Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 3/18/2016
STOW – State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey was joined recently by leaders of the Fire Chiefs’ Association of Massachusetts, the Fire Prevention Association of Massachusetts, the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, and many of the fire chiefs who have had a fatal fire in their community, to address the large number of fatal fires this winter where there were no working smoke alarms.
There have been 28 home fire deaths in Massachusetts homes since Dec. 1, 2015, 19 since Jan. 1 and for nearly 60 percent of these deaths, there were no working smoke alarms to be found in these homes.
“The fire service stands here today asking for the public’s help to prevent more fire deaths. This weekend, when you change your clocks, take the time to put new batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms as well,” said said State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey.
Wellesley Fire Chief Richard DeLorie, president of the Fire Chiefs’ Association of Massachusetts said, “Many of the fire deaths have been older adults. We encourage seniors to ask for help testing their smoke alarms, replacing the batteries, or installing new ones. Call your local fire department or senior center for help.”
Many fire departments have Senior SAFE programs funded by a grant from the state Department of Fire Services to help older adults be safe from fire. Older adults account for about one-third of all fire deaths in Massachusetts.
Lt. Stephen LaVoie, president of the Fire Prevention Association of Massachusetts, said “Through the Student Awareness of Fire Education or S.A.F.E. Program we have significantly cut the number of children who die in Massachusetts fires. The terrible fire in Orange reminds us that we must all protect families by making sure we have working smoke alarms on every level of the home and a practiced home escape plan.”
Ostroskey said, “Fire doesn’t make an appointment. It knocks suddenly. Protect your family, your children, and your parents by making sure they have working smoke alarms on every level of your home and that none are more than 10 years old.”
The Department of Fire Services has a smoke alarm campaign, “Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With”. The campaign is intended to remind people that smoke alarms don’t last forever and need to be replaced every ten years. Many people install smoke alarms when they move into a home and then forget about them.
“When replacing smoke alarms, consider purchasing ones with a sealed, 10-year lithium battery,” DeLorie said. “No more batteries chirping at 3 a.m.; just replace the entire unit once every 10 years.”