IFD issues updated fire safety and prevention guidelines

IRVINGTON, NJ — In the wake of the two fatal fires on Sunday, Dec. 11, in nearby East Orange, officials with the Irvington Fire Department have issued updated guidelines regarding fire safety and prevention for residents to follow during the holiday season.

“In the colder months, we want to encourage people not to use space heaters of any sort; not to use the oven for any use that it was not intended; and the use of extension cords is minimized, because they have been problems over the years,” Irvington Fire Department Deputy Chief William Mulligan said Tuesday, Dec. 13. “No space heaters. Don’t use the oven as the first source of heat. And minimize the use of extension cords.”

“Holiday decorations are another one,” continued Mulligan. “Minimize use of extension cords. If you have live trees or decorations, make sure that they are not dried out and kept moist. We just recently had Fire Prevention Month in October. … Whenever we change the time from season to season, we encourage people to change the batteries in their smoke detectors.”

To learn more about holiday season fire prevention and safety, call 973-399-6557.

  Deputy Fire Chief William Mulligan, Irvington Fire Department