Welcome to our News & Events section. Check this page often for our most up-to-date news and current events.
FIREFIGHTERS DEVELOP FREE PROGRAM TO
HELP OUT COMMUNITY
The Woodbridge Township Professional Firefighters Association (I.A.F.F. Local 290) in cooperation with the Board of Fire Commissioners of Districts 1,2, and 7 (Woodbridge, Sewaren, Port Reading, and Fords) have developed a program aimed at educating residents and providing them smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and also home fire extinguishers at no cost to the residents. This program which is currently raising funds through grants and donations will focus on educating the residents on the importance of fire safety and making sure that their detection devices are in place and operating properly. Local 290 President Keith Repace states the outline of how the program will work is that the firefighters, either as part of their daily duties or on their off time will visit residents who have scheduled an appointment through the fire prevention bureau and conduct a fire safety inspection of the home. This will consist of meeting residents at their homes, showing them common fire hazards, teaching families how to draw up and effectively practice a fire safety plan, showing them how to properly use a fire extinguisher, and also to inspect or replace and if necessary install new smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as well as installing/inspecting home fire extinguishers.
This program was scheduled to start in February but got an early start when a small fire broke out in the basement of the home of a Woodbridge resident. A quick thinking homeowner saved his families home by properly using a fire extinguisher to knock down the fire. Had the family member not been in the basement at the time of the fire the results could have been much worse due to the fact that there was no working smoke detector in the basement. Within a day the Woodbridge Fire Department was at the home installing new smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms and fire extinguishers. The homeowner also received a home safety inspection and was shown ways in which to prevent fires as well as how to safely escape in the event of a fire.
Every year in the United States, about 3,000 people lose their lives in residential fires. Most fire victims die from inhalation of smoke and toxic gases, not as a result of burns. Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home structure fires and home fire injuries, while smoking materials still remain the leading cause of home fire deaths. Over 70 % of the reported home structure fires and 84% of the fatal home fires occur in one or two family homes. More than half of these deaths and injuries occur in fires that happen at night while the victims are asleep. Roughly three-quarters of all fatalities occur in homes without working smoke alarms or where smoke alarms were not present at all. These facts are a scary reality especially when a working smoke alarm can provide an early warning to the presence of fire, thus allowing more time for loved ones to get out safely in the event of a fire.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is also known as “the silent killer”. This is because it is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas. It is the cause of up to 500 accidental deaths each year and a much larger number of sub-lethal poisonings. For this reason it is extremely important that you have a properly working CO detector. Many lives could be saved and much disability prevented if residents could learn to recognize and prevent the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. Preventive efforts such as checking furnace flues, chimneys, and vents for blockages and for proper installation could help to alleviate the hazard. Also make sure they are clear of snow and ice during the winter months. Using good common sense and not trying to heat the home using open flames, ovens and other appliances not intended for heating could reduce the number of carbon monoxide related incidents. It is also recommended that homeowners have their complete heating systems checked before every heating season.
Keeping these safety tips in mind will help to ensure that you and your family stay safe not only through the winter months but throughout the entire year. If you have any questions regarding fire safety or if you live in the participating fire districts and would like to schedule an appointment for your home fire inspection and smoke detector inspection contact the Woodbridge Fire Prevention Bureau at 732-602-6040.
THANKSGIVING FIRE SAFETY TIPS
The thanksgiving holiday will soon be here. Many of us will be going to visit relatives and friends or having them over for the holiday dinner. Either way, hours will be spent in the kitchen cooking wonderful meals. This also means the potential for having cooking accidents in the kitchen. A few ways to make sure you and your family stays safe through the holidays is to remember some safety measures while preparing your holiday meals. The first thing is to start with a clean stove and oven. Second is to try and use the rear burners and keeping pot handles turned so they do not hang over the stove edge or create a hazard. Also never leave cooking unattended, if you must leave the kitchen area have someone else keep watch on what is being cooked. Keep children and adults who are not involved in the food preparation out of the kitchen to lessen the possibility of a mishap. When cooking, do not wear clothing with loose sleeves or dangling jewelry. The clothing can catch on fire and the jewelry can catch on pot handles, causing spills and burns. Have a fire extinguisher in close range to the stove. At least a 2 ½ lb. ABC class dry chemical extinguisher is recommended. Know how to use your extinguisher!
