As we are all aware, we seem to be experiencing an Old Fashioned Winter here in Bartlett like when I was a kid, the likes of which we haven’t seen in quite some time. The following are reminders from the Chief in regards to fire safety during the winter months.

Shovel Your Roof

If you haven’t been maintaining the roof on your building, please shovel the roof off before the snow starts to get heavier. If you are unable to do this yourself please hire someone to do this for you. This will reduce the hazard of both roof collapse and ice dams causing water to come into your living area.

Keep Vents Clear

Check all vents around the perimeter of your building. These vents include but are not limited to all heating appliances including pellet stoves, all clothes dryer vents, and any fresh air intakes. The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is a real possibility if the snow has the vent of your heating appliance blocked. The dryer vents, even electric dryers must be kept clear to reduce the risk of a dryer fire which is compounded if the dryer is a propane fired dryer. Check the vents after your roof has been shoveled and make sure your required carbon monoxide detector has fresh batteries and is working by testing the detector.

Private Roads & driveways

Please, please make sure whomever plows your driveway or private road keeps these pushed back far enough for fire apparatus and ambulances can get to you. There are many of these places that are in desperate need of loader work shoving back the snow bank.

Propane Tanks

Make certain any propane tanks are protected from physical damage by vehicles especially front end loaders as is required. This is the time of the year when we see a spike in propane tanks being struck by folks pushing back the banks. Contact your propane supply company for assistance with this. We just responded to an incident where a loader struck the dome of an underground propane tank causing a significant propane leak!!!

Wood Stoves & Chimney’s

If you haven’t been maintaining and sweeping your chimney during the winter, please do so now. Dispose of all wood ashes properly in a metal bucket ONLY!! With all of this snow fall gaining access to a roof is extremely difficult wading through the snow.

Please help us help you by taking care of these routine winter maintenance tasks. Please stay safe and enjoy the winter.

Fire Chief L. Patrick Roberts