Everyday Heroes--Salute to Firefighters and EMS Workers

Meet the Emergency People who make a difference in our communities

EVERYDAY

HEROES

Perham New York Mills Ottertail

SALUTE TO FIREFIGHTERS AND EMS WORKERS

Vergas Dent Frazee

A S upplement

to the

O ctober 16 C ontact ,

a publication of the

P erham F ocus

EVERYDAY HEROES

Page 2

Fire P revention 2016

PERHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT

General Contracting Work Free Estimates

Fully Insured

Residential and Commercial

Lic. #BC004444

Huber Electric

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C-Stores Perham Oasis (218) 346-7810 Ottertail Oasis (218) 367-3626 Dent Oasis (218) 758-3300 Menahga (218) 564-5264 Park Rapids (218) 237-2667 Akeley 218-652-2665

Perham (218) 346-6240 Fax (218) 346-6241 Administrative Office: P.O. Box 247 Perham, Minnesota 56573

Feed Perham (218) 346-7075 Menahga (218) 564-4421 Toll Free 800-935-8951

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Bulk, LP, Gas & Diesel Perham (218) 346-3500 Toll Free 866-346-5601

Locker Div. (218) 346-6245 Fertilizer Div. (218) 346-2355 Milk Div. (218) 346-6240 Battle Lake Coop (218) 864-5574 Vergas Country Store (218) 342-2441 Wolf Lake Coop (218) 538-6660 Menahga Farm (218) 564-4453

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Beauty for every room.

Wallpaper & Borders, Ceramic Tile & Armstrong Linoleum, Shawmark Carpet & Mohawk Carpet

24/7 Rollback & Wrecker Service Roadside Service

43448 Co Hwy 123 Perham, MN 56573

Let our fine design staff create a new look for you!

Allen Willprecht (218) 346-4713 Cell (218) 640-1321

145 Second Ave. SE Perham • 218-346-2924

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FOR ALL YOUR GARBAGE AND DEMOLITION NEEDS

COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL GARBAGE & ROLL OFF SERVICE 140 6th Avenue NE, Perham, MN 56573 Phone: (218) 346-4834 Fax (218) 346-4799

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745 2ND ST NE PERHAM

Serving the Entire Lakes Area Since 1992

Over 55 years of serving the community!

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Allen’s Auto Body & Towing 001490187r1

www.aqualawn.net

PERHAM, MN • 346-4760

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Perham MN

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• Lawn Sprinklers • Start Ups • Sales and Service • Professional Design and Installation • Complete Line of Inventory • Installation of Skeet-R-Gone/Fertigation Systems • Commercial & Residential • FREE ESTIMATES ~ Lic #TS01383

346-3890

• 346-7062 • Perham, MN

BRETZ HARDWARE

43922 Mosquito Heights Rd Perham, MN 56573

346-3916

New & Remodeling Construction

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BACK LEFT TO RIGHT: Jeremie Schossow, Vance Bachmann, Jon Lehmann, Keith Friedsam, Keaton Krueger, Matt Johnson, Dustin Vickmark, Tracy Schmidt, John Kostynick, Tony Andreen, Matt Hendrickx, Kelly Melgard, Steve Felt and Mark Schmidt.

FRONT LEFT TO RIGHT: Clayton Trautman, Tyler Kinlund, Justin Aldrich, Nathan Rooney, Chris Sim, Laura Nyhus, Mike Jones, Mark Ebeling, Tim Meehl, Don Foltz, Larry Peckrul, Missy McCleary and Tom Tweeton.

NOT IN PICTURE: Jon Ebeling, Duane Alstadt and Craig Stokee.

Box 185, 650 3rd Avenue Southeast, Ste 10, Perham, MN Phone: 218-346-4505 • Fax: 218-346-4507 Anthony J. Stoll, AIA, Principal Architect

615 Pinewood Lane Perham, MN 56573 218-346-5560

Call JC Electric for all your wiring needs 001335059r1

Serving the community for over 40 years.

EVERYDAY HEROES

Fire P revention 2016

Page 3

PERHAM EMS

MARK EBELING

NICK ADKINS

TONY ANDREEN

NICK BEIER

MARK BOLLAND

KAYLA DAVIDSON EMT

EMS Director

Community Paramedic

Training Coordinator

STEVE FELT

AMANDA FRANKS

MAGGIE FRESONKE

TIM FRESONKE

THERESA HARTHUN

BECCA HUEBSCH

ABBY KALINA

KYLE KNUTSON

Paramedic

EMT

EMT

EMT

EMT

EMT

EMT

Paramedic

EMT

DENNY EHRICHS

Paramedic

BARB FELT

EMT

EMT

FIRE PREVENTION SMARTS At least 80 percent of all fire deaths occur in home fires. Here are some smart Fire Prevention Week tips for protecting yourself and your family:

& SERVICE CENTER 218.346.7557 • TOLL FREE: 877.346.7557 105 Jake Street SE, Perham, MN 56573 napaofperham@arvig.net

• Never leave candles burning unattended, and keep matches out of reach from children.

