Detroit Lakes Fire Department Reminding Residents to Remove Snow from All Access Points of their Homes

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – The Detroit Lakes Fire Department is reminding residents to clear snow from all access points of their home.

Detroit Lakes Fire Chief Ryan Swanson says when a fire breaks out, firefighters won’t always use the front door, “We are not always going to use the front door, we’ll enter from the safest point possible and work across the structure…If backdoors and sidewalks aren’t shoveled out, it just adds more time.”

Egress windows are another area that should be cleared of snow as well as fresh air intake and exhaust pipes from around the home.

A blocked intake pipe or exhaust vent could result in carbon monoxide poisoning. The same is true for dryer vents.

Swanson also reminds residents to be proactive about clearing snow from neighborhood fire hydrants. “Go shovel that fire hydrant out, if there is a fire on that block we have to find that fire hydrant and shovel it out.”

Snow removal in key areas around your home and property will save the Fire Department valuable time and potentially lives.