One of the latest trends for cooking thanksgiving turkey is to use a deep fryer. Turkey fryer fires are one of the leading causes of holiday cooking fires. If you feel you must use a deep fryer to cook follow these safety tips to keep yourself and your property as safe as possible. Make sure most importantly you use your deep fryer OUTSIDE. Place the fryer on a level surface away from the home and away from fences, sheds, or other structures, that includes decks and porches. Leave at least two feet between the propane tank and the fryer. Keep children and pets away to avoid the potential for spilling or bumping into the fryer and make sure that it is in full view at all times. Check the oil temperature often, if you see the oil smoking turn the gas off immediately. Completely thaw and dry the turkey before frying. Adding a partially frozen or wet turkey to the oil may make oil splatter causing a fire or explosion hazard. When placing the turkey into the oil keep all bare skin covered and use caution by slowly raising and lowering the food to avoid spills and splatter. It is also very important to check the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that you use the proper amount of oil. Most fires occur while the oil is being heating before the turkey is added. If the fryer does catch fire make sure to call 9-1-1.
Remember that if you have friends and family over, keep your guests safe with a working smoke detector on every level of the house, in every bedroom, and in the halls adjacent to the bedrooms. Test your smoke detectors and replace batteries at least twice a year. Overnight guests should be instructed on the fire escape plan and designated meeting place for your home. Keep these fire safety tips in mind to ensure you have a safe and happy thanksgiving holiday.
FIRE PREVENTION OPEN HOUSE
The Woodbridge Fire Prevention Bureau would like to thanks everyone who was in attendance at our annual fire prevention open house on October 5th. Also we would like to extend a special thanks to the members of I.A.F.F. local 290, The Woodbridge Volunteer Fire Company and the Board of Fire Commissioners for all of their help in making this years event a successful one. At this years open house we had a magic show that taught children about fire safety performed by magician Al Belmont, live burn fire extinguisher training, and a demonstrations on vehicle extrication. Thank you once again to everyone who made this years open house a success.
CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS, CHANGE YOUR SMOKE DETECTOR BATTERIES
Daylight savings time will be at 2am on November 7th this year. This is a great time to remember that when we change our clocks we should change our smoke detector batteries. According to the NFPA (national fire protection association) in more than half of the residential fires where smoke detectors were present but did not activate even though the fires were large enough, batteries were missing or disconnected. Nuisance alarms were the leading cause of disconnected alarms. They also report that working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a reported fire in half. With these statistics
Also in addition to changing your smoke alarm batteries there are a few other things you can do to keep your family fire safe in the coming months. With the fall season here its now time to put away our summer gear and get ready for the winter. As people clean out their closets and attics and get out their winter clothes and decorations it is a great time to make sure that the areas of your home that have unwanted clutter are cleaned up as well. Make sure that your furnaces and hot water heaters do not have materials stored too close to them. It is recommended at least a 3’ clearance. Also, keep all electrical panels clear in case they need to be accessed in an emergency. When doing your outdoor cleanups and picking up your leaves and branches try and store them away from your home or other structures before they are put out to the curb for collection.
Halloween is coming up and is an especially popular holiday for children. Here are some fire safety tips to keep in mind when preparing for the holiday. Ensure a safe Halloween by making sure any costumes you purchase are flame retardant – the best options are fabric that is inherently flame retardant or one that is treated with a material that will not wash out.Always check the label to see if costumes or decorations are flame retardant and for other important safety instructions. Remember to teach your children if their clothes catch on fire to stop-drop-and roll. Always try to use battery operated lights or flashlights in jack-o-lanterns instead of candles.If you choose candles, keep the pumpkin away from anything that can burn. Lawns and shrubbery can be extremely dry and a fire can start in an instant. Keep decorations such as dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper away from heat sources. Make sure if you put up decorations that no one smokes in the area. Illuminate walkways with flashlights instead of candles or torch lights. Provide your child with a lightweight flashlight for trick or treating. If your children are going to Halloween parties at other peoples homes, have them look for ways out of the home and plan how they would get out in an emergency. Following these few tips can help keep you and your family fire safe during the months to come.
OUTDOOR FIRE PIT SAFETY
Even with the warm summer weather coming to an end we still want to enjoy our time in our outdoor spaces. Many of us use outdoor fire pits to take the chill off of the cold night air. We must remember to take proper safety precautions when we use our fire pits to ensure the safety of our family, friends, and our property. The first thing to keep in mind is to keep your fire small. Residential fire pits are not designed for bonfires! The larger the fire you have, the greater the chance to have a problem. There is also a township ordinance that regulates the size of an allowable fire to a maximum 3’ in diameter and 2’ in height. The fire must also be contained in a non combustible chiminea, outdoor fireplace or fire pit. When you are deciding where to set up your area for having a fire make sure that you stay 10’ away from any combustible structures, including decks, porches and balconies. Make sure you are not under an overhang, which also means the overhang from trees as well as structures. Choose an area for your fire or fire container where the ground is solid and stable. Be sure that you have a way to extinguish your fire nearby like a water hose, a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher, and that all safeguards on your fire pit/container are in place like wire mesh on the openings to prevent the passage of burning embers. Never leave your fire area unattended and never leave children or pets around the fire without proper supervision. Children may not understand the hazards present when around a fire.
