Westhampton fire chief offers tips for safe heating

By OWEN BOSS

Staff Writer

WESTHAMPTON - With winter officially here and townspeople preparing to spend more time in the comfort of their homes, Fire Chief Christopher Norris is urging residents to set time aside to make sure their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.

Since 2006, it has been a state mandate that carbon monoxide detectors are required in every residential dwelling, building or structure that contain fossil-fuel burning equipment or have an attached garage.

"Because carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas, it is all the more important that people be aware of the law and know that these detectors are a requirement," said Norris. In addition, he advised residents to walk around the outside of their homes, making sure that all vents leading in and out are clear of snow.

"With the high winds we've had recently, sometimes a gust will push snow drifts against a home and that can be enough to block up the vents and cause unsafe carbon monoxide levels," Norris said.

In addition to having appropriate detectors, Norris warned residents against operating generators or any other power equipment inside of their homes and recommends that they have an oil burner technician perform an annual safety review of their homes and detectors.

"We continually hear about the unfortunate occurrences of people getting hospitalized or killed from carbon monoxide poisoning that could have been prevented with properly working detectors," Norris said.

Norris also alerted townspeople that the state's burning season will begin in just over two weeks and will run from Jan. 15 to May 1.

In Westhampton, Norris said about 400 burning permits are approved annually, the majority of which are issued to residents in early spring.

"Unfortunately, most people will wait until the weather warms up to burn their brush piles, and after all of the snow is gone is when they can pose a greater fire danger," Norris said.

It is required that all brush piles must be at least 75 feet away from any buildings and grass, leaves, hay and stumps cannot be burned.

Norris said local firefighters reserve the right to inspect any permitted brush piles for compliance with the rules and regulations set by both the town and state. Any resident found to be breaking those rules will be asked to have their fire extinguished, and their burning permit will be revoked.

Free burning permits are available by calling the Fire Department at 529-7181 between the hours of 7 and 9 on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Residential burning in Westhampton will only be allowed on Saturdays and Sundays between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.