Comox Fire Rescue provides a variety of preventive and emergency services to a population of over 18,000 in an area of 16 square miles. This includes the Town of Comox, the Comox Fire Protection Improvement District, the Bates Huband Local Service Area (Regional District of Comox-Strathcona), and the Comox Indian Band. They also operate the Comox Fire Training Centre, which trains firefighters from all over Vancouver Island, and even parts of BC and the rest of Canada. The training centre is certified by the JIBC.
Clothes dryers are among the most common type of equipment involved in home fires, ranking third behind stoves and heaters. Every year dryer fires cause considerable damages, injuries and deaths in North America.
While lack of maintenance is the leading causes of dryer fires others are causes by faulty wiring, part failure or combustible stored to close to the dryer. To help avoid such fires the Comox Fire Department offers the following suggestions:
Clean the lint filter after each use and wipe away any lint that may have accumulated around the drum.
Do not run the dryer without a lint filter. This allows lint to accumulate around the drum and motor areas.
Ensure that the dryer is plugged into a suitable electrical outlet.
Do not leave your dryer running if you go out. It could malfunction and require your attention.
Make sure that the air exhaust vent pipe is unobstructed and the outside flaps open. Clean the entire pipe regularly and do not block the flaps.
Keep combustibles, such as boxes and other clothing well away.
Gas fueled dryers should be inspected periodically by a professional to make sure the gas line and connections are intact and leak-free.
Only use the dryer for its intended purpose and according to the manufacture instructions.
Avoid continuous use of your dryer. Give it a rest period between loads.
Comox Fire Chief Gord Schreiner says: “A dryer fire can really ruin your day so please take these steps to reduce the chance of your dryer causing a serious problem in your home”. For more information regarding dryer safety or any other fire safety issues please contact your local fire department.
They might look nice in a photo, but candles are a serious fire hazard and should NEVER be used to decorate a tree.
Comox Fire Chief Gord Schreiner reminds us that most fires can be prevented and this is no different at Christmas time. He recommends that you follow these important fire safety tips:
Decorate with flame-retardant or non-combustible materials
Don’t leave candles burning unattended or within the reach of children
Ensure that candles are located well away from any combustible materials and never use candles to decorate a Christmas tree.
Christmas wrapping and decorations can be highly combustible and should be kept away from heat sources.
Recycle gift-wrap and boxes where appropriate, do not burn them in the fireplace they may cause a chimney fire.
Use only approved Christmas lights.
Do not overload electrical circuits or extension cords.
Always turn Christmas lights off before leaving home or going to sleep.
Christmas trees only take seconds to become fully engulfed in flames.
Chief Schreiner also urges all residents to practice fire safety in the kitchen during the festive season. “Do not leave cooking food unattended and if you are faced with a grease fire, put a lid on it! Remember, always turn pot handles to the back of the stove when cooking, to avoid pots being pulled or knocked off”.
Put a lid on it!
The importance of early warning in the event of a fire should not be gotten. This holiday season, give a gift that saves lives-give someone you love a smoke alarm. Also ensure that your friends and family are protected year round with working smoke alarms in their homes.
In the case of an emergency - such as a fire, a serious medical issue, or a policing issue - a difference in a few minutes can mean the difference between life and death. Our fire fighters are equipped with many tools and skills to help you; however, we need to be able to find you first.
Could you read this on a rainy night?
Of course, if you are calling us for a big fire we will be able to spot the smoke. In the case of a smaller fire, a medical issue, or other emergencies, we need to be able to see your house numbers.
The harder it is for us to find your house numbers, the longer it may take us or other emergency personnel (ambulance and police) to arrive at your door. Often numbers that were once very visible have faded or have vegetation growing over them. In some cases numbers have been removed and not replaced.
VERY visible house numbers!
Comox Fire Chief Gord Schreiner recommends that you check your own house numbers from the street on a dark raining night to see how visible they are. He recommends highly visible house numbers at least 3” in height and prefers reflective numbers.
Visible in daylight and reflective at night - perfect!
Reflective numbers are available at various retailers. For more information you may also contact our fire department at 250-339-2432.
A big "thank you!" to everyone who came out to show their appreciation for our past and current Armed Forces members. It was a beautiful day for the special ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the start of WW1.
Join us on Tuesday, November 11th to commemorate current and past members of the Canadian Armed Forces in downtown Comox near the cenotaph. Ceremony starts at 10:30, bring your family and show your support!
