By Michael Contaxis
1st Asst. Chief WFD
Fire safety begins with all of us. Many home fires are preventable. Remember not to plug any appliances into any extension cords and only directly into a properly connected electrical receptacle.
Doing laundry is most likely part of your everyday routine but did you know how important taking care of your clothes dryer is to the safety of your home? With a few simple safety tips, you can help prevent a clothes dryer fire.
Have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional. Do not use the dryer without a lint filter. Make sure you clean the lint filter before or after each load of laundry. Remove lint that has collected around the drum. Rigid or flexible metal venting material should be used to sustain proper air flow and drying time.
Make sure the air exhaust vent pipe is not restricted and the outdoor vent flap will open when the dryer is operating. Once a year, or more often if you notice that it is taking longer than normal for your clothes to dry, clean lint out of the vent pipe or have a dryer lint removal service do it for you.
Keep dryers in good working order. Gas dryers should be inspected by a qualified professional to make sure that the gas line and connection are intact and free of leaks. Make sure the right plug and outlet are used and that the machine is connected properly. Follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions and don’t overload your dryer. Turn the dryer off if you leave home or when you go to bed.
Dryers should be properly grounded. Check the outdoor vent flap to make sure it is not covered by snow. Keep the area around your dryer clear of things that can burn, like boxes, cleaning supplies and clothing, etc. Clothes that have come in contact with flammable substances, like gasoline, paint thinner, or similar solvents should be laid outside to dry, then can be washed and dried as usual. The leading cause of home clothes dryer fires is failure to clean them!
Calls for Service
The WFD has responded to 118 calls for service to date. During the week, the WFD held company apparatus checks, Ventilation Classroom Drill, Operations Drill, and their monthly scheduled District work session.
On Thurs., Apr. 15, the WFD Extrications Team held its monthly scheduled Extrication Drill at Specht’s Garage. The Extrication Team was instructed by Engine Company #3 Officers on how to properly secure overturned vehicles and how to safely extricate victims. We can’t thank the Specht family enough for the use of the Specht’s Auto Recycling Garage Facility on Covered Bridge Rd. for the continued support to the team.
On Sat., Apr. 17, the Excelsior Hose Company #1 held an Operations Drill at the Memorial Park WFD Pump Station to practice pump operations and at Warwick Station #4 to practice hydrant and hand-line operations.
As part of the 10th Annual FASNY Firemen’s Association of the State of NY RecruitNY Recruitment Drive, the Warwick Fire Department (WFD) will host an Open House Recruitment Drive on Sat., Apr. 24 from 12 noon to 4 p.m. at the WFD headquarters, located at 25 Church St. Ext. in Warwick. The Warwick Fire Department will join other Volunteer Fire Departments throughout NYS at their respective firehouses for a unified recruitment drive. Not only will RecruitNY be an opportunity to highlight the rewards and responsibilities that come with being a volunteer firefighter, it will also raise public awareness about the need for volunteers.
Join the Fire Department
Those interested in joining the Warwick Fire Department, age 16 and older, call 986-3473; contact WFD via social media on Facebook or Instagram; email wfd634c@yahoo.com; or stop by any firehouses any evening to speak with a Fire Officer about joining. The best evenings are Mondays at 7 p.m. or the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
