Tag Archives: Jason Pallotta

Carbon Monoxide: Staying safe by tuning your ear to the silent killer

by Jason Pallotta, Asst. Chief; Inlet Vol. Fire Dept.

Each year in America, more than 150 people die from accidental non-fire related carbon monoxide (co) poisoning associated with consumer products.

These products include faulty, improperly used or incorrectly vented fuel burning appliances such as furnaces, stoves, water heaters, and fireplaces.

Co,  often called “the silent killer”,  is a gas that you cannot see, taste, or smell.

It can be created when  fuels, such as kerosene, gasoline, coal, natural gas propane, methane, or wood do not burn properly.

Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, nausea, and drowsiness. Exposure to high levels of CO can be fatal.

Here are a few ways to avoid CO problems: Continue reading

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Tips to keep you and your family safe this holiday season

by Jason Pallotta, Asst. Chief, Inlet Fire Department

Decorating homes and businesses is a long-standing tradition around the holiday season—unfortunately, these same decorations may increase your chances for a fire.

Based on data from the National Fire Protection Association and the U.S. Fire Administration, an estimated 240 home fires involving Christmas trees and another 150 home fires involving holiday lights or decorations occur each year.

Together, these fires result in 21 deaths and $25.2 million in direct property damage.

Here are some tips to keep in mind this year to keep you safe.

Christmas Trees

Safety begins with picking the proper tree. Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches.

Needles should not break off if the tree has been freshly cut.

A good way to see if a tree is fresh is to bounce the tree on the ground. If a lot of needles fall off, the tree is not fresh and is a fire hazard.

When you find a fresh cut tree and bring it home you should cut two inches off the trunk before putting it in the stand. Once in the stand, fill it with hot water.

Do not place your tree close to a heat source such as a fire place, heat vent, or radiator. Check the water level in the stand daily and add hot water as needed.

Do not block an exit with your tree and do not leave it up for more than two weeks.

Holiday Lights Continue reading

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Tips for keeping yourself safe around downed power lines

by Jason Pallotta, Inlet Fire Dept., Assistant Chief

We have had several bad wind storms in the past month that brought down numerous trees and power lines.

Downed or low hanging power lines are very dangerous and can be fatal if you come in contact with one.

I would like to offer you the following tips to keep in mind if you happen to encounter a downed power line.

Always assume the line is “live” and electicity is flowing through it, even if it is not sparkingor smoking.

Stay far away from lines that are on the ground. Electricity can travel a long distance from the line, especially if the ground is wet.

Even if you know the difference between power lines, cable lines, and telephone lines, never touch any of them. Continue reading

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Keep your home safe this winter by observing heating tips

by Jason Pallotta, Inlet Fire Dept., Assistant Chief

I know most of you enjoyed a beautiful, warm summer and early fall, but winter is just around the corner and we are now firing up our heating sources for the cold months ahead.

So, I would like to share some statistics and tips about heating your home this winter.

In a study conducted between 2008 and 2010, an estimated 50,100 heating fires in residential buildings occurred in the United States in each of those years resulting in an annual average of 150 deaths, 575 injuries, and $326 million in property damage.

The study showed that cooking was the number one cause of residential building fires, with heating coming in second.

Residential building heating fires peaked in the early evening hours between 5 and 9 p.m. with the highest peak between 6 and 8 p.m.

That 4-hour period accounted for 30 percent of all residential building heating fires. Confined fires—those fires confined to chimneys, flues, or fuel burners—accounted for 87 percent of residential building heating fires. Thirty percent of the non-confined residential building heating fires occurred because the heat source was too close to combustibles.

Now that you are aware of the statistics of home heating fires, here are some tips to help you avoid being party to one. Continue reading

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Establish a home escape plan in event of fire or other emergency

by Jason Pallotta, Asst. Chief, Inlet Vol. Fire Dept.

The last couple of months I have been writing about how to prevent fires in and around your home. This month I would like to share some tips to help you escape safely if you have a fire in your home.

In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts, so you and your family must always be prepared. Having an escape plan in place will help you get out of your home quickly.

In less than 30 seconds, a small fire can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire.

It only takes minutes for a house to fill with thick black smoke and become engulfed in flames.

Prepare and practice your fire escape plan twice a year with everyone in your home, including children and people with disabilities.

It’s also a good idea to practice your plan with overnight quests.

Some tips to consider when preparing your escape plan include: Continue reading

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It’s summertime & the grilling is easy… if approached safely

by Jason Pallotta, Asst. Chief, Inlet Vol. Fire Dept.

 Now that we’re in the midst of summer, many of us are firing up the grill to cook up our favorite summer time meals. I would like to share some facts and safety tips to help make your next barbeque safe and enjoyable.

Facts and Figures:

Between 2005 and 2009, fire departments across the U. S. responded to an average of 8,200 home fires involving grills, barbeques, or hibachis per year, including an average of 3,400 structure fires and 4,800 outside fires.

These 8,200 fires caused an annual average of 15 civilian deaths,120 civilian injuries, and $75 million in direct property damage.

More than one quarter (29%) of the home fires invoving grills started on a courtyard, terrace, or patio, with 28% started on an exterior balcony or open porch, and 6% started in the kitchen.

In 2009, 17,700 patients were sent to the emergency room because of injuries related to grilling. Children under the age of five accounted for almost one quarter (22%) of the injuries.

Roughly one-third of gas grill injuries were burns incurred while lighting the grill. Gasoline or lighter fluid was a factor in roughly one-quarter of the charcoal or wood burning grill burns.

With these facts in mind, here are some safety tips to help prevent injuries and/or fires while grilling this summer. Continue reading

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Household tips to keep your family safe all year ’round

by Jason Pallotta, Asst. Chief, Inlet Vol. Fire Dept.

As we go into another season, I would like to pass along some household fire tips that will help keep you and your family safe.

Though you may regard some of these tips to be mostly common sense, overlooking just one could cause serious problems.

As always, if you have questions or concerns regarding these tips or if you have any other questions about fire safety, don’t hesitate to contact your local codes office or fire department.

I can be reached at the Inlet Fire Department at (315)-357- 6601. Please leave a message.

And remember, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors save lives!

Washer and Dryer Facts: In one year, the 17,700 reported structure fires involving washers or dryers resulted in 15 civilian deaths, 360 civilian injuries, and $194 million in property damage. Continue reading

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