fire safety News

Fire Sprinkler Requirement Bill Dies in New Jersey

Fire sprinklers will not be required in new homes in New Jersey. Gov. Chris Christie on Jan. 21 allowed a bill that made the rule to die. The measure would have applied to newly constructed homes. It would not have …

Home Fire Sprinkler Bill Advances in New Jersey

New homes in New Jersey might need to have fire sprinklers. A Senate committee on Monday approved the measure. It awaits a vote in the chamber. The measure would apply to newly constructed homes. It would not apply to mobile …

N.J. Bill Requiring New Homes Be Equipped With Fire Suppression Systems Advances

In New Jersey, legislation sponsored by state Sen. Donald Norcross (D-Camden/Gloucester) that would increase public safety by requiring that certain new homes are equipped with a fire suppression system was approved Thursday by the N.J. Senate Community and Urban Affairs …

Penn. Insurance Department Offers Simple Tips to Prevent Home Fires

Deaths from fires and burns are the third-leading cause of fatal home injuries, and Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Consedine offered five simple ways to prevent home fires. “Often victims in house fires die from smoke or toxic gases, rather than …

NYC Launches Fire Safety Effort in Sandy’s Wake

A first-of-its-kind fire-safety push in New York City focuses on homes in areas battered by Superstorm Sandy. The Fire Department announced the initiative Monday. FDNY representatives will visit homes in Sandy-damaged areas to assess fire safety and install smoke and …

Despite Recent Tennessee Tragedy, Progress Made on Reducing Fire Deaths

Gary Vaughn was mentally ill and homeless, but neighbors on Humber Street in South Memphis had known him for years and took care of him. On the evening of Sept. 28, they saw smoke and flames erupting from the abandoned …

South Jersey Boardwalks’ Unique Aspects Challenge Firefighters

Squeezing a bunch of structures together along a street made of wood is probably not the way to go when building a fire-resistant neighborhood. And yet there they are, in many New Jersey shore towns. South Jersey boardwalks in Atlantic …

Miss. Kicks Off New Fire Safety Program, Distributes Free Smoke Alarms

Mississippi’s insurance commissioner and fire marshal Mike Chaney kicked off a new statewide fire safety program called “Operation: SAM (Smoke Alarms Mississippi).” Last week, the program distributed free smoke alarms at the Neshoba County Fair. In 2011, 15 cabins were …

Tennessee Commissioner McPeak Urges Fire Safety in Manufactured Homes

Tennessee officials are urging residents of manufactured homes – also known as mobile homes or trailers – to practice fire safety. More than 250,000 of these homes exist in Tennessee, according to Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office. “Fires move more …

Massachusetts Fire Officials Urge Prompt Holiday Tree Disposal

Massachusetts fire officials are urging residents not to keep Christmas trees too long into the new year.State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan says if a dried out Christmas tree ignites, it can spread a fire quickly.