THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2025 Page 23 State Fire Marshal Highlights Summer Fire Safety Grilling, Gasoline, and Smoking Among Outdoor Fire Hazards S TOW—As Massachusetts approaches Memorial Day weekend and the unoffi cial start of summer, State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine is asking residents to practice outdoor fi re safety in the weeks and months ahead. “As the weather gets warmer and we start spending more time outside, outdoor fi res also start to increase,” State Fire Marshal Davine said. “Unfortunately, many of these fi res cause serious injuries and property damage — but almost all of them can be prevented.” Grilling Safety About two-thirds of grilling fi res in Massachusetts occur between May and August. About 75% take place on residential properties — most often one- and two-family homes. Memorial Day is a leading day for cookouts with family and friends, so stay safe when using your gas or charcoal grill: • Always grill outdoors, never inside. • A burning grill should always be attended by an adult. • Never use a gas or charcoal grill on a porch, balcony, or fi re escape. • Place grills at least 10 feet away from buildings and deck railings. Make sure grills are not under eaves or overhanging branches. • Gas grills may be used on fi rst fl oor decks or patios only if there is an outdoor stairway to the ground, or it is at ground level. • Always keep matches, lighters, and lighter fl uid away from children. • Create a three-foot “circle of safety” around grills. Keep children and pets at least three feet away on all sides. When using a gas grill, open the lid before you light it to avoid the ignition of built-up propane. If you smell gas while cooking, turn off the grill, move away, and call 9-1-1 from a safe location. Do not move the grill. Always turn off the burners and close the propane cylinder when you’re done cooking. If using a charcoal grill, only use charcoal starter fluid. Do not use gasoline or kerosene to start a fi re in a grill, and never add any fl ammable liquid to burning briquettes or hot coals. Allow the coals to burn out completely and then cool for 48 hours before disposal. If you must dispose of ashes before they are completely cooled, thoroughly soak them in water before putting them in a metal container. Fire Pits and Chimineas Outdoor burning is prohibited in Massachusetts from May 1 to January 15. While regulations allow exceptions for fi res that are used for cooking, local fi re chiefs and municipalities may prohibit or impose additional restrictions on these fi res, including the use of fire pits and chimineas. Even where allowed, an adult must always be present with the tools necessary to extinguish such a fi re immediately because of the inherent risk. Brush and structure fi res in Agawam, Florida, Goshen, and Haverhill in recent weeks all started with fi re pits that were unattended or improperly used. Any burning that creates a nuisance, a condition of air pollution, or hazard to others is always prohibited. Gasoline Safety Serious gasoline-related burns peak in the summer months, with about 40% reported from June through August. Always be cautious when using gasoline, especially in the area of any heat source: • Gasoline should only be used as fuel for an engine, not as a solvent. • Never use gasoline to start a fi re or add it to any fi re. • Store gasoline only outside the home, such as in a locked shed, and always in an approved container. Never store gasoline in the home or basement. • Refuel lawnmowers, leaf blowers, mopeds, and other devices only when the engine is cool. Never refi ll while it is hot. • Keep gasoline away from all heat sources, such as smoking materials, campfi res, and grills. Smoking Safety Smoking materials have been the leading cause of fi re deaths in Massachusetts for decades, and carelessly discarded cigarette butts are a common factor in structure fi res that start on porches and nearby dry vegetation. Mulch is especially prone to combustion caused by careless smoking. Smoking fi res are particularly dangerous because they may smolder undetected and then erupt into fl ames that grow rapidly. A fi re that starts on a porch, balcony, or exterior stairway can extend to the home before smoke alarms inside detect them and alert you to the danger. “If you still smoke, or if you have guests who do, please do it responsibly,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “Always use a deep, sturdy ashtray or a can with sand or water. Don’t toss smoking materials into the mulch, leaves, grass, or planters, and don’t stub