Hanson Fire Department News
Updated December 23, 2009
More safety tips are available at www.mass.gov/dfs
Open Burning Season will begin January 15th 2010 and runs until May 1st.
Burning is allowed only with a permit.
Permits may be obtained at the Fire Dept. Headquarters station, 505 Liberty Street beginning on January 4th.
Permits cost $20.00, payable by check or money order made out to "The Town of Hanson" only. NO CASH MAY BE ACCEPTED.
You must be the property owner, or produce written permission of the property owner to obtain a permit. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Burning Rules
You must call the burning permit line each day before you burn. DO NOT CALL BEFORE 9:00 AM. The number is printed on your permit.
Permit holders are advised to burn early in the season, preferably while there is snow on the ground. Days of dry conditions, high or gusty winds will result in no burning being allowed.
You may not begin burning before 10:00 AM, and all fires must be out COLD by 4:00 PM
Your burn pile must be 70 feet away from any structure, including houses, garage, sheds or fences.
Burning is for brush, prunings and branches only. You may not burn leaves, trash, construction or demolition debris.
You must have rakes, shovels and a garden hose available while burning.
Fires must be attended continuously.
If smoke from your fire causes any nuisance problems with neighbors, you must extinguish the fire.
Violations of these rules will result in fines and your permit being revoked for the remainder of the season. There are no refunds of permit fees for revoked permits.
Open burning is only allowed on residential land. Burning on commercial property or for land clearing operations is not allowed.
Heater and stove safety
Have your furnace or boiler serviced according to the makers recommendations.
If you must use a space heater follow these safety rules.
When buying a heater look for one that has been tested and labeled by a nationally recognized testing company such as UL or FM.
Keep the heater at least an arms length away from drapes, furniture or other flammable materials.
Never leave a space heater unattended or on while you are sleeping.
Never use electric heaters in bathrooms.
Using unvented kerosene heaters is illegal in Massachusetts.
Wood stoves should be installed by a professional contractor and inspected by the Building Dept.
Chimneys should be cleaned at least once yearly for all heaters and twice a year if you heat completely with wood.
Have working Carbon Monoxide alarms on every level of your home.
For more heater safety tips go to www.mass.gov/dfs
ICE SAFETY
The only safe ice is at a skating arena!
Hanson Fire does not advise on the safety of pond ice in Hanson.
Ice Safety tips.
Always dress appropriately for the weather. Keep your head covered, up to 50% of body heat is lost through the head.
Ice on moving water is never safe, ice on ponds and lakes depends on depth, currents, springs, stumps, rocks, the action of wind, even the number of waterfowl that congregate can effect ice thickness.
If you see any open water the ice is absolutely not safe.
If some one with you falls through the ice, Call 911 FIRST. DO NOT GO ONTO THE ICE ! Make sure properly trained personnel are responding. almost 60% of all ice drowning victims were attempting to rescue someone else.
If they are close to shore, try to reach with a branch, ladder or pole. If you have something that will float, throw it to them.
If you hear the ice cracking or feel it start to sag, slowly lay down on the ice, with your head towards shore. This will distribute your weight over a greater area and maybe prevent you from falling in. If you do fall in it will prevent you hitting your head on the ice. Aim towards shore and slowly and deliberately slide along your stomach to the nearest edge.
If you see a dog through the Ice CALL 911. many people die each year trying to save a pet. The Hanson Fire Department has special equipment and training to save people and animals that have fallen through the ice.
Candle Safety
According to the Massachusetts Fire Marshal, fires caused by candles have tripled in the last ten years!
Burn candles inside a one foot circle of safety, an area free of anything that could come in contact with the flame and burn.
Stay in the same room with candles, NEVER leave them unattended or leave them burning when you go to sleep.
Keep candles well out of the reach of children and pets.
go to www.mass.gov/dfs for more safety tips
Carbon Monoxide Detect ors are now required.
As of April 1, 2006 Carbon Monoxide detectors
are required for all residences.
You need to have one CO detector on each level of your home, one within ten feet of bedrooms.
Battery powered detectors are allowed except in new construction or homes undergoing substantial renovation.
If you have questions on detector placement, call 781-293-9571, We'll be glad to assist you.