Old Mystic Fire Department
Old Mystic, CT 06355
Mission Statement
The Old Mystic Fire Department is committed to provide exceptional service in a professional manner while showing compassion for those in need. We will protect lives, property, and the environment through fire suppression, emergency services, hazardous materials mitigation, fire prevention, and community education.
The Department will be a visionary, service-oriented organization that provides innovative and effective leadership through our ongoing education and training.
Fire Safety
As Fall ends and we begin Winter, remember a few important safety tips
-As always check your Smoke detectors once a month and test them at
night or nap time to see if it wake young children.
-Install Carbon Monoxide detectors, you can not see or smell this
deadly gas.
-Prepare and practice an escape plan for all family members. Try to
have at least 2 exits for each area of the home.
Heating fires account for 36% of residential home fires in rural areas
every year. Often these fires are due to creosote buildup in chimneys
and stovepipes. All home heating systems require regular maintenance
to function safely and efficiently.
Keep Fireplaces and Wood Stoves Clean
Have your chimney or wood stove inspected and cleaned annually by a
certified chimney specialist.
Clear the area around the hearth of debris, decorations and flammable
materials.
Always use a metal mesh screen with fireplaces. Leave glass doors open
while burning a fire.
Install stovepipe thermometers to help monitor flue temperatures.
Keep air inlets on wood stoves open, and never restrict air supply to
fireplaces. Otherwise you may cause creosote buildup that could lead to
a chimney fire.
Use fire-resistant materials on walls around wood stoves.
Safely Burn Fuels
Never use flammable liquids to start a fire.
Use only seasoned hardwood. Soft, moist wood accelerates creosote
buildup.
Build small fires that burn completely and produce less smoke.
Never burn cardboard boxes, trash or debris in your fireplace or wood
stove.
When building a fire, place logs at the rear of the fireplace on an
adequate supporting grate.
Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended. Extinguish the fire
before going to bed or leaving the house.
Soak hot ashes in water and place them in a metal container outside
your home.
Protect the Outside of Your Home
Stack firewood outdoors at least 30 feet away from your home.
Keep the roof clear of leaves, pine needles and other debris.
Cover the chimney with a mesh screen spark arrester.
Remove branches hanging above the chimney, flues or vents.
Protect the Inside of Your Home
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home. Test them monthly
and change the batteries at least once a year. Consider installing
the new long life smoke alarms.
Provide proper venting systems for all heating equipment.
Extend all vent pipes at least three feet above the roof.
(Information provided from USFA website. http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/index.shtm )