The Newportville Fire Company would like to remind everyone of the following Holiday Safety Tips. Following these will ensure that your family has a Safe and Happy Holiday Season.

Christmas Tree Fire Safety

In 1998, Christmas trees were the first item ignited in 300 home fires, resulting in 11 injuries and $8 million in direct property damage.

The leading cause of Christmas tree fires and property damage was short circuit or ground fault (21%). In this category, electrical failure other than short circuit ranked second in number of fires, injuries and property damage with the exception of the "other known" category.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cords and plugs were the leading type of equipment involved in the ignition of Christmas trees.

Safety points to remember:

• Any string of lights with worn, frayed or broken cords or loose bulb connections should not be used.
• Always unplug Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to sleep.
• Never use lit candles to decorate a tree, and place them well away from tree branches.
• Try to keep live trees as moist as possible by giving them plenty of water daily. Do not purchase a tree that is dry or dropping needles.
• Choose a sturdy tree stand designed not to tip over.
• When purchasing an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled as fire-retardant.
• Make sure the tree is at least three feet (one meter) away from any heat source and try to position it near an outlet so that cords are not running long distances.
• Do not place the tree where it may block exits.
• Safely dispose of the tree when it begins dropping needles. Dried-out trees are highly flammable and should not be left in a house or garage, or placed against the house.

 

Holiday Fire Safety

The winter holidays are a time for celebration, and that means more cooking, home decorating, entertaining, and an increased risk of fire due to heating equipment.

• Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. When cooking for holiday visitors, remember to keep an eye on the range.
• Provide plenty of large, deep ashtrays for guests who smoke and check them frequently. Cigarette butts can smolder in the trash and cause a fire, so completely douse cigarette butts with water before discarding.
• After a party, always check on, between and under upholstery and cushions and inside trashcans for cigarette butts that may be smoldering.
• Keep matches and lighters up high, out of sight and reach of children (preferably in a locked cabinet). When smokers visit your home, ask that they keep smoking materials with them.

Candle Fire Safety

December is the peak month for candle fires, with nearly twice the average number of incidents.

44% of reported candle fires in the home started in the bedroom.

Safety points to remember:

• Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Keep candles away from items that can catch fire.
• Use candleholders that are sturdy, won't tip over easily, are made from a material that can't burn and are large enough to collect dripping wax.
• Don't place lit candles in windows, where blinds and curtains can close over them.
• Place candleholders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface and do not use candles in places where they could be knocked over by children or pets.
• Keep candles and all open flames away from flammable liquids.
• Keep candlewicks trimmed to one-quarter inch and extinguish taper and pillar candles when they get to within two inches of the holder or decorative material. Votives and containers should be extinguished before the last half-inch of wax starts to melt.
• Avoid candles with combustible items embedded in them.

Information from the National Fire Protection Agency and other sources.

6-22-2009: Car Fire, New Falls Rd and Newportville Rd

Crews from Newportville were alerted for a car fire at the intersection of New Falls Road and Newportville, shortly after 7pm. While en-route Capt-121 called the county reporting a car well involved first engine to go in service with a 1.75" line. He then went to get the truck out. E-12 went responding and arrived on location going in service with a line. E-82 arrived and their crew assisted E-12s crew. Crews went available in about an hour. (Photos By Ron Roberts)

3/3/09: Bedroom Fire at Levittown Trace

Local Box 12-9 was dispatched for an alarm system at 3000 Ford Road, Levittown Trace C building. Upon arrival C-12 was notified that there was a bedroom on fire on the 2nd Floor. Upon his investigation he did have an active fire and the assignment was upgraded. E-14 arrived first and stretched an 1.75" handline, followed by E-82 who established a water supply. Crews were able to make a quick knock and it was held to E-14 and E-82. E-44 stood by the scene. (Photos by Ron Roberts)

2/22/09: Dog Rescue in Croydon

R-12 was dispatched along with Station 11 to assist the Chief on 4th Avenue in Croydon. Chief 11 had a dog stuck in the suspension of a SUV. Crews worked for just under an hour to free the dog, using various tools and methods. The dog was happy to get out after the hour.

2/12/09: Investigation turns into 2 Garbage Trucks well off

In the early morning hour’s local box 12-16 was dispatched for an investigation in the area of Robs Towing on Rt-413. Police in the area found 2 Garbage Trucks on fire in the rear of Waste Management, on Old Rodgers Road. C-12 went on scene and directed E-82 to force the gate and go in service. E-82 used their Hurst Tool to cut the lock on the gate and went in service with two 1.75 handlines. E-12 arrived next and their crew assisted E-82s crew. At this time the 2 Garbage Trucks were fully involved and C-12 requested E-14 to assist with water supply. Crew were on scene for about 2 hours with extinguishment and extensive mop up.

2/05/09: Engine 12 Covers Station 30

Due to the large amount of equipment being moved around in the Lower End of Bucks County, for the funeral services of Officer Jones, E-12 was dispatched to cover Station 30 (Falls Township Fire Company) while they operated on a dwelling fire in Morrisville. While enroute to 30s, E-12 was dispatched for a School Fire, with the Yardley Makefield Fire Company, E-12 arrived second after L-0, and assisted in investigating the call.

2/04/09: Engine 12 Covers Station 21

Engine 12 Covered Station 21 (Langhorne-Middletown Fire Co) from 12pm to 6pm while their members were at the viewing for Officer Chris Jones. During the cover E-12 responded to one call, a Water Flow Alarm at a near by shopping center.

2/02/09: Working Fire with Station 14

Just before 11pm companies were alerted for a dwelling fire in the area of Beaverdam Rd and Lakeland Avenue. B-14 went on scene reporting a Garage well involved with an exposure problem. E-82 laid 800ft of 5" hose into the rear of the dwelling and put two lines in service, E-12 and E-821 arrived and their crews assisted with various tasks on the fireground.

1/30/2009: RIP OFFICER CHRIS JONES

The Newportville Fire Company would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Middletown Township Police Officer Chris Jones, who was killed in the line of duty on Thursday January 29, 2009.  Officer Jones was completing a routine traffic stop when a freak accident occurred severely injuring him. He passed away a few hours later. Officer Jones was a ten-year veteran of the Middletown Police Department, and leaves behind a wife and three children.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and co-workers during this tough time.