'Hot Off The Press' East Haddam Volunteer Fire Department News: December 2011

Happy Holidays!

The East Haddam Volunteer Fire Department hosted it's annual Children's Christmas Party on Sunday, December 11th.

The festivities began when Santa arrived in....what else? One of the department's engines! The children lined the hallway at Firehouse, Company #1 on Town Street, waiting patiently (and impatiently) for their chance to inform the magical man in the red suit of their most desired Christmas wishes.

Parents from around East Haddam and Moodus brought their children, ages 8 and under, (two of the youngest attendees being only 8 weeks old) to meet Santa, socialize and enjoy apple juice and Christmas cookies, all provided by the fire department. And, as has been a tradition for decades and decades...to receive a special gift from Santa.

Patch stopped by to take some photos of a few of the children as they posed with Santa, sharing smiles, hugs and laughter. Santa even brought along a couple of his elves to help hand out presents! And just as in year's past, a great time was had by all.

The holiday season is traditionally a time of celebrations and parties, but it's an important time to think about fire safety as well.

Christmas is a time when extra fire hazards are in the home, including candles and decorations, portable heaters and indoor fireplaces that are being lit for the first time. Here are a few things to consider that could keep you and your family safer:

* never leave burning candles unattended.

* never place candles near your Christmas tree or furnishings.

* keep candles, lighters and matches out of the reach of children.

* never attach decorations to lights or heaters.

* don’t use lights with worn or frayed cables/chords.

* turn off Christmas lights at night or when you are leaving the house.

* don't overload electrical sockets.

* if you chose to keep a live Christmas Tree, be sure to keep it well-watered.

* never leave a cooker or stove in use unattended - most fires start in the kitchen.     

* test your smoke alarm every week and make sure to replace the battery or the smoke alarm if it's not working.

* make sure anyone staying in your house knows what to do in an emergency  – make a fire escape plan.

* take the time to check on elderly relatives and neighbors from time to time to make sure they are safe.
 
For more safety tips during the holiday season, you can visit the National Fire Protection Association or U.S. Fire Administration's websites, and have a safe and Merry Christmas!

The East Haddam Volunteer Fire Department reports the following incidents for November:

GOOD INTENT - 5 Ridgebury Road, Wednesday, Nov .2 at 9:51 a.m.

MEDICAL, LIFT ASSIST - 105 Falls Road, Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 10:10 a.m.

WATER IN THE BASEMENT - 110 Boardman Road, Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 11:39 a.m.

MOTOR-VEHICLE ACCIDENT - Moodus-Leesville Road, Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 2:41 p.m.

CARBON MONOXIDE INVESTIGATION - 101 Beebe Road, Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 11:00 p.m.

FIRE ALARM - 106 River Road, Thursday, Nov. 3 at 8:51 p.m.

OUTSIDE FIRE - 56 O'Connell Road, Sunday, Nov. 6 at 3:11 p.m.

MOTOR-VEHICLE ACCIDENT - Salem Road, Thursday, Nov. 10 at 3:00 p.m.

HAZARDOUS FLUID SPILL - 31 William F. Palmer Road, Monday, Nov. 14 at 12:30 p.m.

PROPANE LEAK - 4 Hamburg Road, Saturday, Nov. 19 at 9:59 a.m.

SMOKE INVESTIGATION - 129 Falls Road, Saturday, Nov. 19 at 4:57 p.m.

WIRES DOWN - 356 Tater Hill Road, Saturday, Nov. 19 at 5:01 p.m.

OUTSIDE FIRE - 19 Ballahack Road, Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 2:23 p.m.

WATER IN THE BASEMENT - 87 Leesville Road, Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 6:09 p.m.

MOTOR-VEHICLE ACCIDENT - Cherry Swamp Road, Thursday, Nov. 24 at 1:51 a.m.

MUTUAL AID TO THE TOWN OF LYME - 254 Beaver Brook Road, Friday Nov. 25 at 7:11 a.m.

STRUCTURE FIRE - 9 Haywardville Road, Saturday, Nov. 26 at 5:35 p.m.

FURNACE PROBLEM - 16 Leesville Road, Saturday, Nov. 26 at 8:15 p.m.