The London Fire Department is calling on residents to protect themselves and their neighbours from harm by clearing snow from area fire hydrants and home vents.
Most residents have been quick to shovel their driveway after all the snow we’ve received this week, but fire officials say many are forgetting to clear the snow from around fire hydrants on or near their property.
“We’ve been noticing that our fire hydrants that are normally very, very visible, brightly coloured and all, are hiding from us at times,” says London Fire Department Public Educator Rick Jefferson.
“We’re encouraging people that if it’s on their property, or nearby, to shovel them out.”
Residents who are aware of a buried hydrant, but can’t clear it themselves can call the fire department’s non-emergency line at 519-661-4565, and they come to clear it.
Heavy snow can also block vents for furnaces, gas fireplaces, and other fuel burning appliances. If those appliances are unable to properly vent, carbon monoxide gas can build up inside the home.
“We actually had a call this week where we went into a home based on a natural gas report, something smelled like it was buring in the unit,” says Jefferson.
“We found the people outside, we went in with air on, with our tanks on, and using our instruments we found that there was carbon monoxide in the house. The firefighters then cleared off the vents and ventilated the house and didn’t leave until those levels were down to zero.”
Jefferson is urging residents to keep their vents clear of snow, and make sure their carbon monoxide alarms are in working order.
Source: London Fire Department Urges Homeowners To Clear Hydrants and Vents | (CFPL AM) AM 980
