As the Fourth of July holiday approaches quickly, we would like to remind residents that the recreational use of fireworks is illegal in Massachusetts. According to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, there have been more than 550 fires and explosions involving illegal fireworks in Massachusetts in the past five years. Six firefighters were injured in these incidents, and damages were estimated at nearly $1 million. Between 2019 and…
With temperatures expected to reach the 80s and 90s over the next several days, we would like to remind residents to take safety precautions during outdoor activities in hot weather. The National Weather Service defines a "heat wave" as a period of abnormally hot weather generally lasting more than two days. Heat waves can occur with or without high humidity. To prevent illness and injuries, it is imperative that residents…
May is National Water Safety Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about boating and swimming safety. According to the American Red Cross, about 4,000 people die from unintentional drowning each year, which is an average of 11 deaths per day. During 2023, the American Coast Guard reported 3,844 boating accidents that resulted in 564 deaths and 2,126 injuries. National Water Safety Month aims to educate people about the importance of safe swimming…
National Mental Health Month, observed each May, promotes mental wellness through an annual theme. Mental Health America’s theme for 2025 is “Turn Awareness into Action.” This initiative encourages people to recognize the strides that have been made in decreasing the stigma around mental health, while also working to transform this understanding into actions to create change. According to Mental Health America, nearly one in five American adults will have a diagnosable mental health condition…
Motorcycle Safety Month is observed every year in May. As the weather gets warmer and more motorcyclists are on the road, the initiative raises awareness of road safety for motorcyclists and those who share the road with them. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that, in 2023, the most recent full year of data, 6,335 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes, representing 15% of all traffic fatalities. The American Motorcycle…
The Swansea Fire Department extinguished a house fire on Mount Fair Circle early Friday morning. (Photo Courtesy Swansea Fire Department) SWANSEA — Deputy Fire Chief Michael Patterson reports that the Swansea Fire Department extinguished a house fire on Mount Fair Circle early this morning. On Friday, April 11, at approximately 3:47 a.m., the Swansea Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a house fire at 262 Mount Fair Circle. On arrival,…
Swansea Fire Department Reminds Residents to Change Clocks and Check Alarms for Daylight Saving Time
The Swansea Fire Department would like to remind residents to check their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms as they spring forward. Clocks will be moved ahead one hour on Sunday, March 9, at 2 a.m. Properly installed and maintained smoke and carbon monoxide alarms play a crucial role in emergency scenarios. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported that, from 2018-2022, 59% of home fire deaths resulted from fires in…
BEWARE OF ICE! During the winter months, it can be tempting to venture out onto frozen waterways, but we urge caution and remind residents that no ice is 100% safe ice. You should always consider ice potentially dangerous, as it's impossible to judge ice conditions by appearance or thickness alone. Many factors, including water depth, the size of the body of water, water chemistry, currents, snow cover, age of ice,…
The Swansea Fire Department has been noticing an increase in cars parked in fire lanes and in front of fire hydrants. As a reminder, NEVER park in a fire lane or in front of a hydrant, even if your hazard lights are on. Parking in these areas prevents first responders from accessing buildings in case of an emergency and slows down response times. The Swansea Fire Department thanks those who…
The holiday season is upon us, with Thanksgiving later this week. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, with more than three times the daily average for such incidents. Christmas Day and Eve ranked second and third, nearly twice the daily average. According to the NFPA, cooking causes over half (52%) of all reported house fires and nearly two out…