Frequently Asked Questions

Do not panic! Escape may depend on clear thinking.

• Get out of the house following the planned escape routes, if possible.
• Do not stop to get dressed or collect valuables.
• Open doors carefully after feeling to see if they are hot. If they are hot, do not open them, find another way to escape.
• Keep close to the floor – smoke and hot gases rise.
• If your clothes are on fire, STOP, DROP and ROLL. Be sure to cover your face with your hands. The ROLL will smother the flames on your clothes.
• If possible, do not run if your clothes catch fire. Running fans the flames and will intensify the fire. STOP, DROP and ROLL!
• When breathing, take short and Shallow breaths.
• Keep doors and windows closed unless, it is necessary to open them to escape.
• Meet at your established meeting place after you have left the house.
• Call 911 as soon as possible from outside the house. Give name and address.
• NEVER re-enter a burning building.

• Keep the grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas, and walkways. Grills should be at least 12 feet away from siding, deck railing, and out from under leaves and overhanging branches.
• Never keep spare propane cylinders under or near a grill, or inside the home.
• Do not move propane cylinders in a passenger vehicle.
• Keep matches, lighters, and starter fluid out of the reach of children and in a locked drawer or cabinet.
• Children should never be allowed to use outdoor cooking equipment.
• Don’t wear loose fitting clothing while cooking.
• Use long BBQ mitts and long-handled grilling tools to protect the chef from heat and flames.
• Turn off valves when not in use.
• Remove grease, fat buildup in the trays below the grill. This buildup can catch on fire.

You should have at least one smoke alarm in every bedroom, kitchen, and in the hallway outside each bedroom. A typical 3-bedroom home would need at least 5 properly installed smoke alarms to provide a reasonable amount of protection for your family.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends smoke detectors be replaced every 10 years. Batteries should be replaced every 6 months. We suggest that when you change your clocks for Daylight Savings Time, you change your detector batteries.

Yes, after assuring safe evacuation, you should call 911. Smoke detectors are sensitive to products of combustion in sizes and amounts often not seen by the human eye. Also, many smoke detectors are now also carbon monoxide detectors, a deadly gas that has no smell and is invisible. Never hesitate to call.

A multi-purpose (ABC) fire extinguisher is best for the home. This extinguisher can be used on any type of fire commonly found in the home. We recommended installing an extinguisher in the kitchen, basement and in the garage.

• The smell of sulfur or rotten egg will be detected.
• A whistling or hissing sound near the gas line.
• White or dust cloud near the gas line.
• Bubbles in water.
• Damaged gas pipe.
• Dead houseplants.

Call 911 and notify them of the issue. Do NOT approach the issue.

Blue Hills Fire Department is always recruiting volunteers. If you are interested, please vist OUR TEAM page for more details, or call, 860-243-8949 or email, [email protected].