Fire Safety & Arson Prevention Tips

Call it in:

• Report any smoke or fires to the Fire Department immediately by calling 9-1-1. Don’t assume someone else will call it in.
• Report any suspicious behavior to the Police Department immediately by calling 9-1-1.
• Contact the Somerville Police with any tips regarding any of the fires under investigation:
  • Call 617-625-1600 or 
  • Text tips anonymously by texting to the number "TIP411" ( 847411 ).  Put "617spd" at the beginning of your text message. If your message requires an emergency response PLEASE DO NOT TEXT and instead call 9-1-1.

Protect yourself, your family, and your home:

• Check batteries in smoke alarms and ensure they are operating.
• DO NOT use grills on porches, or 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.
• Dispose of cigarettes properly in deep ashtrays or cans with sand.
• Remove overstuffed furniture from porches.
• NEVER clean with gasoline, or store it in warm places.
• Remove all highly flammable items from areas close to your home, such as piles of leaves or papers, volatile liquids, etc.
• Keep your home secure: Lock all doors and windows including basement doors and windows.
• Keep lighting on at night: Leave your front and back porch lights on.

Have an escape plan:

• Have an escape plan and discuss it with your family or housemates: Plan two routes of escape from any room and pick a meeting spot safely away from the house.
• Do not stop to collect any belongings. Consider putting valuable or irreplaceable items in a fire-proof box now so you will not be tempted to look for them when escaping.
• Know how to crawl away from a fire. When exiting, stay low because smoke rises. Smoke can weaken your ability to respond in an emergency or suffocate you.
• Educate your children. They are likely to hide in a closet or under a bed during a fire if they haven’t been told what to do.
• Do not reenter a burning building for any reason.