them out on the porch railing or stairs. Remember to put it out, all the way, every time.” Brush and Wildland Fire Safety Almost all outdoor fi res are caused by human behavior. In the warm, dry weather expected Sunday and Monday, these fi res may spread to dangerous sizes quickly and require numerous fi refi ghting resources to contain and extinguish. And because about 50% of Massachusetts homes are in Wildland-Urban Interface or Intermix zones, outdoor fi res can easily threaten people and property. • Practice fi re safety with grills, fl ammable liquids, smoking materials, and power equipment. • Before setting up a campfi re, be sure it is permitted by checking with the local fi re department. • Clear away dry leaves and sticks and overhanging low branches and shrubs. • Keep campfi res small so they are easier to control and attend to them at all times. • Always have a hose, bucket of water, or shovel and dirt or sand nearby to put out the fi re. • Make sure your campfire is out cold before leaving. • If using an ATV, dirt bike, or other off -road vehicle, be sure the spark arrestor is properly installed, as required by Massachusetts law. • Don’t park a vehicle or power equipment such as a lawnmower on or near dry vegetation. A hot engine or exhaust can ignite dry grass, leaves, or debris. “We saw last fall just how quickly brush and wildland fires can grow to sizes that require a large response by local and regional fire departments,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “These fires strain our resources and make it harder to respond to other emergencies. If you see an outdoor fire, please call 9-11 to report it as soon as possible.” V RevereTV Spotlight ictoria Fabbo continues to showcase healthy seasonal recipes every month. In the exciting new episode of “Fabulous Foods,” Victoria Fabbo is joined by special guest Chef Mai Nguyen, a celebrated pastry chef in the Boston area known for her delicious desserts. Victoria and Chef Mai whip up the perfect springtime macaroons with a blueberry buttercream fi lling. Watch on the Community Channel or on YouTube to follow along as they prepare this delightful treat together, and make it at home yourself! In Episode 2 of “All About Nonprofi ts,” Revere Chamber of Commerce Nonprofi t Liaison Judie VanKooiman, who is also the Founder of Those Who Can, For Those In Need, is joined by Ruth’s Way for Women Founder/Executive Director Nicole O’Brien. Nicole shares what inspired her to start this nonprofi t and discusses the programs and support they off er. This is an inspiring conversation focused on empowering and supporting women on their journey to recovery and independence. “All About Nonprofi ts” is currently a monthly program playing on the Community Channel. Since it is produced in partnership with RTV, it is also posted to view on RevereTV’s YouTube page. Revere Youth Baseball and Softball starts off the season each year with a parade from DiSalvo Park by the Whelan School to Griswold Park by St. Mary’s Parish. This parade was held last weekend, and RevereTV captured some sights and sounds of the event. Hundreds of children and their families attended both the parade and the celebration afterwards. Watch it now on the Community Channel and YouTube. On May 9, 2025, Revere High School hosted its Annual Rock Ensemble. This year there were three bands performing at this extralong concert. The concert is now playing on the Community Channel almost nightly and includes performances by the Rumney Marsh Percussion Ensemble, the Revere High School Pop Ensemble and the Revere High School Rock Ensemble. This year the Rock Ensemble chose to focus on the music library of Santana. You can also enjoy this concert at your convenience on YouTube. RevereTV was present at the City of Revere’s Memorial Day Ceremony at McMackin Veterans Memorial Park on Broadway. The keynote speaker this year was Maj. Deborah A. Bowker. Many local veterans and city offi - cials were there for the ceremony, and it was open to the public. Watch replays of RTV’s live event coverage on the Community Channel and YouTube. The Community Channel is 8 and 1072 on Comcast and 3 and 614 on RCN. As always, tune in to RTV GOV for all of the city’s government meetings. RTV GOV is channel 9 on Comcast and channels 13 and 613 on RCN. The current replay rotation includes the Revere City Council, Commission on Disabilities, Aff ordable Housing Board of Trustees, Traffi c Commission, Planning Board, License Commission and Revere Board of Health. All meetings stream live on RTV GOV and YouTube.
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