Fire season is here. We have already started seeing structure fires, camper/RV fires, alternative heating fires and even a Christmas tree fire. Yikes. When the weather gets colder things that burn in your home (fireplace, candles, electric heat) and appliances made for outside use ( fan forced/radiant propane, kerosene heaters) and others can fail in a big way leading to fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.

We ask you to be super safe and only heat with safe methods. Be sure to follow instructions of heating appliances, have your chimney/wood stove cleaned and inspected and to keep your heat sources away from any type of flammables.

We’re hoping for a happy and peaceful holiday season and are sure you are as well. Be careful! Stay safe!

We had a great time at the Ferndale Annual Country Christmas Parade. This event gets bigger each year and we are thrilled to be a part of it. Yes, bigger parade means more trucks and more candy but we are here for the cheer when the hundreds of kids meet us at the finish line. Thanks to all of you that came out and made the event one to remember! We had a blast and hope you did also!

Each fall and winter season, WPFD responds to several emergency calls and home fires involving fireplaces, chimneys and home heaters.

–The use of combustible fuel inside a home is a traditional and effective way to battle freezing temperatures.

–Not only does a fireplace or wood stove feel great on a chilly night, it also take some of the pressure of your home heating system by reducing the dependence on costly electric or propane/natural gas heating units; However, using an alternative heating source comes with some big responsibilities to ensure that they are properly maintained and operating in a safe manner.

Keeping your fireplace, wood stove, pellet stove, and chimney/stovepipe clean is of the highest importance.

–Failure to get your homes fire fueled heat system inspected and cleaned each year can lead to prevent potential leaks of fire, smoke, and harmful gases from the exhaust system (vent or chimney) into the home or attic causing dangerous conditions.

–Don’t risk fire, loss of your home, or death from carbon-monoxide leaks.

–Get your system inspected and cleaned to ensure your home is ready for a full cold season of safe heating!

Safe Home Heating–

–Heating fires account for 36% of residential home fires in rural areas every year.

–Most fire fueled heating failures are due to creosote buildup in chimneys and stovepipes.

–All home heating systems (including electric and natural gas) require regular maintenance to function safely and efficiently.

–Have your chimney or wood stove inspected and cleaned annually by a certified chimney specialist.

–Clear the area around the hearth of debris, decorations and flammable materials.

–Leave glass doors open while burning a fire. Leaving the doors open ensures that the fire receives enough air to ensure complete combustion and keeps creosote from building up in the chimney.

–Close glass doors when the fire is out to keep air from the chimney opening from getting into the room. Most glass fireplace doors have a metal mesh screen which should be closed when the glass doors are open. This mesh screen helps keep embers from getting out of the fireplace area.

–Always use a metal mesh screen with fireplaces that do not have a glass fireplace door.

–Install stovepipe thermometers to help monitor flue temperatures.

–Keep air inlets on wood stoves open, and never restrict air supply to fireplaces. Otherwise you may cause creosote buildup that could lead to a chimney fire.

–Use fire-resistant materials on walls around wood stoves.

Build A Better Fire–

–Never use flammable liquids to start or rebuild a fire in your fireplace or wood stove.

–Use only seasoned hardwood. Soft, moist wood accelerates creosote buildup.

–Build small fires that burn completely and produce less smoke.

–Never burn cardboard boxes, trash, plastic or debris in your fireplace or wood stove.

–When building a fire, place logs at the rear of the fireplace on an adequate supporting grate.

–Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended. Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.

–Soak hot ashes in water and place them in a metal container outside your home.

Outside Your Home–

–Stack firewood outdoors at least 30 feet away from your home.

–Keep the roof clear of leaves, pine needles and other debris.

–Cover the chimney with a mesh screen spark arrester.

–Remove branches hanging above the chimney, flues or vents.

Inside Your Home–

–Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and inside and outside of sleeping areas. Test them monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. Consider installing the new long life smoke alarms.

–Provide proper venting systems for all heating equipment.

Extend all vent pipes at least three feet above the roof.

Each day we respond to emergency calls we are faced with the challenge of finding our dispatched address quickly. For each properly marked address, there are many more that are so difficult to read or are not marked at all.

Help us find you Fast so we can help you Fast. These large, red, reflective address signs have become the standard for best address markings in our fire district. They stand out well at a distance, are visible from both directions of approach and can be seen better in all weather, even in the torrential rainstorms we have had recently.

Please make a point to get GREAT address markings on your mailbox/post or driveway leading to your home. Good address numbers help get us to your door. Great address numbers get us there faster. Help get us to you or further down the road with this fantastic marking for your location.

Call our 911 Address Ambassador Marcella Grimmett at 501-912-4211 to get this custom-made sign for $15. Get one for you and make sure your neighbors have one too so we can find them. The price is right if they need a gift that keeps on giving.

Thanks!

Have you signed up for smart911.com? It is an enhanced 911 service paid for by the state of Arkansas and free to you. Creating a secure profile on smart911.com can share critical information about you to emergency dispatchers automatically when seconds count.