Fire Safety Tips from Wyckoff Fire Dept.

The following message to residents was sent to Wyckoff Patch by Wyckoff Fire Chief Mike Rose: 

The wishes everyone a safe holiday season and new year!

Help out by keeping your hydrants clear of snow during this winter season.

The Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Department requests residents living near a fire hydrant to “Adopt a Hydrant” and remove snow, ice, vegetation and debris from around the hydrant. 

Due to the large volume of snow the Township of Wyckoff experienced last winter, the Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Department and Township of Wyckoff have updated the ordinance pertaining to the maintenance and upkeep of fire hydrants. As property owners or tenants, we are responsible to ensure that the area within a 5 foot radius around a fire hydrant on your property is clear of snow and ice no later than 12 hours after the snowfall. 

Why is this so important? In the event of a true fire emergency at your home or place of business, seconds count. Last winter, due to the number of fire hydrants that were not visible or accessible, the volunteers of the Wyckoff Fire Department spent four days locating and clearing snow from hydrants on private property.

If you contract with a private contractor to plow their driveway and shovel their sidewalks, please instruct your contractor to remove the snow from around a fire hydrant if one is in front of your home.

Each hydrant in town has been identified with a wooden hydrant stake. The hydrant stakes serve to mark the hydrant for first responders in the event of a true emergency and the hydrant is needed. We are asking all residents to please keep these hydrant stakes attached to their nearby hydrant and do not remove them. If you desire to remove the hydrant stake in the spring, please put it back out by November 1. This effort by our neighbors will serve as a great benefit to all of neighbors and residents.

Other seasonal fire safety precautions:

• Check your fireplace. Have it professionally cleaned at least once a year, more often if it is used frequently. Dispose of ashes in a metal container.
• Keep in metal or glass screen in front of the fireplace opening to keep sparks and embers from jumping out on to the floor surface.
• Check your Christmas tree lights before using them. They should bear the label of an approved testing agency (UL or FM). Replace sets that are worn or have loose connections. Unplug all lights before going to sleep or leaving the house.
• If you have a fresh tree, install a smoke detector in the room where the tree is located. Test you smoke detectors monthly. If they are battery-operated, change the batteries yearly. State law requires that there should be at least one detector on each level of your home, including the basement.
• After a party, check your furniture for smoldering cigarettes. Empty all ashtrays into a metal container.
• Children should be taught to stay away from heaters, stoves, candles and fireplaces.
• Be sure that fireplace fire is out before retiring for the evening. Do not close the damper if there are hot ashes in the fireplace; a closed damper can reheat the fire and force carbon monoxide into the house.
• Do not place ashes in combustible containers. Store the correct container outdoors and away from any weeds or structures.
• Plan ahead! Have an emergency exit drill in place. Review and practice it with your family. Establish a meeting place outside the house so you can account for everyone in case of emergency.
• With a few easy precautions and common sense, we can safely enjoy this winter season. 

Thank you from the