Town of Amherst Fire Safety Division

02/01/2026

🚨 Fire Investigation & Safety Reminder 🚨

This morning, the Amherst Fire Inspector’s Office was dispatched alongside the Main-Transit Fire Department for a fire investigation. As details are still being gathered, we want to take a moment to remind everyone about the importance of smoke alarms — your home’s silent guardians.

🔥 Smoke Alarm Safety Tips:
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement
• Place alarms inside each bedroom and outside sleeping areas
• Interconnect alarms so when one sounds, they all sound

🔧 Maintenance Matters:
• Test alarms monthly
• Replace batteries yearly (or when they chirp)
• Replace the entire alarm every 10 years

🧠 Know Your Alarms:
• Ionization – better for fast-flaming fires
• Photoelectric – better for smoldering fires
• Dual-sensor – combines both for maximum protection

⏰ A working smoke alarm can mean the difference between life and tragedy. Take a moment today to check yours.



Photo credit to MTFD Past Chief Carlie Fischer

01/07/2026

New year, fresh reminder 🚨

Smoke alarms are a key part of your home fire escape plan. Working smoke alarms give you early warning when seconds matter. Take a moment to check the date and test your smoke alarms.

More safety tips: nfpa.org/smokealarms

01/04/2026

Since this seems to be needed over the past few days lets go over:
🔥 Kitchen Oven Safety: Stop a Fire Before It Starts! 🔥
Is your oven's bottom drawer used for storage? That's a serious fire risk!
It's a warming drawer, designed to produce heat. Storing items in it can lead to a devastating kitchen fire. Do you store items in your Oven? Its used for cooking or baking food!

🚫 NEVER Store These Items:
* Paper, cardboard pizza boxes, or even cookbooks
* Plastic containers or bags
* Oven mitts or dish towels
* Anything not 100% oven-safe!

✅ Safe Kitchen Habits:
* Keep the drawer and oven EMPTY unless actively heating food.
* Always double-check it before turning on the oven.
* Educate everyone in your household on the danger.

A few seconds of caution can save your home. Keep storage out of the oven!

12/31/2025

🚒 Fire Safety Reminder 🚒

Earlier this morning, the Amherst Fire Inspector’s Office reached its 50th fire investigation of the year. Our office is made up of nationally certified fire investigators who work to determine the origin and cause of fires.

This is a noticeable increase compared to past years. Beyond fire investigations, our inspectors are also busy handling fire safety complaints, sprinkler system issues, vehicle impacts into buildings, hoarding and life safety concerns, permits, and annual inspections.

While fires are never something we want to see, our mission is always prevention, education, and community safety. Please take a moment to check your smoke alarms, practice evacuation plans, and review fire safety tips with your family.

We’re always here when you need us.
Have a safe and happy New Year 🎆🔥

12/29/2025

⚠️ POWER OUTAGE AND GENERATOR SAFETY TIPS⚠️

With freezing rain and potential outages in the forecast, it’s time to prepare.

Save this post or take a screenshot so you have these tips handy if the lights go out! 💡❄️

🔌 FIRST STEPS

Verify the outage: Check your electrical panel and see if your neighbors still have lights.

Report it: Contact your local utility service provider immediately to report the outage and get updates.

STAY AWAY: Keep yourself, children, and pets at least 30 feet away from any downed power lines. Even if they’ve been down for days, they could still be live!

🏠 INSIDE THE HOME

Unplug: Turn off and unplug electronics and appliances (except the fridge/freezer) to prevent damage from power surges.

The "One Light" Rule: Keep one light on inside (so you know when power is back) and one light on outside (to alert utility workers).

Heat Safety: Only use portable heaters designed for indoor use. If using a natural gas fireplace, ensure it's monitored.

🚫 NEVER use a gas stove, oven, charcoal BBQ, or camping stove as a heat source. This creates a deadly risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

🚫 NEVER run a generator indoors. Make sure they are running away from windows or doors to keep carbon monixde out

🍎 FOOD & WATER SAFETY

Keep it closed: Every time you open the fridge or freezer, cold air escapes.

The Clock is Ticking: * Fridge: Keeps food cold for about 4 hours.

Full Freezer: Keeps food frozen for 2 days.

Half-full Freezer: Keeps food frozen for 1 day.

Winter Tip: If it’s freezing outside and you’re out of power for a long time, you can store food outdoors (just keep it secure from wildlife!).

Water Prep: Fill your bathtub with water now so you can use it to manually flush toilets during the outage.

Stay safe, stay warm, and check on your neighbors! 🤝

11/26/2025

🦃 Thanksgiving Safety Starts with Preparedness! 🍂

As families gather to celebrate, let’s keep safety at the heart of your holiday plans.

🍳 In the Kitchen: Never leave cooking unattended and have a fire extinguisher nearby
🚗 Travel Safely: Plan your route, check weather conditions and always buckle up!
🏡 Gathering Smart: Have a plan for emergencies, check your smoke alarms and CO detectors
🐕Pet Safety: Keep potentially harmful foods like onion, grapes and chocolate away from your pets

Preparation means a happier, healthier holiday for all. Stay alert and enjoy the feast safely!

10/22/2025

🎃 Halloween Fire Safety Tips 🎃

As you prepare for a night of fun and frights, remember that safety is no trick! Here are a few ways to keep your family and community safe this Halloween:

🔥 Costume Safety

Choose costumes made with flame-resistant materials.

Keep loose fabric and long capes away from open flames like candles or jack-o’-lanterns.

Make sure costumes are bright and visible—add reflective tape or carry a flashlight.

🕯️ Decorations

Use battery-operated candles or glow sticks instead of real flames in pumpkins and displays.

Keep exits clear of decorations so everyone can get out safely in an emergency.

Never leave candles unattended.

🚒 Trick-or-Treating

Stay on well-lit streets and cross at corners.

Have an adult accompany young children.

Remind kids to never enter a stranger’s home or vehicle.

Let’s all do our part to make sure this Halloween is fun, safe, and fire-free!

👻 Happy Halloween season from your Amherst Fire Inspectors 🎃

10/07/2025

🔌 Charge Smart — Charging location matters

Charging batteries on soft surfaces (beds, couches, pillows) is risky. Always charge on hard, flat, non-flammable surfaces. Avoid charging under blankets or near flammable materials.

🛏️ Tip: Put a sign next to common charging spots (e.g. “Charge here, not there”).

Call to Action: Tonight, walk around your home and find where devices are charging—are they on safe surfaces? Share a photo in the comments (if safe to do so).

10/06/2025

🔋🔥 Welcome to Fire Prevention Week 2025! This year’s theme is “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.”
National Volunteer Fire Council
+1

Most devices in our homes—from phones and laptops to e-bikes and power tools—use lithium-ion batteries. When misused, they can overheat or catch fire. Over the next week, we’ll share how you can buy safer, charge smarter, and recycle responsibly.

Stay tuned—and share this post to help raise awareness in your household!

Join NFPA and fire departments across North America for Fire Prevention Week™ 2025: “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.” The campa...

10/03/2025

Statewide burn ban in effect due to increased fire risk and continued dry conditions. The ban will be in effect for 14 days from Oct. 2 to Oct. 15 and will be reevaluated prior to expiration.

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/due-increased-fire-risk-governor-hochul-implements-temporary-statewide-burn-ban #:~:text=ny.gov%20website.-,GOVERNORKATHY%20HOCHUL,to%20conserve%20water%20whenever%20possible.