Stoneham Police and Fire Departments Offer Back to School Road Safety Tips

August 27, 2019 by Kelsey Bode

STONEHAM — As the school year begins, Police Chief James McIntyre and Fire Chief Matthew Grafton would like to offer road safety tips for motorists, children, parents and guardians.

“We want everyone to have a happy, safe start to the school year, and as students begin walking to school again and waiting at bus stops, motorists need to drive carefully and pay attention,” Police Chief McIntyre said. “Remember: never use an electronic device while driving and always watch for pedestrians and bicyclists.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has several tips for motorists as the school year begins:

Look for children walking or bicycling when backing out of a driveway or garage.
Be vigilant and watch for children who may be walking or bicycling to school in neighborhoods with school zones.
Watch out for children who may be crossing the street.
Be mindful of children who may be standing in a group or playing near a bus stop.
Slow down.
Remember: yellow flashing lights signify that a bus is slowing down to either pick up or drop off children. Prepare to stop your vehicle.
Remember: red flashing lights and extended stop arms signify that a bus has stopped to pick up or drop off children. Drivers traveling in both directions are required to stop their vehicles and wait until the lights stop flashing, the extended stop arm is withdrawn and the bus continues driving.

The Stoneham Police and Fire Departments also wish to remind drivers to stay off of all electronic devices while driving, as even a moment of distraction can cause a deadly accident. Drivers are also reminded to keep the windows of their vehicle clean and clear.

“With the added pedestrians and children on the roads as school begins, we’re urging residents to stay off their electronic devices while driving,” Fire Chief Grafton said. “Even a momentary distraction can result in tragedy, so please pay attention and drive with caution.”

The NHTSA also has several tips for children and parents at bus stops:

Arrive at the bus stop five minutes early, and wait approximately six feet away from the curb.
Do not allow children to run or play at a bus stop.
Wait until the bus stops completely, the door opens and the driver says it is safe to board the bus before getting on.
Use the handrails on the bus while boarding.
Do not walk behind a school bus.
If a child drops an item near a school bus, he or she should first tell the bus driver about the dropped item.
If a child needs to cross the street to board the bus, he or she should make eye contact with the driver, use the sidewalk until crossing, and walk approximately 10 feet in front of the bus.

Anyone with questions about road safety is encouraged to contact the Stoneham Police Department at 781-438-1215.

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Stoneham Fire Department Extinguishes Two-Alarm Residential Fire

July 31, 2019 by Jessica Sacco

STONEHAM — Chief Matthew Grafton reports that the Stoneham Fire Department extinguished a two-alarm fire at a home this afternoon.

Stoneham firefighters stretch a hose into a home on Pomeworth Street. (Courtesy Photo Stoneham Fire)

At approximately 1:45 p.m., Stoneham Fire received a 911 call reporting a basement fire at home on Pomeworth Street.

Ladder 1 and Engine 2 responded to the scene and found heavy smoke showing from a three-story wood frame home. Due to today’s extreme heat and size of the building, a second alarm was struck.

Crews from Winchester, Wakefield, Melrose, Reading and Woburn arrived to assist while the Saugus, Medford and Malden fire departments provided station coverage.

Firefighters first entered the basement and found no fire conditions. They then went to the first floor and encountered heavy smoke and a small fire in one of the bedrooms, which they quickly put out.

Residents of the home were outside prior to firefighters’ arrival and no one was injured.

After ventilating smoke from the entire building, crews cleared the scene just after 2:30 p.m.

“Given how hot it is today and the amount of smoke crews encountered, this fire had the potential to be extremely dangerous,” Chief Grafton said. “Thankfully the fire was small in nature and we were able to quickly get it under control and prevent extension. I want to thank all the responding companies who assisted us this afternoon.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Stoneham Fire Department, Stoneham Police Department and State Fire Marshal’s Office.

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Stoneham Fire Department Extinguishes 3-Alarm Fire at House, Barn

July 28, 2019 by Leah Comins

Stoneham Fire Department
Chief Matthew Grafton
25 Central Street
Stoneham, MA 02180-2044

For Immediate Release

Sunday, July 28 , 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Stoneham Fire Department Extinguishes 3-Alarm Fire at House, Barn

The Stoneham Fire Department battled a three-alarm structure fire on a property at 20 Emery Court Saturday night, July 27. (Photo courtesy Stoneham Fire Department)

Firefighters battled intense heat and large flames as they worked to put out a fire in a barn and home on Emery Court in Stoneham Saturday night, July 27. (Photo courtesy Stoneham Fire Department)

Both the home and barn were a total loss after the 3-alarm fire Saturday night, July 27. (Photo courtesy Stoneham Fire Department)

STONEHAM — Chief Matthew Grafton reports that the Stoneham Fire Department extinguished a 3-alarm fire in a barn and home late Saturday night, July 27.

At approximately 9:24 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to 20 Emery Court after receiving several 911 calls about a large fire on the property. Upon arrival, firefighters located a barn that had heavy fire and smoke showing.

The barn was fully engulfed and due to the heavy volume of flames and intense heat, the fire spread to the eves of the nearby house and into the attic of the home.

Due to the property’s isolated location on a narrow dirt road, the responding companies had limited access to fire hydrants.

A second alarm was requested on arrival and a third alarm was requested later to provide relief. Members of the Winchester, Wakefield, Woburn, Melrose, Burlington, Medford, Malden, Reading and Saugus fire departments responded to the scene to assist. The Medford, Malden and North Reading fire departments responded to provide station coverage. Chief Grafton would also like to thank the Stoneham Police Department, Stoneham Public Works and the Boston Sparks Association for their assistance at the scene.

As the fire continued to burn, the roof collapsed on the house. It took firefighters approximately four hours to fully extinguish the flames.

