Following two significant rear porch fires in Chelsea, including one that occurred last Sunday, Fire Chief Leonard Albanese has designated June as Porch Fire Safety month.
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“The Chelsea Fire Department is sponsoring a Porch Fire Safety campaign for the month of June,” he said. “Rear porch fires are a major cause of fast moving fires that can threaten our densely populated neighborhoods. These fires can burn undetected by occupants or interior smoke alarms.”
To combat this hazard, the Chelsea Fire Department is urging residents to implement three key preventive measures:
- Grilling Safety: City ordinances prohibit grilling on porches. Grills must be operated in the yard, positioned a minimum of 10 feet away from any building.
- Smoking Safety: Smokers should fully extinguish cigarettes every single time. Butts should be moistened and placed in heavy metal containers filled with sand. Never place cigarette butts in mulch or potted plants, and never discard them from windows or porches.
- Storage safety: A back porch serves as a critical secondary exit route during emergencies or fires. Excessive storage increases both structural weight and fire risk. Avoid using your porch for storage purposes, and maintain clear pathways and stairways for safe evacuation.
“Porch fire safety is important,” he said. “Last year there were approximately 100 grill fires in Massachusetts, almost half extended to a dwelling. Some 70 percent of these fires occurred between May and September. Nearly 150 residential fires were started outside by cigarettes and extended to a building. Please do your part to help protect our neighborhoods.”
The Chelsea Fire Department expressed gratitude to residents for their partnership and emphasized its commitment to helping everyone enjoy a safe and healthy summer season.