• Keep space heaters away from curtains and other flammable materials.

• Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home and outside each bedroom, and test batteries monthly.

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COUNTYWIDE PLUMBING SERVICE

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PHIL’S PLUMBING SPECIALIZING IN NEW HOME PLUMBING REPAIRS • REMODELING WATER SOFTENERS & A COMPLETE LINE OF FIXTURES 218-346-5977 License #060339PM 46414 390TH STREET • PERHAM, MN 56573

MASTER PLUMBER LICS. & BONDED

HOURS: 6:00 A.M. - 10:00 P.M. • 7 DAYS A WEEK

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Pete Zavadil Owner

(218) 844-4437 • Toll Free: 800-955-6058 FAX: (218) 844-0358

CPA 001492195r1

Donald J. Hendrickx 218-346-5166 • 218-371-0051

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www.otpco.com • 800-257-4044

Road 218-346-7376 Thunder Perham 43589 Fort

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LICENSED BONDED INSURED 001490248r1

Ask the Experts at Esser!

EsserPlumbingandHeating.com I 218.346.3530 Aire Serv of Lakes Country: 218.346.2138

• Parts Sales • DOT Inspections • Heavy Duty Truck, Semi Tractor & Trailer Repair • Boss Snowplows • Superslide Plastic Products

Bekkerus • Schott • Helmeke ™ DeConcini • Johnson

Certified Public Accountants

www.lakescpa.com OFFICE FAX

218-346-4200 218-346-7646

ltd

160 Third Avenue SW Perham, MN 56573 1116 Hwy 59 South Detroit Lakes, MN 56501

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205 East Main, Perham • 346-2210

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PERHAM TRUCK SERVICE

EVERYDAY HEROES

Page 4

Fire P revention 2016

PERHAM EMS

EMT

HEATHER NEISEN Paramedic

DR. MARK PAULSON

Medical Director

ROBB REED

JIM RIEBER

Paramedic

CHRIS SIM

Paramedic

EMT

SHANNON SWENSON

ADAM WEDDE

EMT

EMT

Ed Winjum

PERHAM STEEL AND WELDING

411 3rd Ave. SE Perham, MN 218-346-7855

644 West Main, Perham

346-2030

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

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KEATON KRUEGER

State Farm Insurance Companies Home Offices: Bloomington, Illinois statefarm.com™

OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK IN DOWNTOWN PERHAM 346-7800

620 East Main, Perham 218-346-5555

913 Market Street, Perham • 346-2150

Open 9am-10pm

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Dale Wanderi – 218-346-5090 155 7th Avenue SW, Perham, MN

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Landmark Liquors

NFPA encourages homeowners to replace smoke alarms every 10 years The National Fire Protection Association announced “Don’t Wait: Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years” as the official theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, observed Oct. 9-15. The focus on smoke alarm replacement comes as the result of a recent survey conducted by NFPA, which showed that only a small percentage of people know how old their smoke alarms are or how often they need to be replaced.

The national fire alarm code requires smoke alarms be replaced at least every 10 years, but because the public is generally unaware of this requirement, many homes likely have smoke alarms past their expiration date, putting people at increased risk in the event of a home fire.

“Smoke alarms play an essential role in home fire safety, but they have to be working properly in order to protect people,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of NF-

that that’s the case,” said Carli. “Part of that effort is making sure you know how old the smoke alarms in your home are, and that they’re replaced every 10 years.” Carli notes that the age of a smoke alarm can be determined by looking for the date of manufacture on the back or side of the alarm, and to replace the units 10 years from that date.

PA’s Outreach and Advocacy division. “This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign represents the final year of a three-year effort to better educate the public about the importance of smoke alarms, and what it takes to make sure they’re in working order.”

According to an NFPA report, in onefifth (20 percent) of all U.S. homes with

smoke alarms, the smoke alarms aren’t working; three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without smoke alarms (38 percent) or with no working smoke alarms (21 percent).

“People tend to assume that simply having smoke alarms in their home ensures adequate protection from fires, but it takes regular testing and maintenance to ensure

About Fire Prevention Week NFPA has been the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week since 1922. According to the National Archives and Records Administration’s Library Information Center, Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record. The President of the United States has signed a proclamation declaring a national observance during that week every year since 1925. Visit www.firepreventionweek.org for more safety information.

