize).
(This is a press release from Ansonia Schools) 

Ansonia Students Win Fire Prevention Poster Contest

Bungay School Students Win Poster Contest

SEYMOUR - Once a year many local Fire Marshals around the State promote a Fire Prevention Poster Contest involving fourth and fifth graders within their elementary schools.

 

This is a cooperative effort throughout the State involving many State Agencies, Fire Department and Fire Marshal Associations and the Connecticut FAIR Plan (representing the insurance industry). Students with the assistance of their teachers create posters that promote fire safety within their community and homes.

 

Fire safety information and examples are given to their teachers from the local Fire Marshal. The local Fire Marshal along with his or her team select the best one from the fourth and fifth grades. It is a difficult task but one I love doing. Those are then passed on to the County level where the best ones are chosen and then passed on to the State level.  

 

This year Bungay School had two winners, one in fourth grade, and the other in fifth grade.

 

"As Fire Marshal, I love going thru the hundreds of posters and observing the creative art form that the children have," said Fire Marshal Paul Wetowitz.” "Also, I am hoping that the fire safety lesson they learn will one day save themselves, family members, friends and people from the effects of fires.

Also, I am hoping that the messages they take with them will last a life time and they pass it on. Any fire is one fire too many to occur."

 

These two Bungay students, along with the other winners from Chatfield School, will also be offered a ride to school in one of the Fire Department’s trucks.

 

"Imagine going to school with lights blazing and siren sounding?" Wetowitz added.

 

Country and State winners will receive a monetary check along with the School receiving a matching grant. Their posters will also be displayed in locations around the State. 

(This is a press release from Bungay School) 

Ansonia school's Fire Prevention Poster contest winners announced

ANSONIA >> The winners of the annual Fire Prevention Poster Contest for Ansonia Public Schools have been announced by Fire Marshal Ralph Tingley. Gift cards were presented to the top three winners in Grades 4 and 5 for Mead and Prendergast Schools.

In addition to the fire marshal, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carol Merlone, Mayor David Cassetti and school principals participated in the presentation Feb. 5.

Two students who were first prize winners at Mead School have been selected as the grand prize winners for the city, and their posters are on display in the State Capitol in Hartford. The students are fourth grader Willow Cappa and fifth grader Jovi Guevara. The other winners of the contest at Mead are as follows: Grade 4, second prize, Nicholas Fahy; and third prize, Hali Langer; and Grade 5, second prize, Jhael Molina; and third prize, Elaina Cibulas.

At Prendergast, fourth grade winners are Julia Kaye (first prize), Nikky Tran (second prize) and Jordyn Zealor (third prize), while the fifth grade winners are Maya Frager (first prize), Allison White (second prize) and Mikenna Davis (third prize).

Mead School Fire Prevention Poster Contest winners (from left, first row) Elaina Cibulas, Hali Langer, Jovi Guevara, Willow Cappa, Nicholas Fahy, and Jhael Molina are congratulated by (second row, from left) Assistant Principal John Coppola, Superintendent Dr. Carol Merlone, Mayor David Cassetti and Ansonia Fire Marshal Ralph Tingley.

The Prendergast School Fire Prevention Poster Contest winners are (from left, first row) Mikenna Davis, Allison White, Maya Frager, Julia Kaye, Nikki Tran, and Jordyn Zealor. They are congratulated by (from left, second row), Assistant Principal Sherrod McNeill, Principal Joe Apicella, Superintendent Dr. Carol Merlone, Mayor David Cassetti, and Fire Marshal Ralph Tingley.

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. 

Ansonia announces fire-prevention poster contest winners

At Mead, Prendergast schools

John C. Mead School winners

John G. Prendergast School winners

ANSONIA - Fire Marshal Ralph Tingley has announced the winners of the annual Fire Prevention Poster Contest for Ansonia Public Schools..
Gift cards were presented to the top three winners in Grades 4 and 5 for Mead and Prendergast Schools.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carol Merlone and Assistant Superintendent Michael Wilson joined the building principals for Tuesday's presentation.

Adisa Gjonbalaj, a fifth grader at Mead, is the grand prize winner for the city. Her poster is on display in the state Capitol in Hartford.

