FIRE PREVENTION AND EDUCATION
The Valdese Fire Department provides a variety of services to its
citizens and business owners. Services rendered include:
INSPECTIONS
Each year every business within the city limits of Valdese is inspected
for fire hazards and compliance with the fire code. The fire code is a set
of laws and regulations set forth by the North Carolina Building Code
Council that addresses conditions hazardous to life and property from fire
explosion, hazardous materials storage, handling or use, and the use and
occupancy of buildings and premises.
All buildings are inspected with the exception of one and two family
dwellings.
Inspections are free of charge unless fire code violations are not met
within a designated period of time. Citations can and will be issued for
non-compliance in accordance the Town of Valdese Fire Prevention and
Protection Ordinance.
New businesses need to contact the fire department prior to opening up for a new business inspection and general information.
FIRE PREVENTION
Fire Prevention Week has been observed since the early 1900’s
remembering the “Great Chicago Fire” that occurred on October 8th, 1871
and ended October 9th. This tragic disaster killed more than 250 people,
left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 homes, and burned more
than 2,000 acres. National Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the
Sunday – through – Saturday period in which October 9th falls. Fire
Prevention Week 2002 is October 6th – 12th.
During Fire Prevention Week personnel from the Fire Department go to
local daycares and schools to educate kids on fire safety and let them
meet the world renowned “Sparky”.
At other times during the year groups of all ages come to the fire
station for tours. Kids and adults alike get to see, behind the scenes,
how our department works and what we do. These groups range from pre-schoolers
to Boy Scout troops to senior citizens.
If you would like to schedule a tour for your group or organization
give us a call Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm.
SMOKE DETECTOR
PROGRAM
Over 6,000 deaths occur each year as a result of house fires. Most
people die from breathing in the smoke and toxic gases rather than the
fire itself.
Many of these deaths were preventable. Protect you and your family by:
- Purchase one or more smoke detectors for your home.
- Install your detectors properly.
- Identify fire escape routes and have fire drills on a regular basis.
- Maintain your smoke detectors.
In 1998, the Valdese Fire Department established the smoke
detector program. This program was started to insure that every household had at
least one working smoke detector in their home. If a house does not have a smoke
detector the Fire Department installs one free of charge. If one is present and
another detector is needed or requested the owner has the option to purchase one
from the department for fifteen dollars. We install batteries in detectors that
need them free of charge. We also check to
make sure that every home has street numbers properly posted on the front. If no numbers
are present, we install them with the permission from the owner, again, free of
charge. This is our way of looking out for the safety of our citizens. If a detector is needed, a battery needs to be
replaced, or you need assistance in installing a detector, call the Fire
Department and we will be more than happy to assist you with these services.
Daylight Savings Time ends the first Sunday of November at 2:00 a.m. The Valdese Fire
Department reminds you change your batteries in your smoke detectors when
you change your clocks.
HYDRANT MAINTENANCE
Every year Valdese Fire Department performs annual maintenance on all 400+ fire hydrants in the Valdese Water System. This service insures that
each hydrant has an adequate water supply and will, in times of emergency,
function correctly. It normally takes four to six weeks, weather pending,
to complete the task. The fire department will announce when the service
will start via newspaper and radio broadcast. During this testing you may
experience some discoloration in your water. If so, turn on an outside
water spigot or inside faucet and let it run for several minutes. This
should take care of your problem.
KITCHEN SAFETY
Unattended cooking continues to be one of the leading causes of fires
throughout the country. Every year more and more people are injured or
killed in fires in the home. Here are a few tips to keep you from becoming
a statistic.
If you are cooking with oil or grease and it ignites, DO NOT throw
water on the fire and DO NOT attempt to remove the pan.
- Put a lid on the pot or pan to smother the fire.
- Turn the burner off if it can be reached easily.
- If an ABC fire extinguisher is within reach and you know how to use
it, use it to extinguish the fire.
- Keep from wearing loose clothing while cooking. Your clothes may
catch fire.
- Remember to keep pot handles turned in to prevent small children
from turning over hot water or grease on them.
- Keep the area around your stove clean and uncluttered. This keeps
combustibles (dish rags, etc) from getting too close to a burner and
catching on fire.
- If you leave the kitchen while cooking, turn the stove off or take a
utensil or timer with you to remind you that you have something on the
stove.
- If you have a microwave never put metal pots, bowls, or utensils
inside. These items cause sparks and could result in a fire.
- Create a “Kid Free Zone” around your stove. This is a three-foot
area around your stove where kids are not allowed thus lowering risk of
injury.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
On average there are over 38,000 residential home fires each year
associated with wiring, outlets, extension cords, breaker boxes, and other
equipment involved in distributing electricity around the home. Of these
fires approximately 350 people are killed and over 1,300 are injured. Keep
your homes safe by following these simple tips.
- Replace any appliance or electrical device with a loose or damaged
cord.
- Avoid running extension cords over doorways and under carpets.
- In homes with small children, plug outlets should have plastic
safety covers.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for plugging an appliance
into a plug outlet. Most outlets have only two plugs. As an added
precaution consider plugging only one high wattage appliance into a
single outlet.
- In the kitchen, push back cords for counter top appliances to keep
young children or pets from pulling them off the counter.
- Place lamps on level surfaces and away from anything that will burn.
- Use bulbs that match the lamps recommended wattage.
HEATING SAFETY
Heating fires are the second leading cause of residential home fires.
During the months of December, January, February heating is the leading
cause of home fires. Most of these fires involve space heaters not central
furnaces. Space heaters installed too close to combustibles (curtains,
furniture, etc.) are major causes of space heater fires.
- Space heaters need space. Heaters should be at least three feet away
from walls, curtains, and anything that will burn, including people and
pets.
- Have chimneys and heating systems checked at least once year and
cleaned, if needed, by trained professionals. (Fires in wood burning
heating equipment are often caused by the build up of creosote, a
deposit of unburned fuel.)
- Always use the proper fuel for your heater. Example; never use
gasoline as a fuel in a heater designed for kerosene or oil.
- Portable space heaters should be turned off every time you leave the
room or go to sleep.
- Have a sturdy screen on your fireplace. A metal screen or built-in
glass doors will keep sparks from flying into the room or on the carpet
resulting in a fire.
If you have any questions about the information above or have a
question of your own call the Valdese Fire Department and speak with a
fire professional.
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