The Daily Newarker — Press Wire

For Immediate Release

MAYOR BOOKER AND FIRE DIRECTOR GIORDANO PROVIDE

NEWARK RESIDENTS WITH FIRE SAFETY TIPS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Fire Officials warn Newark families about the dangers of kitchen fires while cooking holiday feast;

Keep Christmas trees away from heat sources and use safe lights with no broken or frayed cords

Newark, NJ – December 24, 2009 – Mayor Cory A. Booker and Fire Director David Giordano reminded Newark residents today that during this holiday season they should take fire safety precautions to ensure that family celebrations do not turn into tragedies.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, the nation’s fire departments responded to an average of 250 home structure fires that began with Christmas trees between 2003 and 2007. These fires caused an annual average of 14 civilian fire deaths, 26 civilian fire injuries, and $13.8 million in property damage.

“It is important for every resident to take personal responsibility when it comes to fire safety,” said Mayor Booker. “While the holiday season can be a blessed time of celebration for Newark families, there are safety tips our families should practice so they can protect their loved ones and homes from the dangers of fire. By taking these precautions, we can all enjoy a safe and happy holiday.”

“Keeping safe while cooking that holiday feast can be cut down to three essentials,” said Director Giordano. “Don’t leave cooking pans unattended, don’t let children into the kitchen while cooking, and make sure the kitchen is clean. In short: stand by your pan, no kids allowed, and keep it clean.”

The Fire Department also recommends that you follow these guidelines for kitchen safety:

·       Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food.                                                                     

·       If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.

·       If you are simmering, baking, boiling, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while the food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that the stove or oven is on.

·       Keep kids away from cooking areas by enforcing a “kids-free zone” of three feet around the stove.

·       If you have young children, use the stove’s back burners wherever possible, and turn pot handles inward to reduce the risk that pots with hot contents get knocked over.

·       Never hold a small child while cooking.

·       Keep anything that can catch fire – pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels or curtains – away from your stove top.

·       Clean up food and grease from burners and the stove top.

Director Giordano reminded parents that they should educate children to stay clear of open flames and other heat sources. Ensure that children know how to perform STOP, DROP, AND ROLL, should their clothes catch on fire. (If your clothes catch on fire: STOP immediately, DROP to the ground, and ROLL over and over to extinguish the flames.)

In addition, decorations for special events, most often involving candles, account for an annual average of 900 home fires, causing nearly $6 million in direct property damage. Lit candles should never be left unattended indoors and should be kept away from landings and doorsteps where costumes can brush against the flame or people can trip over the open flame. It is safer to light candles with long, fireplace, matches or a long safety light. Always extinguish candles when leaving the house or before going to sleep.

Since 2006, the Newark Fire Department has opened new and renovated fire stations, graduated new fire recruits and added new vehicles to its inventory. In July 2008, the Newark Fire Department graduated the 39th Recruit Class from the Fire Academy bringing the total number of firefighters in the Department to 639.   In October 2009, the Newark Fire Department unveiled its new 41-foot-long Hazmat truck which will provide firefighters with a wide array of state-of-the-art equipment, including a 9,000-pound winch, a 9,000-watt light tower, a Robotic Search Camera to investigate disasters areas difficult to access, and extrication tools for car crashes. The Newark Fire Department also has a number of specialized units, including an Arson Unit, a Hazardous Materials Unit, a Fireboat, a Confined Space Rescue Team, a Foam Tanker, and a Cascade Unit, which responds to emergency scenes to fill air bottles. In addition, the Department is one of only nine in the State of New Jersey whose Metro Strike Team has a Collapse Unit, to deal with collapsed buildings. Most of the Department’s specialized units are assigned for regional response, to assist neighboring communities that lack such equipment and training.

For more information about fire prevention and all other City of Newark programs and policies, contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.

-NEWARK-

Contact:        Newark Press Information Office: (973) 733-8004

E-mail: Pressoffice@ci.newark.nj.us

About the City of Newark, New Jersey

Newark, commonly referred to as Brick City, is the third oldest city in the United States and the largest in New Jersey, with a population of more than 280,000 people. Newark sits on one of the nation’s largest transportation super-structures including an international airport, major rail connections, major highway intersections and the busiest seaport on the east coast.

With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival.  In population, it is one of the fastest growing cities in the northeast. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The production of affordable housing has doubled, businesses are returning and crime is going down. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission:  to set a national standard for urban transformation.

For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us

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