From the Golf Manor Fire Department (10/1/2016):  October is set aside each year as a time to raise fire prevention awareness. Every year in the United States thousands of lives are lost needlessly to preventable fires. Our goal is to encourage you to make your home a safer place to live by identifying fire hazards and taking time to correct them.

The GMFD encourages residents to actively prepare for emergencies at home, be they weather, fire or health related. Prevention literature is available at the firehouse and you should feel free to ask questions, or ask to have any problem areas in your home inspected. Basic fire survival preparedness should include:

• A working fire alarm on each floor of your residence. Remember to test your alarms regularly. The Fall time change is a good time to change alarm batteries.
• LANDLORDS – Ohio law requires smoke alarms!
• Make an escape plan to get out of your home or apartment in the event of a fire. Discuss this plan with all family members. Decide on a meeting place well away from the home and out of the way of safety vehicles. This helps fire personnel determine whether everyone is out of the building.
• Invest in an escape ladder for second floor bedrooms and apartments. Chain ladders are available at hardware stores and store easily under a bed.
• Keep water heaters and furnaces well clear from debris, storage, and especially flammable solvents.