Fairmount Fire Company #1
Washington Township, Morris County, New Jersey
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FIRE PREVENTION
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Know that 911 can be used for any emergency in Washington or Tewksbury Townships. |
Household Fire Safety
Smoke Detectors
| How many smoke detectors do I
need in my home?
At a minimum, you should have at least one smoke
detector for every level of your home. Residents are advised in
particular to install smoke detectors near bedrooms, in stair wells,
and in all basements, either in the middle of the ceiling or six (6)
to twelve (12) inches below the ceiling on the wall. It is not
unreasonable to have one smoke detector in every room of your house! |
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| How do I maintain the smoke
detectors in my home?
1) Clean the smoke detector monthly by gently vacuuming the smoke head to remove dust and cobwebs. This will allow for proper air flow through the vents and allow for maximum sensitivity. 2) Test the smoke detector every month following the procedures recommended by the manufacturer. 3) Replace the smoke detector's battery annually to help protect your home and family. An easy way to remember this is to change the battery at the same time that you change your clocks for daylight savings time in the fall. |
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Home Heating Maintenance
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Have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a certified specialist annually. |
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Install a spark arrester on the top of your chimney. |
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Have your oil or gas burner inspected and tuned annually by a certified technician. |
Emergency Escape Plan
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Create an emergency escape plan which includes two exit routes from each location in the house as well as a central family meeting location outside the house. |
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Practice the escape plan on a monthly basis.
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Fire Proofing Your Property
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Stack firewood at least thirty feet from your home. |
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Store flammable materials, liquids, and solvents in a metal container outside the home at least thirty feet from structures and wooden fences. |
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Post home ADDRESS SIGNS that are clearly visible from the road. If we can't find you, we can't help you! |
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Make sure your drive way is clear for fire apparatus to gain access. Cut back overgrown brush, bushes, or tree branches that might prevent fire apparatus from accessing your property. |
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Have the appropriate windows in your house marked with TOT and INVALID STICKERS. |
Be a Responsible Community Member
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Make sure water sources, such as fire hydrants and ponds, are accessible to the fire department. If there is a fire hydrant or other water source (such as an underground water tank) near your house, be a responsible community member and shovel snow away from these water sources during winter snow storms. Fire fighters can't afford to waste precious moments digging hydrants out from underneath snow in order to connect to a water supply. |
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If you are driving and hear sirens or observe fire apparatus approaching, please pull over to the side of the road immediately and wait for the apparatus to pass. Please do not attempt to out run the apparatus, as you put both yourself and others in danger. When you pull over, it is safest for all parties if you come to a complete stop and avoid blocking intersections and driveways. |
How to Get Back on Track After a Fire
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If you or someone you know is the victim of a fire, life can seem like its suddenly turned upside down. Recovering from such a disaster can be both emotionally and physically draining. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) United States Fire Administration (USFA) has prepared information to help fire victims get their lives reorganized after a fire. This information is available at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/safety/atf/ |