PLAY IT COOKING SAFE DURING THE SUPERBOWL. HAVE FUN, NOT FIRE.

PLAY IT COOKING SAFE DURING THE SUPERBOWL.  HAVE FUN, NOT FIRE.

This Sunday will be a day filled with lots of cheering, groans and a plenty of excitement all around. It's also a day that will be filled with food and tons of it! So, if you're like most folks across the country right now, even if you're not cheering for the Pats or the Seahawks, Superbowl XLIX is still a day for parties, the guest list and the ever-so-important menu for game day. 

According to Rita Hodges, County Extension Agent - Family and Consumer Sciences in Texas, Superbowl Sunday is the second largest food consumption day of the year in the U.S. behind Thanksgiving! Wow! So what does everyone do on the second largest food consumption day of the year? Cook and bake, I say! From hearty stews and burgers to spicy wings, decadent desserts and fancy cocktails, Superbowl Sunday brings out the foodie in everyone. But as Ms. Hodges reminds us all, with more food prep comes more opportunities for a food safety "fumble" at home.

NFPA reminds everyone to keep these basic cooking fire safety tips in mind when preparing for the big game:

·         Keep an eye on what you fry

·         Be alert when cooking

·         Keep things that can catch fire away from cooking area

These and other tips can be found on NFPA's cooking fire safety central webpage. Also check out NFPA and USFA's "Put a Freeze on Winter Fires" campaign webpage where you can find these tips and more information about fire safety at home. 

Remember, take just a few minutes to practice fire safety, especially in the kitchen, and it will go a long way to making your home a safer place. Enjoy the game everyone!

SPRINKLERS KEPT FIRE IN CHECK AT WASHINGTON STATE APARTMENT COMPLEX

SPRINKLERS KEPT FIRE IN CHECK AT WASHINGTON STATE APARTMENT COMPLEX

Fire officials credit a  sprinkler system with putting out a fire at an apartment complex in Renton, Washington this week. According to the Renton Reporter, no one was injured. Three families were displaced. Officials say the fire was started by flower-shaped decorative lights resting on the carpeted floor in the dining area. Fire crews didn't need to deploy equipment, but helped clean up the water damage.

Renton Deputy Fire Chief Chad Michael stressed that the sprinkler system kept the fire in check. "The sprinkler system did its job and kept the impact to a pretty minimal amount," he is quoted as saying. The chief's words underscore what NFPA's educational materials tell us. The community toolkit on home fire sprinklers and home fire sprinkler safety information, including the Home Fire Sprinklers tips sheet, reinforce the point that home fire sprinklers protect lives by keeping fires small.

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THREE FAMILIES DISPLACED IN RENTON APARTMENT FIRE; SPRINKLERS KEEP IT FROM SPREADING

Jan 28, 2015 at 11:33AM

Renton, Washington

 

A sprinkler system extinguished a fire at a Renton apartment complex Tuesday night before it could spread, according to Renton Fire and Emergency Services Department.

The call came in at 8:06 p.m. as an activated fire alarm at the Benson Downs Apartments, 11000 S.E. Petrovitsky Road.

No one was injured, but three families were displaced from their water-damaged apartments, according to Renton Deputy Fire Chief Chad Michael. The American Red Cross responded to assist them.

Four units suffered water damage, with the unit where the fire started the most affected by water and some fire, according to Michael.

The fire was started by flower-shaped decorative lights resting on the carpeted floor in the dining area, he said.

Fire crews didn't need to deploy their firefighting equipment but helped clean up the water damage.

Two engines, one ladder truck and two aid units responded to the fire.

Michael stressed that the sprinkler system kept the fire in check. "The sprinkler did its job and kept the impact to a pretty minimal amount," he said. A damage amount wasn't immediately available.

He noted that recent fires at apartment complexes in Renton grew in size because they didn't have sprinklers.

Toyota Recalls 52,000 Avalon Sedans For Subwoofer Fire Risk

 The 2011 Toyota Avalon is introduced at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show.

Toyota Recalls 52,000 Avalon Sedans For Subwoofer Fire Risk

January 30, 2015

 

TORRANCE, Calif. — Toyota is recalling 52,000 Avalon sedans because of a wiring problem that could cause a fire. The recall affects Avalons from the 2011 and 2012 model years. 

Toyota says cargo in the trunk could move the wires connected to the audio system subwoofer. If the wires contact the metal frame of the subwoofer, they could short circuit and cause the subwoofer to overheat. That increases the risk of a fire. 

Toyota says no injuries or fires have been linked to the problem, but it has received two reports of overheating. Toyota will notify owners, who can get their vehicles repaired for free at dealerships. 

2 DEAD IN APARTMENT FIRE AT EAST BROOKLYN MILL SITE IN CONNECTICUT. ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, AT LEAST 14 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DISPLACED.

2 DEAD IN APARTMENT FIRE AT EAST BROOKLYN MILL SITE IN CONNECTICUT. ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, AT LEAST 14 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DISPLACED.

January 30, 2015

 

BROOKLYN, Conn. (WTNH)– Two people are dead following a house fire in Brooklyn Friday afternoon.

Two men were killed Friday afternoon when fire tore through the old Tiffany Mill site in East Brooklyn, ravaging apartments and forcing nearly a dozen residents from their homes.

Building owner Jim Dandeneau said earlier Friday afternoon that two residents remained unaccounted for after another tenant went door-to-door to rouse neighbors and get everyone out.

"There are two tenants still missing. We haven't heard yet from the fire department, haven't gotten official word, but we're not sure they made it out," Dandeneau said, adding that one of the missing residents had worked the third shift for him Thursday night.

State police said crews from the Brooklyn Fire Department searched the building just after 1:45 p.m. and found the bodies. According to Major Michael Darcy, the men died in the area where the fire broke out. They have not been publicly identified.

According to emergency dispatchers, flames had already engulfed the building by the time firefighters arrived, and they had to beat back the fire before they could get inside.

Dandeneau said the historic structure, built in 1820, contains seven apartments and houses 10 or 11 residents. A spokesperson for the American Red Cross, which is helping tenants who lost their homes, said at least 14 people have been displaced.

The facility suffered major damage. Dandeneau said smoke detectors sounded but the building is not equipped with sprinklers due to its age. He employs a full-time maintenance worker and added that the apartments are newly renovated and the building is up to code.

Karl Kuhn Jr., of Kuhn Builders in North Grosvenordale, said he saw smoke pouring from the windows and rushed to the rescue of two tenants who had refused to leave the burning building without their cat.

Six fire departments from Brooklyn and Killingly responded to the scene, along with state police troopers, who have shut down Route 6 in the area of 182 South Main Street.

The Connecticut State Police Fire & Explosion Investigative Unit and Eastern District Major Crime Squad are investigating, along with the local fire marshal.

It's not yet clear if the fire is accidental or will be deemed suspicious.

FIRE AT PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY APARTMENT COMPLEX

 

FIRE AT PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY APARTMENT COMPLEX

January 30, 2015

 

PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY – Firefighters were battling a fire at an apartment complex off New Brunswick Avenue Friday evening.

Township police said late Friday afternoon they have closed Royal Drive as a result of the blaze.

The development includes dozens of two-story garden style apartment buildings with brick facades. It is near the township's border with South Plainfield.

Fire damaged second floors and roofs of at least two buildings.

Firefighters shut off hoses at about 7 p.m when flames and smoke were no longer visible. One person was seen being taken out on a stretcher.

This is a breaking news story.