PREVENTION & EDUCATION
FIRE SAFETY
In an Emergency
Call 911
When you call, stay calm and be prepared to provide:
- Your name, address, and phone number.
- The nature of the problem (e.g., “house fire,” “car accident”).
- Any specific details that could affect the safety of responders (e.g., “person trapped,” “downed power lines”).
Do not hang up until the dispatcher tells you to.
Home Fire Safety Essentials
70%
Seventy percent of fire deaths occur in homes with inoperable or no smoke alarms. Follow these essential guidelines to protect your family.
Install and Maintain Smoke Alarms
- Place a smoke alarm on every level of your home, inside each sleeping area, and outside each separate sleeping area.
- For the best protection, use interconnected alarms so that when one sounds, they all sound.
- Test all alarms monthly by pressing the test button.
- Change the batteries twice a year, such as when you change your clocks for Daylight Saving Time.
Develop and Practice a Home Fire Escape Plan
- Draw a map of your home and plan at least two ways out of every room.
- Choose an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home (e.g., a neighbor’s house or a specific tree).
- Practice your home fire drill with everyone in the household at least twice a year.
- If there is a fire, get out and stay out. Call 911 from a safe location outside.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Install carbon monoxide (CO) alarms on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas.
Change the batteries when you change your smoke alarm batteries.
Fire Extinguishers
- Mount multi-purpose (ABC) fire extinguishers in key areas like the kitchen and garage.
- Learn the P.A.S.S. method for use: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the trigger, and Sweep the nozzle.
- Do not attempt to fight a large or spreading fire; get out immediately.
Everyday
Fire Prevention
Cooking Safety
- Stay in the kitchen while cooking; unattended cooking is a leading cause of home fires.
- Keep flammable items like oven mitts, towels, and food packaging away from the stovetop.
Heating Equipment
- Keep all heat sources (space heaters, fireplaces, etc.) at least three feet away from anything that can burn.
- Ensure all heating equipment is properly maintained and inspected annually.
Electrical Safety
- Avoid overloading electrical outlets and extension cords.
- Unplug heat-producing appliances (irons, hair dryers, etc.) when not in use and store them only after they have cooled down.
Candles and Smoking
- Never leave burning candles unattended. Consider using battery-operated LED candles.
- If you smoke, do so outside, and completely douse cigarette butts with water before discarding them.
Clothes Dryers
- Clean the lint filter after every use to prevent fire hazards.
Outdoor Burning in Orleans County
Open burning in New York State is prohibited with several exceptions, and specific local laws apply within the Village/Town of Albion.
Allowed Fires
- Small campfires or cooking fires less than 3 feet high and 4 feet wide are generally allowed, provided only dry, clean, untreated wood or charcoal is burned.
Prohibited Materials
- Burning trash, leaves, plastic, or treated wood is illegal.
Burn Ban
- To find burn ban info for Orleans County, NY, check the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office/Emergency Management website or social media for local alerts, the NYSDEC website for seasonal/statewide bans as they depend on dry conditions and wind. See links below in the community resources section.
Safety First
- Never leave an outdoor fire unattended and always have water or a fire extinguisher nearby.
For specific questions regarding local burning ordinances or permits, please contact the Albion Code Enforcement Official or Fire Marshal’s office.
Community Resources
- Orleans County Emergency Management Office: Provides county-wide emergency planning and coordination.
- NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES): Offers extensive fire safety checklists and information on home fire protection devices.
- NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC): Provides information on open burning regulations and fire danger maps for New York State residents.
- American Red Cross
For more information, feel free to contact the Albion Joint Fire Department directly at 585-589-4223.