Theodore Dawes Fire Rescue

If you lose power and use a portable generator, remember:

⚠️ Always run generators outside, with the exhaust aiming away from windows & doors, at least 20 feet away from your home.
⚠️ Never run a generator indoors or in a garage — even with the door open.
⚠️ One portable generator can produce as much carbon monoxide as hundreds of cars.
⚠️ Make sure home has a carbon monoxide detector.

Carbon monoxide deaths spike during power outages. Protect your family by using generators safely.

Stay prepared. Stay safe.

HURRICANE PREPARATION — DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE! 🌀⚠️

Friday morning, October 9, should be your deadline for having storm preparations completed. Time is one thing we can’t get back, so use today wisely.

We’ve been through hurricanes before, and while this storm may not be the worst we’ve experienced, that doesn’t mean we should take it lightly. Sometimes it’s the smaller things we overlook that end up making the biggest difference afterward.

Here are a few reminders and tips that go beyond the usual advice of buying water and batteries.

1. Get your laundry done. Sounds simple, but having clean, dry clothes when you’ve been without power for several days makes a difference. Don’t wait until the power goes out.

2. Stock up on paper towels, trash bags, and plastic bags. During a hurricane, everything seems to get wet. You’ll be surprised how quickly you go through these things.

3. Protect your important documents. Put birth certificates, insurance paperwork, identification, and other important documents in waterproof bags. Take pictures or save digital copies on your phone and in cloud storage.

4. Have plenty of water and easy-to-eat food. Don’t just think about meals. Have snacks and things that don’t require refrigeration or cooking. Plan for several days without electricity.

5. Check on medications NOW. Make sure you and your family have enough prescription medications, especially those who depend on daily medications or medical equipment. Check on elderly family members and neighbors.

6. Charge EVERYTHING. Phones, tablets, flashlights, rechargeable batteries, and especially portable power banks. They won’t do you any good sitting in a drawer with a dead battery.

7. Make your decision about staying or leaving NOW. If you live in an area prone to flooding or storm surge, don’t wait until conditions deteriorate to decide what you’re going to do. Know your evacuation routes and follow local emergency management instructions.

8. Take pictures of your property. Walk through your house, garage, and around your vehicles with your phone camera. If you have damage, having documentation of what you owned and its condition beforehand can make dealing with insurance much easier.

9. Know what’s around you. Look at the trees near your house, loose items in your yard, drainage problems, and areas that typically flood. A little preparation now could prevent a much bigger problem later.

10. Have a way to receive weather warnings. Hurricanes can produce tornadoes, sometimes with very little warning. Make sure emergency alerts are enabled on your phone and have another way to receive warnings if cellular service goes down.

11. Download some entertainment. Movies, books, games, whatever works for your family. If the internet goes down, you may be looking for something to do.

12. Talk to your kids. Explain what’s happening and what they can expect. Storms can be frightening, especially when the lights go out and the wind starts howling. Having a plan and talking about it beforehand can help ease some of that anxiety.

13. Think about your refrigerator and freezer. Use up perishable food when possible. Freeze water bottles to help keep things cold longer, and have a cooler available. Once the power goes out, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.

14. Clean your gutters. They’re not going to help much if they’re packed full of leaves and debris.

15. Secure everything outside. Lawn furniture, garbage cans, decorations, grills, and anything else that could become airborne. Don’t forget trampolines and basketball goals. If it can move, secure it or bring it inside.

16. Check drainage around your property. Clear leaves and debris from drainage areas and storm drains where you can safely do so. Don’t enter roadways or attempt to clear drains during flooding.

17. Don’t forget your pets. Have food, water, medications, and a safe place for them. If you evacuate, they need to be part of that plan.

18. Be smart with generators. If you’re planning to use one, make sure it’s operational and you have fuel. NEVER operate a generator inside your house, garage, or near doors, windows, or vents. Keep it at least 20 feet away from the house, with the exhaust directed away. Carbon monoxide kills, and we see preventable tragedies after storms because of improper generator use.

19. Stay sober and alert. I know some people like to turn hurricane parties into an event, but remember that things can change quickly. You may need to move, help a family member, or respond to an emergency. You need to be able to think clearly and make good decisions.

20. Check on your neighbors. Especially elderly residents, those living alone, and anyone who may need assistance. Make sure they have a plan and the supplies they need.

21. And finally, USE COMMON SENSE. Don’t drive through flooded roads, don’t go sightseeing during the storm, don’t approach downed power lines, and please don’t put yourself or emergency responders in unnecessary danger.

One more thing to emphasize: PREPARE FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING ON YOUR OWN FOR A FEW DAYS.

That doesn’t mean emergency services won’t be available. It means that during severe weather, conditions may prevent fire trucks, ambulances, law enforcement, and utility crews from reaching you immediately. There may also be periods when responding is simply too dangerous.

The time to prepare is BEFORE the storm, not when the wind starts blowing.

We’ve been through hurricanes before, and we’ll get through the next one too. But preparation, good decisions, and looking out for one another will make all the difference.

Stay safe, stay informed, and take care of each other.

— Theodore Dawes Fire Rescue

A huge thank you to TierOne Media for helping us spread important fire safety messages across our community this Fire Prevention Week.

DON’T WAIT. CHECK TODAY. SMOKE ALARMS SAVE LIVES.

🔥 Nearly 3 out of 5 home fire deaths occur in homes where smoke alarms were either not present or failed to operate.

Need a smoke alarm installed? Contact us or your local fire department, we’re happy to help!

Thank you, TierOne Media, for helping us keep fire safety front and center in our community!

🌀 TROPICAL WEATHER UPDATE — KEEP AN EYE ON THE GULF

The National Weather Service is monitoring an area of low pressure in the southwestern Gulf with a 70% chance of tropical development within 48 hours and an 80% chance over the next 7 days.

It’s still too early to know the exact track or impacts, but heavy rainfall, high surf, and dangerous rip currents are possible along the northern Gulf Coast.

No need to panic — just stay weather aware and prepared. Now is a good time to check your hurricane supplies and make sure your family has a plan.

TDFR will continue monitoring the system and share important updates as they become available.

Stay prepared. Stay informed. Stay safe.

Tropical Outlook: an area of low pressure in the southwestern Gulf has a 70% chance of developing into a tropical depression within the next 48 hours, and an 80% chance of development over the next 7 days. This system is expected to drift east-northeastward over the next couple of days, then turn northward. While it's too early to determine the specific impacts this system could bring to the northern Gulf coast, at this point there is an increased risk for high surf and rip currents along with heavy rainfall for our area.

Cheap charger? Don't chance it.
Use the cord and charger that came with your device or one approved by the manufacturer.

🚙 That cord in your vehicle that's on it's last leg... replace it!

September's call volume numbers for Theodore Dawes Fire Rescue are in.

Last month, TDFR responded to 411 total calls. They were:
Fires - 25
EMS - 366
Hazardous Condition - 1
Service Call - 6
Good Intent - 2
False Alarms - 11

Fire calls break down as follows;
Structure Fires - 3
Mobile Home Fires - 2
Vehicle Fires - 5
Brush/Grass Fires - 4
Trash Fires - 11

As always, Theodore Dawes Fire Rescue is honored to serve the members of our community.

PUBLIC NOTICE
The Theodore Dawes Fire Rescue board of directors will have a special meeting tomorrow
9/30 @ 4:00 PM