The family was not home at the time of the fire. Three horses and several vehicles were kept inside the barn. One horse died as a result of the fire. Three firefighters suffered minor injuries due to the extreme heat.

Both structures appear to be a total loss with damages estimated to be $700,000-$800,000. The family was displaced and was assisted by a family member.

The State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.

The last firefighters left the scene at approximately 3 a.m. Sunday.

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Stoneham Fire Department Shares Hot Weather Safety Tips Ahead of Predicted Heat Wave

July 18, 2019 by Kelsey Bode

The National Weather Service has issued a maximum heat index for Friday, July 19. (Courtesy Image National Weather Service)

The National Weather Service has issued a maximum heat index for Saturday, July 20. (Courtesy Image National Weather Service)

The National Weather Service has issued a maximum heat index for Sunday, July 21. (Courtesy Image National Weather Service)

STONEHAM — As this weekend’s projected heat wave approaches, Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Matthew Grafton would like to remind residents to take precautions to protect themselves from the heat and humidity.

“The sun is incredibly powerful and can cause burns, dehydration and illnesses like heat stroke,” Chief Grafton said. “We’re encouraging residents to protect themselves by staying hydrated, wearing sunscreen, and checking in on loved ones and neighbors who may be more vulnerable to the heat’s negative effects.”

The National Weather Service is predicting that temperatures will reach into the 90s throughout the weekend in Stoneham. Regionally, temperatures are forecast to be in the 90s to lower 100s, and Saturday is expected to be the hottest day.

An Excessive Heat Watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for most of Massachusetts on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Eversource has provided the following tips to help customers prepare for the coming heatwave:

Instead of leaving air conditioning off or at a low setting while at work or otherwise not home, leave air conditioners at a moderate temperature throughout the day. It uses more electricity to turn the appliance up significantly higher when you get home.
It’s recommended that coils and filters in air conditioners are cleaned every three months.
Do not block air vents with furniture, curtains or rugs.
Seal any gaps in walls and outlets, as well as in window and door frames.
Plan on using high energy appliances early or late in the day to conserve energy.

To prevent illness and injuries during the heat wave, the Stoneham Fire Department recommends the following safety tips from the American Red Cross, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and National Safety Council:

Heat Safety Tips:

Hot cars can be deadly. Never leave children or pets in your vehicle. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach over 100 degrees, even on a 70 degree day.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, like water. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages and beverages high in caffeine and sugar.
Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.
If someone doesn’t have air conditioning, they should seek relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day in places like libraries, theaters, malls, etc. Those without air conditioning who stay at home are encouraged to stay on the lowest floor, out of the sun, avoid using the stove and oven, and use fans.
Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.
Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day, which is typically around 3 p.m.
Postpone outdoor games and activities if the temperature is too hot.
Avoid extreme temperature changes.
Take frequent breaks if working outdoors.
Check on animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat. Make sure they have plenty of cool water.
Learn to recognize and treat heat illnesses.

Tips for Parents:

Limit playtime at peak sun exposure time and familiarize yourself with the signs of heat illnesses.
Avoid burns. If playground equipment is hot to the touch, it is too hot for your child’s bare skin.

To learn more about summer safety, visit the American Red Cross or National Safety Council websites.

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Stoneham Fire Department Shares Pool and Swimming Safety Tips

July 3, 2019 by Kelsey Bode

STONEHAM — Chief Matthew Grafton and the Stoneham Fire Department wish to share pool and swimming safety tips with residents this summer season.

“Now that the warm weather is here, swimming season is in full swing,” Chief Grafton said. “We want residents to safely enjoy swimming, so please remember to swim sober, never go alone and keep a close eye on children.”

According to the American Red Cross, 10 people die daily due to unintentional drowning and approximately 20 percent of those people are under the age of 14.

Chief Grafton would like to share the following swim safety tips from the American Red Cross:

Never swim alone.
Always make sure children are supervised by an adult while swimming.
Make sure anyone supervising swimming children is paying attention and is not distracted by an electronic devise, book, etc.
Swim in locations that are staffed by lifeguards.
Wear and re-apply sunscreen with a minimum protection factor of 15 SPF. The sun is strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Pool Safety:

Chief Grafton is also urging residents to take heed of several pool safety tips this summer.

Per Massachusetts regulation, pools should be surrounded by a 4-foot-high barrier that encloses the pool and has an access gate that self-closes, locks and opens outward from the swimming area (even if you don’t have children).
- Fasten a safety cover over the pool when it is not in use, and remove ladders to further prevent access into the pool. Pool alarms are required whenever a house door leads directly to a pool deck.
- Never leave children unattended while they are in or near a pool, and make sure they have an adult to accompany them into the water. Young or inexperienced swimmers should always wear a life jacket or inflatable arm flotation devices.
- Make sure children stay away from pool drains, pipes or any other openings to avoid getting trapped or hurt.
- Set safety instructions and share them with family, friends, neighbors and anyone else who is near or uses the pool. Advise children to stay away from pool deep ends, and to always walk, never run near the pool.
- Keep your pool or hot tub water clean and clear. Maintain proper chemical levels, circulation and filtration. Regularly test and adjust the chemical levels to minimize the risk of earaches, rashes or more serious diseases.
- Never use the pool if the chemical levels are not correct, or if the water is cloudy and you can’t see the bottom.
- Take a CPR course for adults and children to be prepared if an emergency situation occurs. Update skills regularly.
- Watch the local weather reports and do not swim if thunderstorms are in the forecast.
- Avoid using glass containers by the pool. They could break and leave glass around the pool or in the water.
- For a complete listing of Massachusetts building code regulations regarding swimming pools, click here.