EVERYDAY HEROES

Fire P revention 2016

Page 5

DENT FIRE DEPARTMENT

ED STOLL

PERRY COLEMAN

39 years

JJ KRATZKE 12 Years

TIM STOLL

36 years

SCOTT VanWATERMULEN

34 years

ROBERT FEMLING

9 Years Assistant Fire Chief

DON HONER 31 years

CURT SEIFERT

9 Years

BRIAN FRESONKE 28 years

ERIC RUTHER

8 Years Fire Chief

JAMES LANGLIE

7 Years

MIKE GALLMEIER

25 Years

NATHAN BONTRAGER 7 Years

13 Years

JACOB ROSENTHAL

MELISSA HARTHUN

6 Years

6 Years

NOT PICTURED: COLLIN BOKELMAN

MATT HONER

5 Years Assistant Fire Chief

JOE LANGLIE

ADAM SONNENBERG

5 Years

3 Years

5 Years

TODD HILLUKKA 2 Years

JEREMY GUCK

PRACTICE FIRE SAFETY • Fire drills should be practiced at least twice a year.

Home fires and home fire-related deaths are more likely to occur during cold-weather months, December through February.

✶✶✶

Restaurant open 5:00-10:00 p.m.

✶ FULL BAR AVAILABLE ✶

REST AURANT, BAR AND RESORT

Hwy. 78 South, Perham NEXT TO PERHAM OASIS

346-7100

Dent

758-2841

www.galaxyresort.com

FREE WIRELESS INTERNET

7 miles west of Dent on Hwy 108, 1/2 mile So. on Cty. Hwy. 41

TWO LOCATIONS PERHAM AND DENT 235 W. Main, Perham • 218-346-2907 • Mon.-Fri. 9 am-5 pm; Sat. 11 am-3 pm 201 Birch St., Dent • 218-758-6805 • Dent Community Center • Mon.-Fri.1-5 pm

General Contracting Work Fully Insured

Free Estimates

Residential and Commercial

Lic. #BC004444

New & Remodeling Construction

• 346-7062 • Perham, MN

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FAMOUS FOR OUR BROASTED CHICKEN AND LAKEVIEW DINING ON STAR LAKE

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5 Years

RICK BENKE

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JOSHUA BENKE

EVERYDAY HEROES

Page 6

Fire P revention 2016

FRAZEE FIRE DEPARTMENT

FIRST ROW (left to right): Training officer Adrian Herbst, Captain Robert Tollefson, Deputy Chief Brad Billett, Assistant Chief Paul Thon, Retired Chief Regi Uke, Captain Tony Beck, Chad Mitchell and Retired Jason Bauer. SECOND ROW: Captain Joe Nelson, Scott Geiselhart, Jeremy Mitchell, Captain Richard Gerving, Retired Abe Tappe, Nathan Matejka, Charlie Maves, Brikker Ware, Bruce Hofer, Engineer Tyler King, Terry Birkland, Jason Kroepenske, Shawn Ohman, Fire Chief Albert Doll, Paul Kasowski, David Jopp, NOT PICTURED: probationary members Bryce Moen, Jimmy Krejce and Taylor Collins.

PRACTICE FIRE SAFETY

218-334-2131 • Frazee, MN

Heath & Cindy Peterson, Owners

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Free Estimates

• Test your smoke alarms at night to see if your child will wake up and respond to the alarm. Children sleep more deeply and may not wake up. If your child does not wake up to the alarm, try an alarm where you can program your voice to alert him or her.

Seamless Gutter Systems Featuring

FRAZEE FIRE DEPARTMENT SECOND YEAR

TRAVIS GRAY (Firefighter)

products

5” and 6” Gutters

Wayne King • Cell 218-841-0232 Home 218-334-4425 • Frazee, MN 001492182r1

CHRIS BURTON (Firefighter)

SHAWNA KING (Firefighter)

Fire P revention 2016

EVERYDAY HEROES

Page 7

FRAZEE RESCUE

FIRST ROW (left to right): Josie Johnson, Taylor DeLair, Vanessa Frey, Sue Bristlin, Avis Hoehne, Michelle Strand and Terri Thunstrom. BACK ROW: Matt Johnson, Adrian Herbst, Shawn Ohman, Mark Flemmer, Tyler Trieglaff, Stacey Hunt, Rick Billet, Cory Baker and Ken Miosek. NOT PICTURED: Shawna King and Tony Burnside.

FIRE SAFETY TIP:

Frazee Event Center

✦ Large Stage & Dance Floor ✦ ✦ Seating for up to 420 ✦ ✦ Full-Service Bar ✦ ✦ Decorative Lighting ✦ ✦ Commercial Kitchen ✦

everything you need under one roof!

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The White Pine Room is Ideal for Smaller Events

218-334-3423

www.frazeecity.com 114 Lake Street N, Frazee

Jutz Excavating Service, LLC Ed Jutz

218-334-5692 • Cell: 218-841-3064

Cat Work • Backhoe • Gravel • Sewer & Water • Black Dirt 001492133r1

• Test smoke alarms every month. Replace batteries once a year, even if alarms are hardwired.

