Chief Fire Engineer urges residents to protect homes against summer fires with easy precautions.

Chief Fire Engineer Kevin Kelleher and the Somerville Fire Department remind all residents that with higher temperatures and dry weather comes the increased risk for fire hazards, and ask residents to take necessary preventive steps in your home to decrease this risk.

The following is a list of steps to consider in your home:

• Check batteries and operations in smoke detectors.
• DO NOT use grills on porches, on any floor of your home.
• If you use air conditioners, be sure they are plugged into updated and secure sockets or surge protectors. Only plug extension cords into one outlet, and do not run cords under any rugs.
• Avoid smoking on porches, or while sitting in bed or on couches.
• Remove overstuffed furniture from porches.
• NEVER clean with gasoline, or store it in warm places.

In the event of a fire, be sure your family or your roommates are prepared by discussing evacuation routes and planning a meeting area outside the home.

“In recent weeks, a number of fires have occurred throughout the City, however no injuries were reported thanks to updated and functioning smoke detectors and other actions taken by homeowners,” said Chief Kelleher. “It’s important to be proactive about fire prevention and fire safety, particularly in extreme heat or, conversely, in extreme cold when space heaters and other similar factors come into play. We are thankful that no one was seriously injured in these recent fires, but it is important to remind everyone that fire safety is important and necessary year-round.”

Thank you for considering these important steps to help us ensure the safety of our community.