Below are Public Service Announcements and Safety Tips for residents:
Hurricane Safety
Hurricanes can bring many different types of wind and water hazards, including storm surges, strong winds and flooding. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offer several tips to help residents better prepare for extreme weather:
Know Your Evacuation Zone
Learn if you live or work in a hurricane evacuation zone. If you live in an area that may flood and you may need assistance evacuating, plan with family, neighbors, and friends to determine who may be able to assist. Contact your local public safety officials to make them aware of your needs.
Make an Emergency Plan
Have an emergency plan for how your family would communicate, evacuate, and shelter in place that addresses the needs of all family members, including seniors, children, individuals with access and functional needs, and pets. If you receive medical treatment or home health care services, work with your medical provider to determine how to maintain care and service if you are unable to leave your home or have to evacuate.
Steps to making an emergency plan include:
- Discuss the questions below with your family, friends or household to start your emergency plan.
- How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
- What is my shelter plan?
- What is my evacuation route?
- What is my family/household communication plan?
- Consider specific needs in your household.
- Fill out a Family Emergency Plan. A sample plan can be found here.
- Practice your plan with your family/household.
Build an Emergency Kit
Build an emergency kit that will sustain your household for three to five days without power.
A basic emergency supply kit may include the following recommended items:
- Food and water
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit, including prescription medicine
- Disinfectants, moist towelettes, hand sanitizer, and cleaning supplies
- Whistle (to signal for help)
- Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
- Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
- Manual or battery-powered can opener (for food)
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
Preparing at home
- Check flashlights and portable radios to confirm they’re working. Fully charge your cell phone, laptop and any other devices before the storm.
- Check the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- If you own a car, make sure the gas tank is at least half full should you need to travel.
- Have an emergency food supply in case of a power outage. People should have supplies to sustain their families for at least 72 hours.
- Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings (remember to reset them back to normal once power is restored). During an outage, minimize the number of times you open the refrigerator or freezer door.
- Prepare your home by securing or bringing in outdoor objects (patio furniture, children’s toys, trash cans, etc.) that could be swept away or damaged during strong winds or flooding. Also, elevate items in your basement in case of flooding, check your sump pump, unplug sensitive electronic equipment, and park vehicles in areas that are unlikely to flood.
- Bring in boats from moorings or add extra lines to secure them. The Harbormaster will not be responding to boats off of mooring until the storm weakens and it is safe for the crews to respond.
- The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency recommends purchasing a generator to maintain electricity in an outage. NEVER run a generator indoors, in a garage, or with the exhaust facing the home or home air intakes.
- Pack a bag with important items in case you need to evacuate. Don’t forget to include needed medications and any valuable personal belongings.
Should a Weather Event Occur
- Don't go out during a hurricane or tropical storm, if possible.
- Call 9-1-1 to report emergencies, including downed power lines and gas leaks.
- Stay away from downed utility wires. Always assume a downed power line is live.
- Report power outages to your utility company. Do not call 9-1-1 to report an outage or to ask about power restoration.
- Be a good neighbor. Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone, those with medical conditions and those who may need additional assistance.
Stay Informed
Every family should have multiple methods for receiving emergency alerts. Learn more about different types of alerting and information tools including the Emergency Alert System, Wireless Emergency Alerts, NOAA Weather Radio, social and traditional news media, and your local notification systems.
Tornado Safety
Although strong tornadoes are rare in Massachusetts, the number of tornadoes experienced this year has already surpassed the average for the state, and all residents are urged to be prepared. With severe weather, including heavy rain and high winds, occurring regularly in Massachusetts this summer, the Stoneham Fire Department would like to offer safety tips from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to residents and community members.
Learn the Terminology
- A Tornado Watch is when a tornado may occur based on weather conditions such as heavy rain and high winds.
- A Tornado Warning is when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. When a tornado warning is issued, you should immediately take shelter.
The same terminology is used for other weather events, including Severe Thunderstorms, High Winds and Flooding.
Be Alert
- Tornadoes can develop rapidly, often with no visible or advanced warning.
- Remain informed by following local weather stations for updates. Residents can also sign up for emergency alerts through Stoneham CodeRed here. Follow instructions given by public safety officials.
- Residents should remain alert to changing weather conditions. Common signs of an approaching tornado include:
- A revolving, funnel-shaped cloud
- A dark, almost greenish sky
- A large dark, low-lying cloud
- Large hail
- A loud roar, similar to the sound of a freight train
Be Prepared
- Create and review an emergency plan for your household.
