Author: Kayla Rochon

National Water Safety Month is recognized each May to highlight the importance of safe water and swimming practices. 

Water Safety Tips: 

• Learning to swim: everyone can learn to swim with lessons for children, adults, and people with disabilities.
• Watch the water: even if a lifeguard is present, don’t get distracted. Keep your eyes on the water and watch friends and family who are swimming. If you think someone is drowning, call 911!
• Use United States Coast Guard (USCG) approved life jackets or flotation devices. 
• Be careful swimming in oceans, lakes, rivers, and ponds: Natural bodies of water may be more dangerous than they look because of steep drop-offs, invisible currents, cold water temperatures, and poor visibility in murky water.

Pool Safety Tips:

• Always watch children in or near water; never leave them unattended
• Teach children to stay away from drains
• Make sure a lifeguard is on duty when swimming at public pools. 
• Keep your eyes on children and swim in pairs. 
• Ensure all pools and spas have compliant drain covers
• Install barriers, covers, and alarms
• Know how to perform CPR on children and adults

For more information on safe water practices, visit the American Red Cross website here.

April 12-16 is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, a time to recognize and honor the dispatchers who act as a liaison between the public and emergency services during times of need.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, public safety telecommunicators receive 240 million 911 calls each year. No matter the circumstances, each call requires dispatchers to remain composed as they coordinate with first responders to ensure the community’s safety.

For more information about National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/national-public-safety-telecommunicators-week.

As a result of the large snowstorm, residents can expect to see large snow hills created by plows, often great for playing and sledding. 

Wenham Police and Fire would like to remind residents and their children to be cautious when playing in the snow. Large snow hills can be dangerous, especially if they are located near the street. 

Children should never sled or play near the road or bodies of water. Plows are still out sanding streets and removing snow. 

Residents are also reminded that the state got over a foot of snow during the weekend’s storm, with more snow possibly in the forecast this weekend. We urge residents to be cautious in and around the snow, as mailboxes, railings, fire hydrants, or stonewalls may have been covered during the storm, which could be dangerous. 

Community members who live next to a fire hydrant should also take the time to shovel around the hydrant to make it easily accessible for firefighters. 

When playing outside, children should wear weather-appropriate clothing to protect them against the cold, and dress in bright-colored clothing so they are visible to traveling vehicles.

A winter storm warning has been issued across the state as heavy snow and cold temperatures are expected Saturday through Monday. 

Wenham Police and Fire would like to remind residents to use caution if they are traveling, and to leave enough room for plows. Residents are also reminded to never go near downed wires or power lines. 

Residents who lose power or are in need of assistance are asked to call the Wenham Police and Fire Departments’ non-emergency lines. Heating centers will be available for residents. 

Forecasts also call for wind chill temperatures below zero on Saturday and Sunday. Residents are advised to dress appropriately when going outdoors. 

The National Weather Service provides the following safety tips for dealing with extreme cold weather:

When going outside:

• Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing.
• Wear a hat.
• Try to stay dry and out of the wind.
• Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.
• Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves.

Protect your home’s pipes:

• Let hot and cold water trickle or drip at night from a faucet.
• Open cabinet doors to allow more heat to get to un-insulated pipes under a sink or near an outer wall.
• Make sure heat is left on and set no lower than 55 degrees.

• Make sure you and your family know how to shut off the water, in case pipes burst.
• NEVER try to thaw a pipe with an open flame or torch. Use a hair dryer instead.
• Always be careful of the potential for electric shock in and around standing water.

Home Preparation:

• Install a carbon monoxide detector.
• NEVER run generators indoors.
• NEVER use a gas oven to heat your home.
• If your heat goes out, keep warm indoors by closing off rooms you do not need, dressing in layers of lightweight clothing, and wearing a hat.

Vehicle Preparation:

• Check your battery
• Check your fluids (coolant, wiper fluid, oil, etc)
• Check your tires
• Have jumper cables
• Stock your car with blankets, clothing, etc.

The 2026 Open Burning Season begins on Thursday, Jan. 15, and ends on May 1. 

Open burning during this period is governed by the following regulations: Issuance of permit by local fire department, only permitted between 10 a. m. and 4 p.m. daily, must be 75 feet from any building or structure, and constant attendance and supervision. For permit obtainment, check with your local fire department. 

Residents are specifically allowed to burn the following:

• Brush, cane, driftwood, and forestry debris
• Agricultural materials, including fruit tree and bush prunings, raspberry stalks, and infected beehives
• Trees and brush from agricultural land clearing
• Fungus-infected elm wood, if no other acceptable means of disposal are available

Residents are prohibited from burning the following:

• Leaves of any origin
• Brush, cane, trees, or driftwood obtained from commercial or industrial land clearing
• Grass, hay, tree stumps, or tires
• Construction or demolition materials
• Household trash of any type

Those found to be in violation of open burning policies can face large fines and potential jail time. Local fire departments also reserve the right to deny any resident a permit due to hazardous weather conditions or other non-permitting circumstances. 

For further information, visit www.mass.gov/info-details/open-burning-safety

As holiday festivities begin, it is important to keep safety in mind when decorating so celebrations at home remain comfortable and fun.

