WFD: Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen

By Michael Contaxis 

1st Assistant Chief Warwick Fire Department

  The Warwick Fire Department (WFD) has responded to 307 calls for service to date. 

  Fire safety begins with everyone. Many home fires are preventable. Always remember to keep the community Warwick Fire Safe. The WFD Fire Prevention Team is “Preventing Fires Through Education.” 

It’s National Fire Prevention Week Oct. 4 through Oct. 10. This year’s theme is “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen.” Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries. Ranges or cooktops cause 62% of home fires, according to NFPA. 

Learn how to stay safe with these tips: Keep anything that can catch fire away from the stovetop. Always unplug countertop alliances when not in use. Make sure you have GFCI receptacles in your kitchen and test them regularly to prevent shock and electrocution. Double check that everything is off when you finish cooking. Prevent fires by keeping the oven and stovetop clean of grease and dust. Never leave the kitchen while cooking. Never cook while sleepy, drinking alcohol, or taking medication that makes you drowsy. Never disable a smoke alarm while cooking. Never use a stove to heat your home.

For Fire Prevention Week Tips learn more at www.fpw.org or www.esfi.org. Learning Fire Prevention is easy and right from your smart phone and tablet by visiting www.NFPA.ORG, community.nfpa.org or the children’s interactive site at www.sparkyschoolhouse.org.

Check Boilers & Hot Water Heaters

  The cold weather has set in early so now is the time to have boilers, hot water heaters, and all heating systems checked by a certified heating professional and as always have more than one smoke and carbon monoxide detector functioning on all levels of your home.  

Training 

During the week, the WFD held their monthly scheduled Operations Department Drill at the Wickham Woodlands “H” Block Building on State School Rd.  Thank you to the Florida Fire District for supplying us with a Tanker for Water Operations. 

Engine Company #3 Gets Ready for Construction of New Station

  Also, firefighters from Engine Company #3 packed up the last of Company belongings from the South St. Extension Station to ready the building for removal for construction of the new Warwick Fire District Engine Company #3 Fire Station.  The chiefs, officers and members of the WFD would like to wish the best to the members of Engine Company #3.  

Thank you to the Warwick Fire District and to the Warwick Community for your continued support of the WFD. The Engine Company #3 Apparatus was led to its new temporary home at Warwick Station #1 until the completion of the new Station #3.  

Numbers to Call in an Emergency

  The WFD reminds residents to call the Warwick Police Department Communications Desk at 986-5000 or Orange County 911 in the event of an emergency.   

Join the Fire Department

  For those who are 16 years of age or older who want to give back to the community, join the Warwick Fire Department. Those who are interested can stop by any of the firehouses in the evening to speak with a Fire Officer, especially on Mondays at 7 p.m. or the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. For more information call 986-3473 or send an email to  wfd634c@yahoo.com or warwickfire150@gmail.com.

It’s National Fire Prevention Week from Oct. 4 through Oct. 10.