- Determine safe locations to seek shelter such as a basement, storm cellar or bathroom.
- When seeking shelter, avoid spaces with large windows and open areas.
- Create an emergency kit equipped with essential items including battery packs, non-perishable foods, and anything else your family or household may need, including copies of important documents or medications.
- After a tornado warning has been issued stay indoors and avoid outdoor activities until it is safe to do so.
If Caught in a Storm
- Be aware of potential flooding.
- If outside, lay flat in a nearby ditch or low-lying area and be sure to cover your head with your arms, a coat or a cushion, if possible.
- Watch out for flying debris.
- If possible, seek shelter in a nearby building.
- Never go under a bridge or overpass, remain in a flat location.
Once the Storm Passes
- Call 911 to report emergencies and injuries.
- Stay away from downed wires or broken glass.
- Check your property for damage.
- Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly.
- Stay out of damaged buildings until they are deemed safe by authorities.
- Continue to follow news and weather reports.
Ice & Cold Water Safety
Each winter, many residents are injured from exposure in cold-water incidents. Skaters and ice fishermen fall through the ice; boaters and canoeists overturn their crafts. According to the U.S.Coast Guard, each year there are over 7,000 drownings and 20,000 near-drownings in the United States. Over half of these incidents occur in cold water (water less than 70 degrees F.)
How thick is safe ice?
Ice on moving water in rivers, streams, and brooks are never safe. The thickness of ice on ponds and lakes depends upon water currents or springs, depth and natural objects such as tree stumps or rocks. Daily changes in temperatures cause ice to expand and contract, which affects its strength. Because of these factors, no one can declare the ice to be absolutely “safe”.
The only “safe” ice is at a skating arena!
What to do if someone falls through the ice?
- Act quickly and call 911 for help immediately. Make sure properly trained and equipped rescue personnel are alerted to respond.
- Do not gout out onto the ice. Many times would-be rescuers become victims themselves.
- Reach, Throw or Row. Extend a branch, pole, or ladder to the victim. Throw them a buoyant object such as a life ring or float tied to a rope. If a boat is nearby row out to the victim or push it toward them.
How Cold is cold water?
- Any water that is cooler than normal body temperature (98.6 degrees F.) is by definition “cold water”.
- Cold water drains away body heat 25 to 30 times faster than air!
- Cold water does not have to be icy; it just has to be colder than you to cause hypothermia.
What is hypothermia?
- Hypothermia is the excessive lowering of body temperature. A drop in core body temperature below 95 degrees fahrenheit causes shivering, confusion, loss of muscle strength, and if not treated and reversed hypothermia leads to unconsciousness and death.
- Safety experts estimate that half of all drowning victims die from the fatal effects of cold water, not the fatal effects from water-filled lungs!
Personal Safety Tips
- Always wear a personal flotation device (PFD) when boating, any time of year.
- Waterlogged clothing makes it difficult to keep your head above the surface of the water.
- Dress properly.
- Keep your head covered, 50% of body heat is lost through the head. Clothing that is made from man-made fibers does not protect the wearer for long when wet. Wool insulates better from the effects of hyperthermia when dry or wet.
- If you fall into cold water, get into HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Position).
- Bring your knees to your chest, hold your arms to your sides and clasp your hands, and cover your head if possible to protect your body from heat loss.
- DO NOT try to swim unless a boat, floating object or the shore is close by. Swimming causes “warm” blood to circulate to your arms and legs, where it cools off quickly and reduces survival time by as much as 35-50%!
Car Seat Safety
According to the NHTSA, vehicle crashes are among the leading causes of death for children, with an average of two children under 13 being killed and an estimated 374 injured while riding in vehicles every day in America. Of the 608 child passengers who died in traffic crashes in 2019, 38% were unrestrained, according to NHSTA. That figure was up from 33% in 2018.
All parents are encouraged to have their child’s car seat inspected by a professional. Stoneham Police Officer Laura Engel is certified to inspect car seat installations. To schedule an appointment with Engel, email: Lengel@stoneham-ma.gov.
To keep your child as safe as possible, Stoneham Police and Fire Departments recommends the following steps:
Choose the Right Car Seat for Your Child
- Children under the age of 2 should ride in a rear-facing car seat. A rear-facing car seat has a harness, and in a crash it cradles and moves with your child to reduce the stress to the child’s fragile neck and spinal cord.
- Once your child outgrows a rear-facing car seat, they can be moved to a forward-facing car seat. Forward-facing car seats have a harness and tether that limits your child’s forward movement during a crash. Tethers should always be used for forward-facing car seats.
