TRURO - Truro Police report that at approximately 6:23 p.m. Friday evening, officers were called to 20 Whitmanville Road for a possible unexploded device. The property owner stated while working on the foundation of the house, he found the device embedded in a piece of concrete. When Officers Scott Holway and Jeremiah Valli arrived they discovered the approximately 8 inch by 3 inch projectile lying on the ground near a tree.The officers contacted the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad to identify the device. Trooper Stephen Sicard, a Hazardous Device Technician, took an x-ray (photo) of the device and determined that is was in fact a live projectile. The Navy Explosive Device Detachment Team (EOD) from Newport, RI determined the device was of World War II vintage and possibly made in Germany. The Navy EOD team determined that the device was safe to transport. The device was to be picked up from State Police by the EOD Team for destruction at a later date.
Media release and photo furnished by Truro Police
State Fire Marshal offers Holiday safety tips
STOW - State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan says, “Keep your holidays bright! A few simple steps will keep your family and guests safe this holiday season.”
Cooking Leading Cause of Holiday Fires
Coan said, “Cooking is the leading cause of home fires throughout the year, and caused 58% of the residential structure fires in the 2010 holiday season. When cooking, remember to Stand by Your Pan to prevent cooking fires and to Put a Lid on It to safely put grease fires out.”
On December 15, 2010, at 9:14 a.m., the Lowell Fire Department was called to a cooking fire in a 14-unit apartment building that caused $60,000 in damages. Someone had turned on a stove and forgotten to turn it off. Heat from the stove ignited multiple items. Smoke detectors were present and alerted the occupants of the building, but the building was not equipped with sprinklers.
On December 24, 2010, at 12:37 p.m., the Chicopee Fire Department was called to a cooking fire in an eight-unit apartment building that caused $45,000 in damages. The fire began at an electric stove. Two civilians and one firefighter were injured at this fire. Smoke detectors were present and alerted the occupants of the building. Sprinklers were not present.
Cooking Safety Tips
• Stand by your pan. Don’t leave boiling, frying or broiling food unattended.
• Put a lid on a grease fire to smother it, and then turn off the heat.
• Never move a burning pan. You can be badly burned or spread the fire.
• Never throw water or use a fire extinguisher on a grease fire. Water will only spread the fire and the force of the extinguisher can splash flaming grease out of the pan.
• Wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when cooking. Loose fitting clothing can easily catch fire.
Christmas Tree Safety Tips
• Selecting a Tree: Buy a cut tree as fresh as possible. Tap the butt on the ground and grab a branch near the top and pull your hand along it slowly. Needles should not fall off. If you bend a needle and it breaks before bending in half, it’s too dry! If you use an artificial tree, select one with a flame retardant label.
• Caring for the Tree: Make a fresh cut an inch or two off the bottom before placing it in the stand. This will help with absorption. Water a live tree every day.
• Placing the Tree: Place your tree in a non-tip style with wide feet, using extra wires if needed to keep it steady. Keep doorways and exits clear. Place your tree and decorations away from heaters, fireplaces, candles, and other sources of heat.
• Decorating the Tree: Purchase electric holiday lights that are listed by an approved testing agency and follow the manufacturer’s directions. Consider switching to new LED lights that are cooler and use less electricity. Make sure the bulbs themselves are not touching the tree, curtains, wrapped gifts, and tree skirts. Never use lighted candles as decorations. Turn off the lights when leaving the house or going to bed for the night. If you use an artificial tree, do not use electric lights on metal trees.
• Disposing of the Tree: Remove your tree soon after the holidays and take advantage of your community’s pick-up day is available.
On December 23, 2010, at 10:02 a.m., the Brimfield Fire Department was called to a Christmas tree fire in a single-family home. An undetermined heat source ignited the tree in the living room. Detectors were present and alerted the building’s occupants, but the building was not sprinklered. Damages from this fire were estimated to be $200,000.
The U. S. Fire Administration website has a stunning video from the National Institute of Standards and Training (NIST) of how a dry Christmas tree can act like a blowtorch in your living room
and the National Fire Protection Association has side-by-side video showing a dry Christmas tree on fire and a well-watered Christmas tree on fire. The fire in a well–watered tree takes much longer to progress.
Candle Safety
“Since candles are so often used in our holiday rituals, we see a spike in candle fires at this time of year. Monday, December 12, 2011 will be Candle Safety Awareness Day,” Coan said. “I urge the community to practice safe candle use to keep your families safe,” he added.
“December 24 is the day on which the most candle fires occur. Fires start easily and spread quickly when candles burn too close to holiday decorations or are left burning unattended. Please burn candles inside of a one-foot Circle of Safety, free of anything that can burn. Also remember to keep candles out of reach of children and pets,” Marshal Coan warned.
On December 18, 2010, at 10:08 p.m., the Harwich Fire Department was called to a candle fire in a single-family home. A candle in the bathroom ignited some fake decorative flowers. One person was injured at this fire. Detectors were present and alerted the occupants to the fire, but the home was not sprinklered. Damages from this fire were estimated to be $6,000.
Candle Safety Tips
• Burn candles within a one-foot Circle of Safety, free of anything that can burn.
• Stay in the same room with burning candles; never leave candles unattended.
• Burn candles on a non-combustible saucer or candleholder.
• Be sure to extinguish candles before falling asleep, going out, or leaving the room.
• Teach everyone in the family the rules of safe candle use.
• Keep candles out of reach of children and pets.
Outdoor Decorations
• Be sure to use only lights rated for outdoor use.
• Securely anchor outdoor lights and decorations against the wind and storms with insulated holders or hooks.
• Do not drive nails, staples or tacks through wiring insulation; this can cause a fire.
• All outdoor electrical decorations should be plugged into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). You can buy portable units for outdoor use, or you can have them permanently installed by an electrician.
• Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and extend their life. Consider replacing old outdoor lights with newer LED lights that are ‘greener’ and cooler.”
Winter Holiday Safety
There were 3,024 fires reported to the Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System (MFIRS) during the 2010 holiday season: 2,228 structure fires, 285 motor vehicle fires and 511 other fires. These fires caused four civilian deaths, 61 civilian injuries, 50 fire service injuries, and an estimated $22.3 million in losses.
Structure fires accounted for 74% of the holiday season fires, 87% of which occurred in people’s homes. “Our homes are supposed to be where we feel the safest, so follow our winter holiday safety tips to keep your homes safe and sound,” said Coan.
For more information on fire safety, contact your local fire department or the Office of the State Fire Marshal at 1-877-9 NO FIRE or on-line at www.state.ma.us/dfs and look for Fire Safety Topics.
Media release furnished by Mass Department of Fire Services
Click here for more Cape Wide News
Please support these great companies that sponsor Cape Wide News: Carl F. Riedell - Central Construction - Beltone - Agway - Botello Lumber - Core Computers - Century 21 Seaside Village - Foran Realty - Silver Cloud Towing 508.394.4141 - Associated Alarms - Battles Buick GMC
E-Mail
Print