The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) reports that from 2020 to 24, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 143 home fires each year involving Christmas trees. Nearly half were caused by electrical issues. Almost one in four started when a tree was placed too close to a heat source.

Fire prevention begins before the tree enters the home. After choosing a tree, cut two inches from the base of the trunk before placing it in the stand. Keep trees and wreaths at least three feet from any heat sources and water them daily.

Dried-out trees and wreaths are fire hazards and should not be left inside or near home structures. Contact local officials to find a community recycling program to dispose of live trees safely.

Families should also test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms before the holidays.

For more holiday safety tips from the NFPA:
https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/winter-holidays

Veterans Day is observed on Nov. 11 each year to honor and recognize veterans everywhere and thank them for their service, including members of our own department who served in the military.

Veterans Day is a chance to reflect on the country’s history and the sacrifices that have led to the freedoms we enjoy. It is an opportunity to reach out to and connect with the veterans who have given so much to protect their communities.

Their dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to our country and the protection of its citizens do not go unnoticed. We thank them for their service not only today, but every day. 

Daylight Saving Time ends on Nov. 2 this year, and the department would like to remind residents to check their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when they turn their clocks back for Daylight Saving Time. 

Clocks will be moved back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2.

Properly installed and maintained smoke and carbon monoxide alarms play a crucial role in emergency scenarios.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported that from 201 to 2022, 59% of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms (43%) or no working smoke alarms (16%).

The risk of dying in reported home structure fires is about 60% lower in homes with working smoke alarms than in homes with no alarms or none that worked, according to the NFPA.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each year, more than 400 people in the U.S. die from unintentional CO poisoning not linked to fires, more than 100,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 14,000 are hospitalized.

WENHAM – Chief Stephen B. Kavanagh reports that the Wenham Fire Department battled a large brush fire yesterday afternoon.  

On Wednesday, April 9, at approximately 3:28 p.m., Northshore Regional 911 received reports of a brush fire in the area of the Danvers-Wenham SwampWalk and alerted Wenham Fire.  

Upon arrival, crews located an actively burning brush fire that appeared to be growing rapidly due to winds.  

Firefighters used pumps and tanker trucks to attack the flames. Wenham Fire struck a third alarm to bring additional resources to the scene.  

After six hours, the fire was extinguished. Crews remained on-scene to monitor any hot spots. 

There were no reported injuries.

Mutual aid was provided by the Hamilton, Danvers, Boxford, Topsfield, Essex, Manchester-by-the-Sea and Middleton Fire Departments, and the Massachusetts Department of Forestry. 

Rehab 5 and Five Sons Pizza provided food and drinks to crews on-scene.  

Station coverage was provided by Ipswich Fire, Peabody Fire, Salem Fire and Beauport Ambulance.  

Wenham Fire returned to the scene this morning to continue to monitor any hot spots.

“I would like to thank our mutual aid partners for their diligent work in assisting and supporting us,” said Chief Kavanagh. “We are grateful to Rehab 5 and Five Sons Pizza for providing us with food and drinks during our hours-long response.”  

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Chief Stephen Kavanagh and the Wenham Fire Department would like to share fire safety tips for community members to be mindful of while decorating for the holidays.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), between 2017-2021, firefighters responded to an average of 150 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. Fire departments also responded to an estimated average of 793 home structure fires per year that began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees.

Christmas Tree Safety

According to the NFPA, nearly one in five Christmas tree fires were started by lamps or bulbs, and 8% by candles. Although the NFPA notes that Christmas tree fires are not common, they can grow very fast. The following tips are recommended to help prevent a fire.

• Choose a tree with fresh, green needles. The needles should not fall off when touched.
• Place the tree at least 3 feet from any heat source, including fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents and lights. Do not place the tree in an area where it may be blocking an exit.
• Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 2 inches from the base of the trunk. Always add water to the tree stand daily.
• Ensure your string lights are intended for indoor use and use lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory. Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.
• Never decorate a tree with lit candles.
• Always turn off the lights on your tree before going to bed or leaving home.
• Dispose of the tree after Christmas or when it is dry. As trees dry out, they become more flammable and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside against the home. Approximately 30% of Christmas tree fires happen in January.

General Holiday Decorating Tips

• Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
• Be careful about the placement of decorations, and be sure to keep them away from lit candles and other heat sources.
• Hang lights using clips, not nails, so that the cords do not get damaged.
• Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
• Do not place decorations in the way of windows and doors.
• Candle use:
  • Candle fires peak in December and January with 11% of candle fires in each of these months.
  • Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
  • Keep candles at least 1 foot from anything that can burn.
  • Use candle holders that are sturdy, and won’t tip over easily. Put candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface. Lit candles should not be placed in windows where a blind or curtain could catch fire.
  • If a candle must burn continuously, be sure it is enclosed in a glass container and placed in a sink, on a metal tray, or in a deep basin filled with water.
  • Candles should be out of the reach of children and pets. Consider using battery-operated candles around children.
  • Never use a candle if oxygen is used in the home.

Holiday Entertaining Tips

• Make sure your smoke alarms are working.
• Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.
• If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.
• Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried. The steam or splash from hot food or drink could cause serious burns.

For additional holiday fire safety tips, visit nfpa.org.

The Wenham Fire Department wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

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