East Herkimer Fire Dept.

The East Herkimer Fire Department, MOVAC and state police responded to a car versus house on the corner of Main Road and Willard Street on December 27, 2015.

Photo: Exceed Images

If you’re like many Americans, you’re starting off the New Year with a resolution to improve your health. As you work towards your resolution, consider one additional step to maintain your health: fire prevention. Most people say they feel safest at home but data shows 83% of all fire deaths in the U.S. happen in homes.  Follow these tips to ring in fire safety this New Year:

• Make sure your home is protected by working smoke alarms. Half of all home fire deaths happen at night, when people are sleeping.
• Test your smoke alarms once a month, and replace your smoke alarms when they’re 10 years old.
• Cooking is the main cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Make safety your first ingredient; stay in the kitchen when you are cooking at high temperatures. Fires start when the heat gets too high. If you see any smoke or grease starts to boil, turn the burner off.
• If you have children living in your home or visiting look for fire and burn dangers from their point of view. Never leave lighters or matches where children can reach them.

Source: U.S. Fire Administration

• One of every three home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems.
• Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are more likely to be serious. On average, one of every 31 reported home structure Christmas tree fires results in a death compared to an average of one death per 144 total reported home structure fires.
• A heat source too close to the tree causes roughly one in every four of Christmas tree fires.
• More than half (56 percent) of home candle fires occur when something that can catch on fire is too close to the candle.
• December is the peak time of year for home candle fires.

Source: National Fire Protection Association

Links from the U.S. Fire Administration:

Watch this short video to learn how you can prevent fires in your home this holiday season.

Watch what happens when fire touches a dry tree & a well-watered tree.

Santa stopped by the East Herkimer Volunteer Fire Department on December 12, 2015 before heading back to the North Pole.  EHVFD Ladies Auxiliary provided crafts, games, cookie decorating and hot chocolate.

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Two firefighter recruits from EHFD completed Firefighter1/BEFO curriculum held at Frankfort-Center Fire Department on 12/12/15.  Also in attendance were firefighters from Frankfort Center, Frankfort, Frankfort Hill, Cedarville, Schuyler and Remsen.  State Fire Instructors were Dave Dye and Brian Reile.