When winter arrives, fire protection is the last thing on most folks’ minds. There are so many things that we don’t initially think about when the typical fire season is done. Look around your property in the winter and see if you can answer these questions:

1. Can an emergency vehicle see your E911 sign and make it safely to your home?
2. Is there ample room for them to turn around when they reach your home?
3. With the high winds in November, did you clear downed trees on your property close to your home, power lines, or propane tanks?
4. Is your driveway plowed regularly during the winter?
5. If you are away, is there a neighbor or close friend who knows how to contact you in case something happens on your property?
6. If you have a sprinkler system on your property, did you winterize your system?

If you can answer yes to all the above questions, you are in moving in the right direction to protecting your property and yourself in case of an emergency. It is important to remember that when an emergency vehicle responds to an emergency, if conditions are not safe for them to make it down your driveway or private road without putting themselves at risk, it could cause a delay in their response time, turning a routine response into a tragedy.

If you answered no to any of the questions, here are some suggestions:

1. Make sure your E911 sign is visible at all times, especially after roads or driveways are snowplowed. If you are not here during the winter, talk with a friend or neighbor and see if they can make sure your sign is visible for emergency vehicles.
2. Emergency vehicles are very large pieces of equipment. Driveways under 150 feet long should be plowed a minimum of 12 feet wide and 20 feet wide for driveways or roads longer than 150 feet. Trim and prune trees at least 13.5 feet high to allow clearance for emergency vehicles. If you do not have a turnaround driveway, try to have an area plowed so that an emergency vehicle can back in and turn to get out safely. If they have to back up out of your driveway or road, again, it will delay them or put them more at risk in an emergency situation.
3. If you are unable to clear downed trees, ask a friend or neighbor if they know of someone who could do it for you. You may be able to find someone who could use the wood themselves and may come and clear it for free.
4. If you are gone for the winter, remember to have your driveway plowed and cleared for emergency vehicles. A fire may not necessarily occur on your property, but emergency vehicles may need to use your driveway for access to another fire or emergency situation.
5. Make sure you leave contact information with a friend or neighbor when you are away in case an emergency situation should occur on your property. Have someone check your property periodically to make certain everything is okay.
6. Sprinkler systems should be winterized to ensure that they will work properly and not need major repairs in the spring. If you are unsure how to winterize your system, contact your local fire department, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, or the US Forest Service for more information.

Note: Cook County Firewise is a community-based program providing home and property owners with educational materials to assist you in protecting your property from wildland fires. For a free property inspection and more information, contact Cheryl Walimaa, Firewise Administrative Assistant, at 218-387-3642, or email at firewise@co.cook.mn.us.