The Linglestown Fire Company takes great pride in providing public education to our citizens about Fire Safety. The Month of October is known as Fire Safety and Education Month. During this time of year, we like to visit our Local Schools, Day Cares, and Churches to talk about fire safety. We also encourage visitors to stop by our Firehouse for a tour of our station and our apparatus. October is not the only time we like to perform Fire Safety Programs. The Linglestown Fire Company strives to perform these functions year around. We also like to make guest appearances at local block parties, picnics, and various other community gatherings. If you are interested in inviting us to your neighborhood or an event, please contact our station at (717)545-6801, or Email Assistant Chief Dan Crum at the link provided on the members page. Or by clicking on the name just provided.

Fire Safety begins at your home. There are various items around the house that can cause a potential hazard. Fire can happen at any home at any given time. To better help prepare and reduce the risks of a hazard in your home, we suggest a few of the following safety tips.

  • Install Smoke Detectors. Most fires strike at night while people are asleep. The first line of defense against a fire is a smoke detector. Having a smoke detector will alert you to a fire quickly and allow more time for all occupants to escape safely. Smoke detectors should be installed on the ceilings. Smoke rises and it will be detected faster at ceiling level. If it is not possible to install a smoke detector on a ceiling, the next best place is on a wall as high as you can put it. Use caution though when installing a smoke detector on the ceiling. You don’t want to install a smoke detector near air vents, air conditioners, and fans. Air flow from these systems may cause dirt, debris, and other particles to clog your smoke detector causing it to malfunction or not function at all. It may also push smoke away from the detector causing a delay in activation as well. Also avoid placing a smoke detector over a stove or grill. Steam or smoke from cooking may also inadvertently set off your smoke detector. The best place for a smoke detector to be installed is outside of a bedroom in the hallway. However, make sure that the smoke detector can be heard through a closed bedroom door when activated.

  • Maintain your smoke detectors. Testing the smoke detector monthly is recommended. Make sure that all family members know what the smoke detector sounds like when it is activated. By testing the smoke detector monthly, you are also testing the battery of the smoke detector to make sure it still works. It is recommended that you change the batteries of your smoke detector twice a year. Have an escape plan in case of a fire. Review all possible exits from your home. Have a plan in place for everyone to exit the house safely. Remember to never go through a door that feels hot. Have a meeting place established for all family members to meet at. When exiting the house ensure that everyone knows to go to the established meeting place so that a head count can be performed of all family members and their guests. Upon arrival of the fire department, notify them that everyone is accounted for or if someone is still missing and where there possible location may be. Some recommendations for a meeting place are across the street from your house, a neighbor’s porch, a tree in the neighbor’s yard, at a mailbox across the street, and a neighbor’s driveway.

  • Kids and Fire Safety. Children are naturally curious about fire. It is a safe practice and recommended that we keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children. This will prevent them from playing with lighters and matches. Keep gas cans and other flammable liquids in a safe storage area with a lock. Keep children away from hot surfaces such as a stove, oven door, irons, coffee pots, fireplaces, and space heaters. Never leave these items unattended. Discard all smoking material properly and ensure it is also out of the reach of children. Teach your children how to stop, drop, cover their face, and roll in case their clothes catch on fire. Also teach them how to dial 911 in case of an emergency. Teach children what their address and phone number are. This is important information for the emergency dispatchers to know when dialing 911 for an emergency.

  • Cooking safely. Have a fire extinguisher located near your stove. The best type of fire extinguisher is an ABC type for extinguishing all types of fires. Never pour water on a grease fire, simply turn off the stove and cover the pan with a lid or shut the oven door. Keep pot handles pointed to the back of the stove. This will avoid children grabbing the pot and pulling down onto them. Don’t place items on the stove top for storage. Make sure every effort is put forward into cleaning all kitchen appliances including exhaust hoods and the ducts over the stove regularly. Wipe up spilled grease as soon as the surface has cooled. Never leave food unattended while cooking.


















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