To get a fire started, put a crumpled piece of paper or a store-bought fire starter in the pit, and cover it with small sticks — the smaller, the better. As the fire begins to burn, add larger and larger sticks until you're finally able to add a log or two. But whatever you do, don't try to start a fire with gasoline. It's way too dangerous. The type of wood that you burn is also very important. Always use untreated “seasoned” wood. Seasoned wood means - Wood, used for fuel that has been air dried so that it contains 15 to 20 percent moisture content (wet basis). Do not use yard waste, leaves, brush, vines, evergreen needles, branches smaller than three 3” in diameter, treated lumber, garbage, paper products or anything other than firewood as fuel for you fire. Treated lumber and other types of waste/garbage can give off harmful smoke. Also do some housekeeping around the area like picking up leaves, twigs and any other combustibles, you should also avoid windy weather conditions as it could create a situation where burning embers can be blown away and create an unwanted fire. If you are adjusting the wood in the fire do not wear loose fitting clothes as they can catch fire if they get to close. Try and always use a poker so you can stay a safe distance away. When you are finished with the fire for the evening make sure it is fully extinguished, do not just leave the fire to burn out on its own. The best way to make sure the fire is fully extinguished is to spread the remaining ashes out as much as possible and carefully cool the off with water. Once you are sure the fire is completely out then it is safe to leave the fire. If at any time your fire starts to get out of control be sure to dial 9-1-1. Following these tips will ensure that you keep safe and have fun when enjoying your outdoor fire. You can also view the full township ordinance on open burning from our website home page under “hot topics”.
OUTDOOR SUMMER FIRE SAFETY
With summertime and beautiful weather here we all like to enjoy our outdoor living space. With the enjoyment of these outdoor retreats also comes the responsibility of maintaining them. Some things to remember when we are taking care of our landscapes are that there are possible fire hazards associated with maintaining our outdoor spaces. Most of our equipment such as lawnmowers, weed whackers, and blowers etc. usually use a gasoline engine. Fueling this equipment can be potentially dangerous. When you are fueling such equipment keep in mind some general rules like, never storing gas indoors or where there is open flame or spark. Never smoke while filling the gas tank. Always use an approved container to store your gas in. Never remove the gas cap or fuel your equipment while it is running, wait for the engine to cool down before fueling. If you accidently spill any gas wipe it up immediately and move away from the area of the spill before you attempt to start the engine. Also when you are filling up your gas can never fill the can while it is inside a vehicle or in the bed of a truck, always place containers on the ground and away from your vehicle before filling. Following these few tips will help you use your maintenance equipment safely. Our outdoor spaces usually include areas with trees and shrubs that are landscaped with decorative stone or mulch. If your landscaping includes mulch in your planting beds remember that mulch can cause dangerous fire conditions if not properly cared for. Mulch that is piled up to deep, more than a couple of inches can build up extreme heat and begin to smolder. Decorative lighting placed to close to mulch can cause excessive heat as well. Other contributing factors include below average rainfall, extremely dry conditions, hot weather, and high winds. The most common cause of mulch fires however is human carelessness. Smokers often discard smoking materials, including matches, into the landscape areas as they enter/exit a building. If you smoke, try to use proper smoking receptacles located outside of most buildings. Fires that start in the mulch can quickly spread to the shrubs and then into the home or building. Some things you can do to help prevent mulch from catching fire are first to keep the mulch moist. This will help to prevent the mulch from building excessive heat. Providing clearance between mulch beds and combustible structures such as walls and decks will help to stop the spread of fire. Also be aware if you see or smell smoke near landscaping beds contact 9-1-1. Following these few tips can help keep your landscaping beautiful and keep you safe during the summer months.