The other winners at Mead are as follows: Grade 4, first prize, Kendall Cain; second prize, Hannah Vu; and third prize, Jovi Guevara. Adisa is the first place winner for Grade 5, while Theresa Kardos won second and Gabriella Gjoni took the third prize.

At Prendergast, fourth grade winners are Amani Gonzalez, first prize; Emily Borona, second prize; and Devin Allen, third prize, while the fifth grade winners are Gabriella Morales, first prize; Lily Romanowski, second prize; and Tessa Peluso, third prize.



This is a press release from Ansonia Public Schools. 

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 FD reminds residents to take safety on vacation

SHELTON – During this upcoming vacation season, the Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau reminds everyone to consider fire safety when traveling.

According to Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Chief – Fire Prevention, concern for fire safety should not be left home as the risk of injury or death from fire remains wherever we go. 

 Following are a few safety tips to assist you in preparing for fire safe traveling: 
           Choose a place to stay that is protected by both smoke alarms and a fire sprinkler system.  A quick and easy way to find a hotel or motel that you can be confident will have these safety features is to log onto the United States Fire Administration website at www.usfa.fema.gov and look under the “Hotel-Motel List” tab. 

          Simply enter a property name, city, or state for a quick search. Facilities meeting requirements of the Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act of 1990 are listed on this site. 
         This Act was passed into law by Congress to save lives and protect property by promoting fire and life safety in hotels, motels and other places of public accommodation. 
        The law mandates that federal employees on travel must stay in public accommodations that adhere to the life safety requirements in the legislation guidelines.  It also states that federally funded meetings and conferences cannot be held in properties that do not comply with the law. 

      Facilities that meet the requirements of this law are equipped with smoke detection and sprinklers. It’s smart for any individual, family, or business to follow this same practice.

•        Take a flashlight.
•        Read the fire evacuation plan of the facility you are staying in carefully. Often it is posted on the inside of your room door.  If one is not posted in your room, request one from the front desk.
•        Locate two exits from your room, floor, and building. Take a quick walk and get familiar with the layout.  Make sure the exits are unlocked and unobstructed. If they are locked or obstructed, report it to management immediately.
•        Count the number of doors between your room and the exits. This will assist you in the need of an emergency evacuation.
•        Locate the fire alarms on your floor.  When you check in, ask the front desk what the fire alarm sounds like. If the alarm sounds, evacuate immediately. Use the stairs — never use elevators during a fire.
•        Many lodging facilities now have kitchens or cooking areas, the most common area where fires occur.  Therefore, follow the same fire safety rules as at home: pay attention at all times and use heating devices properly. 

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


          This post is taken from a press release from Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Chief - Fire Prevention.

Shelton 5th grader earns Fairfield County honor

 In Connecticut Fire Prevention Poster Contest

Isabela Baghdady's award-winning artwork 

 

SHELTON – Isabela Baghdady, a fifth grader at St. Lawrence School, was honored along with 32 other winners of 2012-2013 Connecticut Fire Prevention Poster Contest. 
Isabela and three other Fairfield County students were selected as County Winners. 

During an awards luncheon March 27 in Cromwell, Isabela was awarded a $100 savings bond and a framed County Winner Certificate.

Isabela Baghdady

In attendance were her mother, Rosa Baghdady, and Fire Marshal James Tortora. 

Isabela's poster outlines a few important aspects of fire safety. 
Using her slogan, “Follow the Three “P’s!”, Prevent – Plan – Practice, she instructs to not play with matches, have working smoke alarms, make an escape plan, know emergency numbers and  practice the escape plan with the family.  

Assistant Chief Ted Pisciotta said, "Isabela clearly understands and captures the important aspects of fire safety that everyone should consider."  

"She obviously applied a great amount of careful thought and planning in developing her poster."  

Her poster will be printed in the 2014 Connecticut State Fire Prevention Calendar and will be on display during Fire Prevention Week at the State Capitol.

The contest 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. 