- Once your child outgrows a forward-facing car seat, they can be moved to a booster seat. A booster seat positions the seat belt so that it is properly over the stronger parts of your child’s body. Keep your child in a booster seat until he or she is big enough to fit in a seat belt properly.
- For a seat belt to fit properly the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snug across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face. The proper placement of a seat belt restrains the child safely in a crash.
- Your child should not be moved to the next car seat level until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by the car seat’s manufacturer. In 2015, an estimated 25.8% of children ages 4 to 7 were prematurely moved to seat belts, when they should still have been riding in booster seats.
- Children under 13 should ALWAYS ride in the back seat.
To use an NHTSA online tool to help you choose the right seat for your child, click here.
Ensure Your Child is Buckled In Correctly
Choosing the correct car seat, but improperly buckling your child into it can lead to serious injury. These steps will help ensure your child is properly buckled in:
- Carefully read the owner’s manual for your car seat to ensure you are properly buckling your child according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Always ensure the seat’s chest clip is buckled and at armpit level. If the clip is unbuckled, too high, or too low, a child can slip out of the straps in a crash and suffer serious injury.
- Always ensure the seat’s straps are snug enough that you cannot pinch the straps between your fingers. If the straps are too loose, a child can slip out of the straps in a crash and suffer serious injury.
- Children who are riding in car seats should wear thin clothing, and keep coats or blankets over the seat’s harnesses. Placing jackets or blankets between your child and the straps can lead to your child slipping out of the straps in a crash.
All 50 states and the District of Columbia have laws requiring children to be secured in appropriate car seats or booster seats based on their age and size.
Additionally, Massachusetts law requires that all children ride in an approved child safety seat until they are at least 8 years old or 57-inches tall.
Research shared by the NHTSA has shown that, in passenger cars, properly installed car seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers.
For help finding a child car seat inspection station near you, click here.
It is also recommended that all car seats are registered with their manufacturers in case of a safety recall. This step will help ensure that you will be notified if a defect is discovered with your car seat so it can be repaired or replaced to keep your child safe.
To get NHSTA help with registering your child car seat, click here.
Home Heating and Chimney Safety
Chimney Safety
How To Prevent a Chimney Fire:
- Have your chimney cleaned annually by a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep. Dirty chimneys can cause chimney fires.
- Have your chimney inspected annually, even if you don’t use your chimney often. A chimney inspection can help prevent carbon monoxide and chimney fires, and can identify potential system issues to address before they become dangerous or costly.
- Ensure there are no prior damages to your chimney that may impact its ability to work safely.
- Be sure to properly dispose of ashes from chimneys and stoves.
- Be sure that the damper of the chimney is open before lighting a fire.
- Use a fireplace screen to prevent flying sparks and embers from falling out onto the floor.
- Install and maintain smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
Signs of a Chimney Damaged by a Chimney Fire:
- “Puffy” or “honey combed” creosote
- Warped metal of the damper, metal smoke chamber connector pipe or factory-built metal chimney
- Cracked or collapsed flue tiles, or tiles with large chunks missing
- Discolored and/or distorted rain cap
- Heat-damaged TV antenna attached to the chimney
- Creosote flakes and pieces found on the roof or ground
- Roofing material damaged from hot creosote
- Cracks in exterior masonry
- Evidence of smoke escaping through mortar joints of masonry or tile liners
Operating a chimney that has previously experienced a fire is a safety risk. If you suspect that your chimney has been impacted by fire, call a certified sweep to assess damages and make recommendations for repairs to ensure your chimney is safe.
Chimney fires can burn intensely and can spread to other parts of a house. Many chimney fires are slow-burning and may not get enough air or fuel to be visible. However, slow-burning fires can reach very high temperatures and can cause extensive damage to a chimney’s structure or other parts of the house.
If you hear loud cracking or popping noises, see dense smoke or notice an intense, hot smell coming from your chimney, call 911 immediately.
Heating Safety
In an effort to keep residents warm and safe, the Stoneham Fire Department wishes to share the following heat safety tips from NFPA:
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.
- If you have children living in your home, have a 3-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters to ensure their safety.
- Avoid using an oven to heat your home.
- Residents should have a licensed professional to install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
- Avoid using space heaters as your primary heating source in your home.
- Never leave portable heaters on when you leave a room or the house or go to bed.
- Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel-burning space heaters.
- If you smell gas in your gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave the home immediately and call your local fire department or gas company.
- All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
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