Page 8 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 2024 Fire Service Leaders Urge Summer Fire Safety Grilling, Gasoline, and Smoking Among Outdoor Fire Hazards S TOW — Now that summerlike weather is fi nally here, State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine and Foxborough Fire Chief Michael Kelleher, president of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts, are reminding residents to practice fi re safety this season. “Memorial Day is the unoffi cial start of summer, and we want to remind everyone to play it safe as they enjoy the warm weather,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “Don’t let a fi re or serious burn ruin your summer.” “As we spend more time outside with friends and family, firefighters start to see more outdoor fi res,” said Chief Kelleher. “Sadly, many of these fi res cause serious injuries and property damage — but almost all of them can be prevented by using extra caution and care.” Grilling Safety More than 75% of grilling fires in Massachusetts occur between May and September. 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 floor 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. 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Former City Council candidate Anthony Parziale, who became a community activist after opposing a homeless shelter in his Arcadia Street neighborhood, said he doesn’t like the idea of seniors having to work for minimum wage for money they never see that goes directly to taxes. Parziale said seniors should simply receive a discount. “The mayor has to look at it to see if we can aff ord it,” said Ward 2 Councillor Ira Novoselsky. “Someone has to pay for it.” But Councillor-at-Large Anthony Zambuto suggested the money wouldn’t be an issue. “If we can’t aff ord this, we’re in bigger trouble than I think we are,” said Zambuto. Councillor-at-Large Marc Silvestri said he supports the abatement program but added that over the past six or eight years fewer than 100 residents were recipients. The program off ers 50 abatements for property taxes and 50 for water and sewer bills. Councillor-at-Large Robert Haas suggested the lack of recipients could be due to the income level requirements, which, he added, needs to be reexamined. Councillors voted to increase the lottery for the Work-Off abatement from a minimum of 50 to a minimum of 70. City CFO Richard Viscay said funding the program is doable and just requires making sure an overlay account used for abatements is adequately funded. Viscay said he isn’t sure if the changes would draw more residents into the program. “It certainly can’t hurt to off er it,” said Viscay. “Taxes are going up and people need some relief.” Councillors also had questions about whether a family member or volunteer can work off the hours to earn a tax break for a senior, which some felt made the program too confusing. But Councillor Haas said he worked with participants in the tax work off program who were at the Senior Center. Haas said it was a great group, eager to work and willing to help out in any way. Ward 6 Councillor Chris Giannino said the same about seniors who were assigned to work at the police station. Questions about income and stand-in volunteers will continue to be hammered out by the council’s Legislative Aff airs Subcommittee, but for this year, and the budget cycle, the abatements are available for eligible seniors. Applications for the program are available at the Mayor’s Offi ce and the Assessor’s Offi ce. use charcoal starter fl uid. 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. 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 there have been many fires this spring from improperly discarded smoking materials on porches and in backyards. 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 fires are caused by human activity. In the warm, sunny, dry weather expected this weekend these fi res will spread to dangerous sizes quickly and require numerous fi refi ghting resources to contain and extinguish. And because more than 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, flammable 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 campfi re 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. “Brush and wildland fi res can quickly grow to sizes that require a large response by local and regional fire departments,” said Chief Kelleher. “That level of response can strain our resources and make it harder to respond to other emergencies. If you see a fi re, please call 9-1-1 to report it as soon as possible.”
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