Chief Bryan LaCivita and the Raynham Fire Department would like to remind residents that the 2024 Open Air Burning season will end Wednesday, May 1.

The Commonwealth’s annual burning period spans from Jan. 15 to May 1. Residents are able to burn brush, cane, driftwood, tree pruning and other forestry with a permit granted by the Raynham Fire Department.

Anyone who plans to use the remaining days of this year’s open burning season must obtain and activate an open burning permit. Residents are also reminded to never leave a fire unattended, to keep fire extinguishing materials handy while burning, and to only burn at least 75 feet from all buildings.

Thank you for your commitment to ensuring another safe open burning season this year.

###

Chief Bryan LaCivita and the Raynham Fire Department remind residents to check their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when setting their clocks ahead for Daylight Saving Time this weekend.

Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 10, and clocks will be moved ahead one hour at that time.

Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained are crucial life-saving devices that allow time to escape in the event of a fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), from 2014-2018, almost three out of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms (41%) or no working smoke alarms (16%).

The risk of dying in reported home structure fires is 55% lower in homes with working smoke alarms than in homes with no alarms or none that worked, according to the NFPA.

Furthermore, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, more than 400 people in the U.S. die from unintentional CO poisoning not linked to fires, more than 100,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 14,000 are hospitalized.

Residents are encouraged to review the following safety tips, courtesy of the NFPA, to keep their homes and loved ones safe:

• Test all smoke and CO alarms at least once a month, pressing the test button to ensure the alarm functions properly.
• Smoke alarms with non-replaceable 10-year batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.
  • Alarms with any other type of battery need a new battery at least once a year. When you change your clocks, also replace regular batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
• Smoke and CO alarms should be maintained and replaced according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Smoke alarms should be installed inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. On levels without bedrooms, install alarms in the living room (or den or family room) or near the stairway to the upper level, or in both locations.
• CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards.
• For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms, and all CO alarms. When one sounds, they all sound.
• If the CO alarm sounds, immediately exit the house or building and move outside to an area of fresh air, ensuring each person inside the home is accounted for. Then call 911 and await instructions from emergency personnel.
• Working with each member of the household, create and practice a home escape plan. Make sure everyone in the home understands the sound of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond.

The NFPA also notes that today’s smoke alarms are more technologically advanced to respond to a multitude of fire conditions, yet mitigate false alarms. Residents are reminded that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are not interchangeable and should never be disconnected. 

For additional information on installing and maintaining smoke alarms, click here. For additional information on CO alarm safety, click here.

###

RAYNHAM — Chief Bryan LaCivita and the Raynham Fire Department wish to honor the life and service of Retired Chief James Januse following his passing on Thursday, Nov. 23. He was 69.

Chief Januse was a lifelong resident of Raynham and a graduate of Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School. He was the first Raynham Fire Department graduate of the Massachusetts Fire Academy.

Chief Januse began his career as a call firefighter for the Raynham Fire Department in 1970. In 1993, he was named a full-time firefighter, a role he held for nine years before being promoted to lieutenant in 2002.

Januse became chief in 2008. As chief, he helped guide the department into the 21st century with modern technology and state-of-the-art equipment. He was also a member of the Bristol County Fire Chiefs Association.

Chief Januse retired in June 2019 after serving 49 years as a member of the Raynham Fire Department.

“Chief Januse dedicated many years to the safety and well-being of the Raynham community, and he had a significant positive impact on the growth and advancement of the department as chief,” Chief LaCivita said. “On behalf of the Raynham Fire Department, I send my deepest sympathies to his family.”

Calling hours will be held at the O’Keefe-Wade Funeral Home, 70 Washington St., Taunton, on Friday, Dec. 1 from 4-7 p.m. A service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 2 at the First Congregational Church, 785 South Main St., Raynham, at 10 a.m.

Chief Januse’s full obituary and arrangements can be found here.

###

Chief Bryan LaCivita and the Raynham Fire Department wish to share safety tips with community members as they plan to cook, bake and enjoy holiday meals over the coming days and weeks.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Thanksgiving, Christmas and Christmas Eve are peak days for home cooking fires. During 2017–2021, unattended cooking was the leading factor contributing to cooking fires and casualties.

To help prevent cooking fires and burn injuries this holiday season, community members are encouraged to review the following tips from the NFPA.

• When using the stovetop, never leave anything cooking unattended. Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
• When simmering, baking or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the kitchen while the food is cooking and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• When frying or sautéing, heat oil slowly to the temperature you need. Add food gently to the pot or pan so the oil does not splatter. If you see wisps of smoke or the oil smells while cooking, immediately turn off the burner and/or carefully remove the pan from the burner. Smoke is a danger sign that the oil is too hot.
• Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging or towels — away from your stovetop.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove.
• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from things like vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
• Keep the kitchen and dining room floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, bags or other items while cooking or handling food.
• Test your smoke alarms before cooking and make sure the batteries are replaced if needed.
• If you have a cooking fire:
  • If a small grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner and do not move the pan. To keep the fire from restarting, leave the lid on until the pan is completely cool.
  • If a fire starts in the oven, turn off the oven and leave the door closed. The oven should be checked and/or serviced before being used again.
  • If you try to put out a fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out. When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. Call 911 after you leave.

Additionally, the NFPA strongly discourages the use of deep fryers for cooking turkeys. For a safe alternative, NFPA recommends purchasing a fried turkey from a grocery store or restaurant or buying a fryer that does not use oil. Those who do use a fryer should use it on a sturdy, flat surface that is outdoors and at least 10 feet away from structures, including porches. Turkeys should be completely thawed and dried before being placed in a deep fryer to avoid flare-ups.

The Raynham Fire Department wishes everyone a safe, happy and healthy holiday season.

###