In January of this year, Isabela was presented an award as fifth grade city winner in Shelton.
Nearly 1,000 fourth-and fifth-graders from Shelton public and parochial schools participated in the competition. 
Isabela's poster as well as the first-place winning posters from each school is part of a portable art display that is currently being transported to various locations of the city. 

For information about fire safety, the public is encouraged to contact the Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau, 203-924-1555 or under “Public Safety” at www.cityofshelton.org.

This post is taken from a press release from Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Chief, Fire Prevention, City of Shelton.

Grant to aid Ansonia firefighters in prevention efforts

Michael Spaziani, manager of the fire prevention grant program, presents a check to Ansonia Fire Marshal Ray Tingley and Mayor James Della Volpe. The grant will be used to assist with pre-fire planning to efficiently collect and track data related to local community buildings. The information will help the fire service respond in an emergency situation.


ANSONIA -- The Ansonia Fire Department has received a $1,892 fire-prevention grant from FM Global, one of the world’s largest commercial property insurers.

FM Global representatives presented the award to Mayor James Della Volpe and Fire Marshal Ray Tingley at City Hall. The award will be used to assist with pre-fire planning to efficiently collect and track data related to local community buildings. The information will help the fire service respond in an emergency situation.

Because fire continues to be the leading cause of property damage worldwide, during the past 35 years FM Global has contributed millions of dollars in fire prevention grants to fire service organizations around the globe. Locally, the company has awarded grants to a number of Connecticut-based organizations.

 “At FM Global, we strongly believe the majority of property damage is preventable, not inevitable,” said Michael Spaziani, manager of the fire prevention grant program. “Far too often, inadequate budgets prevent those organizations working to prevent fire from being as proactive as they would like to be. With additional financial support, grant recipients are actively helping to improve property risk in the communities they serve.”

Through its Fire Prevention Grant Program, FM Global awards grants quarterly to fire departments—as well as national, state, regional, local and community organizations worldwide—that best demonstrate a need for funding, where dollars can have the most demonstrable impact on preventing fire, or mitigating the damage it can quickly cause.

To learn more about FM Global’s Fire Prevention Grant Program, or to apply for a grant, visit www.fmglobal.com/grants.

For more than 175 years, many of the world’s largest organizations have turned to FM Global to develop cost-effective property insurance and engineering solutions to protect their business operations from fire, natural disasters and other types of property risk. 
With clients in more than 130 countries, FM Global ranks #572 among FORTUNE magazine’s largest companies in America and is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best and AA (Very Strong) by Fitch Ratings. 
The company has been named “Best Property Insurer in the World” by Euromoney magazine, “Best Global Property Insurer” by Global Finance magazine and was voted “Best Commercial Property Insurer” in Business Insurance’s 2010 annual Readers Choice Awards.

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.                    

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.
   

October is Fire Prevention Month: Stay safe

Fire official says plan 2 ways out 

SHELTON  - The Shelton Fire Department, consisting of members of Echo Hose, Huntington, Pine Rock Park, and White Hills volunteer fire companies, is currently involved in various 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 families to prioritize fire escape planning and practice their plan, the National Fire Protection Association is promoting “Have Two Ways Out!” 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 a fire escape plan that prepares families to think fast and get out quickly when the smoke alarm sounds.

Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Chief – Fire Prevention, says if one exit is blocked by smoke, it’s imperative to plan for another escape outlet.
Use these tips for planning your family’s escape:

·         Make a map of your home. Mark a door and a window that can be used to get out of every room.

·         Choose a meeting place outside in front of your home. This is where everyone can meet once they’ve escaped. Draw a picture of your outside meeting place on your escape plan.

·         Review calling 911 with everyone who lives in the home to report a fire from outside of the home.

·         Have a grown-up sound a smoke alarm and practice your escape plan with everyone living in your home.

·         Keep your escape plan on the refrigerator, or anywhere prominent for all to see, and remind grown-ups to have your family practice the plan twice a year or whenever anyone in your home celebrates a birthday.           

In conjunction with having an escape plan, working smoke alarms throughout the entire home will be necessary to alert everyone, especially when asleep, to escape quickly. 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 web site, which may be found 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 by visitors into newsletters, etc.

The above information was provided by Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Chief, Fire Prevention, City of Shelton.

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.