BEWARE OF ICE! During the winter months, it can be tempting to venture out onto frozen waterways, but we urge caution and remind residents that no ice is 100% safe ice. You should always consider ice potentially dangerous, as it’s impossible to judge ice conditions by appearance or thickness alone. Many factors, including water depth, the size of the body of water, water chemistry, currents, snow cover, age of ice, and local weather conditions, will impact ice strength.
One significant risk factor associated with winter ice activities is falling through the ice, which can lead to fatal and non-fatal winter drownings.
If you see someone in danger, remember the phrase “Preach-Reach-Throw-Go.”
Preach: If possible, call 911 and let the victim know help is on the way. Reassure the victim and keep them calm.
Reach: If it is safe to reach the victim from shore, extend a sturdy object for the victim to grab.
Throw: If it is safe to do so, toss the end of a rope or a flotation device to the victim.
Go: If a situation becomes too dangerous, go find help. Untrained rescuers can often become victims.
Avoid walking or driving on ice-bound bodies of water — ice thickness can be deceiving. Stay safe!
The holiday season is upon us, with Thanksgiving later this week. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, with more than three times the daily average for such incidents. Christmas Day and Eve ranked second and third, nearly twice the daily average.
According to the NFPA, cooking causes over half (52%) of all reported house fires and nearly two out of every five (36%) home fire injuries. It is also a leading cause of home fire deaths (17%).
Today, we honor veterans everywhere and thank them for their service, including the members of our department who have admirably served. We are eternally grateful for their bravery, strength, and resilience. Their dedication to our country does not go unnoticed, and we wish to recognize their commitment to protecting the United States and its values.
Any Outdoor Fire Will Spread and Threaten People and Property
As drought conditions spread across Massachusetts and the wildfire risk continues to grow, Wenham Fire Chief Stephen Kavanagh and municipal leaders are prohibiting any outdoor fires at least until Friday, Nov. 15.
“Historically low rainfall, bright and breezy weather, and bone-dry fuel sources mean that any outdoor fire will quickly grow out of control,” said Chief Kavanagh. “Every firefighter battling a preventable wildfire is one who can’t respond to a house fire, car crash, or medical emergency. Help us help you. Please use caution and common sense and refrain from any outdoor activity that could spark a fire.”
Burning yard waste is already prohibited across Massachusetts through January 15 and year-round in some communities under 310 CMR 7.07, the Open Burning regulation. Today’s order additionally restricts the outdoor use of fire pits, chimineas, candles, cooking/heating equipment, and other ignition sources under Section 10.10.2 of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code. The Code grants fire officials the authority to prohibit any and all open flames and other ignition sources under certain hazardous conditions, including extreme drought.
Any requests for permits for outdoor fires, hot work such as cutting/grinding, and other activity will be decided in light of the ongoing fire risk.
All of Massachusetts, including Wenham, is facing an unprecedented fall wildfire season. Statewide, fires in October rose 1,200% above the historical average, and the 133 fires reported in the first week of November represent more than six times the average for the entire month. Many have damaged homes and other properties. According to Chief Kavanagh, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, and the Department of Conservation & Recreation’s Bureau of Forest Fire Control & Forestry, almost all of these fires start with human activity and can be prevented by limiting outdoor activity that involves open flames, sparks and embers, hot engines or gasoline from power equipment, and other ignition sources.
Months without meaningful rainfall, abundant dead leaves and vegetation, bright sunshine, and gusty winds make the current and expected weather conditions ripe for a wildfire in every city and town in Massachusetts. At the same time, static water sources like lakes and ponds are supplying less water and water pressure to extinguish these fires. Because about 45% of Massachusetts homes are in or near wooded areas, almost any significant wildfire will threaten residential areas.
“The faster we hear about a fire, the better chance we have of safely extinguishing it,” said Chief Kavanagh. “If you see smoke or flames, please call 9-1-1 right away so we can protect you, your neighbors, and our community.”
Daylight Saving Time (DST) ends Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2 a.m. and clocks will move back one hour.
Properly installed and maintained smoke alarms are vital in reducing deaths and injuries caused by fire. They give everyone in the home an early warning and time to escape.
Be prepared, turn your clocks back one hour, and check your smoke and CO alarms.
The night of Oct. 31 is quickly approaching. Children will be out trick-or-treating, and everyone should take precautions to keep Halloween a safe event. From wearing appropriate attire to checking your children’s candy to driving safely, everyone plays a role on this holiday.
Young children should always be accompanied by responsible adults and parents and guardians should set clear rules and expectations for older children who are going out alone. If you’re out driving on Halloween night, please take extra precautions and give yourself extra time to get wherever you’re going.
National First Responders Day honors all the men and women who respond to emergencies to ensure the public’s safety — paramedics, EMTs, firefighters, police officers, and 911 operators. These workers sacrifice their time and risk their personal safety to protect citizens, and National First Responders Day is an opportunity to recognize their bravery and heroism. On behalf of the entire department, we extend our appreciation and support to the first responders working to keep our community safe.
Fire Prevention Week, organized by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), aims to teach everyone how to stay safe in case of a fire. This year, it’s being held from Oct. 6-12 with the theme “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!™” The NFPA strives to educate everyone about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home. The three most important factors are to INSTALL, TEST, and REPLACE. Are your smoke detectors working?
This week is Child Passenger Safety Week, and we would like to raise awareness about properly sized and correctly installed car seats. A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association found that while most parents and caregivers believe they know how to properly install their car seats, about half (48%) have installed their child’s car seat incorrectly.
It is recommended that all car seats are registered with their manufacturers in case of a safety recall.
The department is offering free car seat safety checks to ensure seats are appropriate for the child’s age and size, and that the seat is properly installed. We will also be able to assist new parents with the initial installation of a car seat, and can answer questions about child safety seats. To request an appointment for car seat installation please fill out the form here.
State law requires that all children riding in passenger vehicles must be in a federally approved child passenger restraint that is properly fastened and secured according to the manufacturer’s instructions until they are eight years old or over 57 inches tall.
A new school year means kids will be out walking and biking to school, buses will be out on the roadways, and drivers should be more cautious when driving through our community.
Parents, please talk to your children before the new school year starts about getting safely to and from school, including the importance of looking up from their phones. Also, we ask drivers to please slow down and be attentive.
For more important tips about back-to-school safety for walkers, bike riders, bus riders, and drivers check out this information from the National Safety Council: https://tinyurl.com/yc79kvnf
Preach: If possible, call 911 and let the victim know help is on the way. Reassure the victim and keep them calm.
Reach: If it is safe to reach the victim from shore, extend a sturdy object for the victim to grab.
Throw: If it is safe to do so, toss the end of a rope or a flotation device to the victim.
Go: If a situation becomes too dangerous, go find help. Untrained rescuers can often become victims.
