Fire Prevention Bureau Shelton Fire Department – Office of the Fire Marshal City of Shelton, Connecticut
About the Bureau Tips for Home Tips for Work Fire Safety for Kids Juvenile Fire Setting Fire Station Tours Upcoming Events Poster Contest Essay/PSA Contest Press Releases In the News Product Recalls Fire Safety Links Affiliated Links Shelton Links Fire Station Links Co. 1 Echo Hose Co. 3 Huntington Co. 4 Pine Rock Co. 5 White Hills City of Shelton Website Quick Tip: Smoke Alarms should be replaced every 10 years! Fire Prevention Poster Contest Winners Now on Display at Shelton City Hall!		Seasonal Hazards: (Click links below for safety tips) Smoke Alarms Candles Clothes Dryers Product Recalls: Access all recall announcements with inter-agency web site – VIEW An estimated 500,000 pets are affected annually by home fires, and a new data analysis by the National Fire Protection Association shows that nearly 1,000 house fires each year are accidentally started by the homeowners’ pets. The Shelton Fire Department would like to spread awareness about how to prevent pets from starting home fires and keep pets safe in the event of an emergency. “Not many pet owners realize that their pet can actually be the cause of a devastating fire,” said AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson. “Simple preventative measures, such as flameless candles and removing stove knobs when leaving the house, can mean the difference between life and death for your four-legged friends.” Shelton experienced a home fire a few years ago that is believed to have been caused by a dog left home alone. Accidentally, the dog likely hit the stove knob and turned on the gas burner that was under the cake pan. Once ignited, fire spread to the kitchen cabinets. In addition to the home suffering significant fire damage, the dog and other pets in the home perished. Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Chief, Fire Prevention encourages every pet owner to consider the following to prevent their beloved pet from starting a fire, as well as how to keep their pets safe. : • Extinguish open flames - Pets are generally curious and will investigate cooking appliances, candles, or even a fire in your fireplace. Ensure your pet is not left unattended around an open flame and make sure to thoroughly extinguish any open flame before leaving your home. • Remove stove knobs - Be sure to remove stove knobs or protect them with covers before leaving the house – a stove or cook top is the number one piece of equipment involved in your pet starting a fire. • Invest in flameless candles – These candles contain a light bulb rather than an open flame, and take the danger out of your pet knocking over a candle. Cats are notorious for starting fires when their tails turn over lit candles. • Beware of water bowls on wooden decks – Do not leave a glass water bowl for your pet outside on a wooden deck. The sun’s rays when filtered through the glass and water can actually heat up and ignite the wooden deck beneath it. Choose stainless steel or ceramic bowls instead. • Pet proof the home - Take a walk around your home and look for areas where pets might start fires inadvertently, such as loose wires and other potential hazards. • Secure young pets - Especially with young puppies, keep them confined away from potential fire-starting hazards when you are away from home, such as in crates or behind baby gates in secure areas. • Consider using monitored smoke detection services – As an added layer of protection beyond battery-operated smoke alarms, smoke detectors connected to a monitoring center help save pets who can’t escape when left home alone. Always have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times. Know when and how to call for help. And remember to practice your home escape plan. Fire Safety Everyone - Every Day! DIAL 911 FOR EMERGENCIES!	Copy or download home self-inspection checklist! OPEN Be a Survivor!  Always have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home Test smoke alarms monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times. Know when and how to call for help (911). Plan and practice your home escape plan. "Smoke Survival/Escape Simulator" is used by the Fire Prevention Bureau to help teach children and adults the importance of crawling low to escape from a smoke filled home or building. Candle Fire Alert! Do not leave candles unattended! The City of Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau would like to remind everyone keep fire prevention in mind when using candles. Better yet, do not even light them! The city has experienced a rash of fires involving candles. Despite quick and effective response by the fire department, they have caused extensive damage to homes. See Tips for Home Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Chief - Fire Prevention, may be reached at: (203) 924-1555 ext. 339 Email: Ted Pisciotta Mailing Address: City of Shelton Office of the Fire Marshal Fire Prevention Bureau 54 Hill Street Shelton, CT 06484 The Fire Prevention Bureau has partnered with the United State Fire Administration (USFA) in the Prevent Fire. Save Lives. Campaign to reduce the rate of injury and death due to fire among Americans over the age of 65. "More than 1,200 over the age of 65 die as a result of fire annually. Residential fires injure on average 3,000 older adults each year. These are staggering numbers," says Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Chief - Fire Prevention. "Fire really is a matter of life or death! More Info The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has launched a campaign about the increased risk of fire death for young children, and to teach parents and caregivers how they can avoid the tragedy. More Info