Fire Prevention

HADDON HEIGHTS BUREAU OF FIRE PREVENTION

The Bureau of Fire Prevention consists of a part time fire official and two fire inspectors which serve as career fighters for the fire department. We conduct inspections in over 300 registered properties along with permit inspections, complaints, fire prevention education and fire investigations with in the Borough. Our office enforces the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code and the Borough’s local ordinances within all of our commercial businesses, apartments, triplexes, duplexes, and single family rental units.

SELLING YOUR HOME?

The Bureau of Fire Prevention also handles the Certificate of Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Compliance (CSDCMAC). This inspection is required prior to selling your home. Please complete all the requirements before your inspection and schedule early to avoid any conflicts with your settlement. You can obtain the HHSDCMAC FORM below and email it to any of our inspectors. You can also visit our office or call with any questions.

IS YOUR BUSINESS OR RENTAL PROPERTY REGISTERED?

All businesses and rental property owners are required to register your property with our office. This includes new businesses, change in ownership or updating existing information. It is important to keep this information updated in case we need to contact owners for emergencies either during or after hours. You can obtain the VITAL INFORMATION FORM here and email it to any of inspectors.

TOP FIRE SAFETY TIPS

Working smoke detectors can reduce the risk of death in a residential fire by 40-50%.
The best smoke detectors are those with lithium-powered batteries and hush buttons. A lithium-powered battery can last up to 10 years, and a hush button allows you to quickly stop nuisance alarms that are caused by oven smoke, burnt toast, prolonged cooking, etc.
If 10-year, long-life smoke detectors are not available, install smoke detectors that use regular batteries, preferably alkaline, and replace the batteries as necessary - and at least once a year. (A useful tip to help you remember: in the fall, when you change your clocks to standard time, change your batteries as well!)
Test smoke detectors every month to make sure they are in proper working condition.
Replace a smoke alarm that's more than 10 years old

HOME FIRE PREVENTION TIPS

The most common causes of residential fires are careless cooking and faulty heating equipment. When cooking, never leave food on a stove or in an oven unattended. Avoid wearing clothes with long, loose-fitting sleeves.
Have your heating system checked annually, and follow manufacturer's instructions when using portable heaters.
Smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths and the second most common cause of residential fires. If you are a smoker, do not smoke in bed, never leave burning cigarettes unattended, do not empty smoldering ashes in the trash, and keep ashtrays away from upholstered furniture and curtains.
Keep matches and lighters away from children.
Never leave burning candles unattended or near combustible materials - home fires caused by candles have doubled in the past decade.
If a fire alarm sounds, or smoke is visible, evacuate first and then call the fire department.
Close doors behind you when leaving the room and building to slow the spread of fire and smoke.
Plan an escape route that shows two ways out of each room.
Identify a meeting place near the home.
Practice an escape plan - during the day and night - at least twice a year.
Talk to children frequently about preventing fires and escaping fires.
Do not leave a dryer on or a stove/oven on unattended.
Keep portable heaters at least three feet away from all combustible materials and never leave them on unattended.
Never disable a smoke alarm.
Do not overload power strips.
Turn holiday lights off when not at home.