SUMMERTIME BBQ GRILL SAFETY
Summer is here and it’s time to get out those BBQ grills and enjoy the outdoors. Here are some safety tips and reminders to keep you, your family and your home safe through this summer season. The first thing to remember when cooking with your grill is to make sure that it is clean and that there is no grease buildup. Enforce a “safety zone” of 3 feet around your grill keeping it clear of combustible materials and have a fire extinguisher nearby. Location of the grill is very important in keeping a safe cooking environment. You should always keep you grill at least 5 feet away from any combustible structure or wall. Remember that a wooden deck is combustible. Make sure that you are using the proper utensils when cooking that will keep you a safe distance from the flames. When lighting a propane or natural gas grill always make sure you keep the lid open, if the lid is closed gas could build up and possibly cause an explosion when the grill is ignited. Also make sure that you check all the hoses for cracks and leaks and check the burner tubes for obstructions. Never store propane tanks in the home or garage, they can leak and create a hazardous condition. For charcoal grills, use ONLY charcoal starting fluid and do not add starting fluid once the coals have ignited. For storage of the charcoal keep briquettes in a sealed container. It will keep your charcoal dry and fresh and it will avoid any accidents from occurring. If a fire in your grill should occur be prepared! For propane grill fires shut off all burners, if you can safely reach the tank valve, shut it off. If the fire involves the tank, leave it alone; evacuate the area and call 911. For charcoal grills make sure you keep the lid nearby and if a fire occurs place the lid on the grill. For fires on electric grills make sure you disconnect the power. Never try to extinguish a grill fire with water, it can cause a flare up and make the fire bigger. Always use an approved extinguisher.
If you live in one of the many multiple family dwellings in the township of Woodbridge keep in mind that cooking with an open flame on a combustible porch, balcony, deck, or within 5 feet of combustible construction is prohibited by the New Jersey edition of the international fire code. Electric grills are permitted in these occupancies. You are also permitted to use an open flame grilling device as long as you are at least 5 feet away from a combustible structure. Remember if there is any types of fire that threatens your safety or endangers property always call 911. Follow these tips to have a fun and safe grilling season.
HYDRANT LOCATIONS GO ON THE MAP
Home News Tribune Online 05/24/06
By REBECCA LERNERSTAFF WRITER
WOODBRIDGE — One by one, the location of each of the 3,000 fire hydrants in the municipality has been beamed to outer space, triangulated upon by floating satellites and sent back to Earth to be stored in a hand-held GPS device, an expensive item carefully operated by two firefighters.
The eight-week, $4,000 project is the beginning of the township's larger plan to enter the entirety of its infrastructure — every street, building and manhole cover — into a Geographic Information Systems map, Mayor Frank Pelzman said.
"This is going to help the town tremendously," he said, adding the endeavor will put vital information "at the fingertips" of emergency-management and homeland security personnel.
The fire-hydrant project will be ready for use in September or October, said Chris Andreasen, director of engineering for Middlesex Water Co.
It will aid firefighters by giving them fast access to key information, Fire Commissioner John Kenny said.
They'll quickly know the location of hydrants near a fire, the distance between two hydrants, which water main powers each hydrant, the strength of a hydrant's water pressure, and more, he said.
"It makes our job faster and easier," Fire Commissioner Patrick Kenny said.
Presently, firefighters have to manually consult paper street maps to find fires and hydrants before responding to emergencies, he said.
The hydrant project is a partnership between the township, Middlesex Water Co. and Woodbridge District 1 Fire Department. The water company is providing the GPS equipment and the fire department has provided two workers, Fire Inspectors Matt Lokos and Tom McNamara.
The water company plans to share data with the fire department and the township, said Dennis Doll, Middlesex Water Co. president.
The full township-wide GIS program is expected to be completed within two to three years, the mayor said. Two of the five phases of the project have already been completed, he said, and the remaining projects are up for bid. Money for the program comes from the township's Capital Improvement Fund, he said.
Doll said the water company plans to extend the GPS project to the other municipalities it serves, including Avenel, Carteret, Colonia, Edison, Fords, Hopelawn, Iselin, Keasbey, Menlo Park, Metuchen, Port Reading, Sewaren, South Amboy and South Plainfield.
"GIS is something that us utilities are focused on across the country," the water company president said. "It has critical value."
Home News Tribune Online 04/11/06
WOODBRIDGE — WOODBRIDGE AND SEWAREN residents can get the benefits of a trip to the firehouse with just a click of the mouse now that the Woodbridge Fire Department has launched a Web site.
The site, www.woodbridgefireprevention.org, offers downloadable applications for event permits, home-safety checklists, home fire-escape plans and fire-safety information for youngsters.
The site also offers forms for businesses to update emergency contact information, and evacuation forms residents can fill out to notify firefighters — who have access to laptop computers in fire trucks — if someone in the home has a medical condition and needs assistance getting out. The forms must be returned to the Woodbridge Fire Department once completed.
Arielle Levin Becker