For your special event, choose the

Complete Septic Systems • Free Estimates

Certified & Licensed*

BARRY MARTHALER

RENOVATIONS LLC. • Siding & Trim • Soffit & Fascia • Roofing • Windows & Doors • Decks • Remodeling 001492170r1

Frazee, Minnesota ID # BC036009

CALL: 334-2341

FREE ESTIMATES

EVERYDAY HEROES

Page 8

Fire P revention 2016

NEW YORK MILLS FIRE DEPARTMENT

RYAN BRASEL

KYLE MATTSON

12 years Chief/Maintenance Officer

BRYCE BERNU 8 years Training Officer

REED JACOBSON

JED WALLGREN

13 years First Assistant Chief

17 years Second Assistant Chief

DARIN WELTER

BRENT STEINBACH

27 years

NIC PEDERSON

6 years Rescue Captain

19 Years

3 years Secretary

MATT GEISER

DARIN WEGSCHEID

13 Years

12 Years

MELISSA HARTHUN

NICK RODER

SHANNON KLINE

6 Years

5 years Treasurer

MATT OLSON

LOGYN SAEWERT

JORDAN USELMAN

7 Years

6 Years

8 years Safety Officer

6 Years

DID YOU KNOW… TED TULIBASKI 1 Year

TYLER WEGSCHEID 1 Year

JACOB HUNTER 1 Year

P.O. Box A New York Mills 385-3989 Verndale: 445-5153 Motley: 352-6622 318 W Gilman St, New York Mills, MN 56567 (218) 385-2235 • www.lundboats.com

OPEN 5:30 am-10:00 pm

17 E. Centennial 84 Dr, New York Mills Open 8 am-5:30 pm Mon thru Fri, Open 8 am-4 pm Sat, Open 10 am-2 pm Sun

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Complete Hardware, Plumbing & Heating Supplies & Husqvarna, Lawn & Garden

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Life Home Car Business The “No Problem People”

Bonnie Nelson, Sales Agent Sue Nelson, Sales Agent Chelsea Wegschied, Sales Agent Debbie Porkkanen, Broker 21 Main Ave. North • New York Mills

218.385.3562 Fax: 218.385.3237

office@centennial-realty.com

www.centennial-realty.com

According to the National Fire Protection Association, 92 percent of all civilian structure fire deaths in 2011, the most recent year for which statistics are available, resulted from home structure fires. Not surprisingly, kitchens are the leading area of origin for home structure fires. Forty-two percent of such fires, which peak during the dinner hours between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., began in the kitchen. And while smoke alarms may not prevent fires, they can prevent deaths stemming from home structure fires. Three out of five reported home deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or homes with smoke alarms that were not in operation.

EVERYDAY HEROES

Fire P revention 2016

Page 9

OTTERTAIL FIRE DEPARTMENT

BOTTOM (left to right): Stuart Fleischauer, Mike Sanders, Todd Bolland, Justin Gunkel, Nick Torgerson, Mary Hanson, Lisa Augustus, Brandon Menze, Ryan Hammer, Matt Thorson and Tim Lueders. TOP: Adam Wedde, Emily Guck, Marie Thorson, Joe Ahlfs and Dave Hanson. NOT PICTURED: Jason Greenwaldt, Troy Thorson, Dan Dreyer, Randy Dorow, Dwayne Augustus, Tom Ahlfs, Paige Trana, Mark Bolland, Jordan Vaughn and Collin Bokelman.

PRACTICE FIRE SAFETY • If you have hearing problems, use alarms with flashing strobe lights and vibration.

• Plan and practice two escape routes out of each room of the house. It is important to have an alternate escape route in case one is blocked by fire.

For all your Gravel and Site Work Preparation Needs

218-367-2581 001492174r1

www.ottertailaggregate.com • otagg@arvig.net

www.fnbhenning.com

Member FDIC

The Community Bank of Otter Tail County Henning, MN (218)583-2933 001492105r1

Ottertail, MN (218)367-2735

Battle Lake, MN (218)864-5275

Ottertail Cabinet Company Quality Custom Built Prefinished Cabinetry for Kitchens, Baths, China Cabinets, Gun Cabinets and more!

FOR FREE ESTIMATES CALL:

MIKE SANDERS 218-367-2224 or BRUCE JOHNSON 218-346-2331

EMAIL: occ@arvig.net

“For the Finest in Custom Cabinetry”

94 Lake Avenue, South, PO Box 35, Ottertail, MN 56571-0035

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Henning Ottertail Battle Lake

furnace installation air conditioning boilers duct work water lines drain lines repairs

Jesse Haugan 218.205.7065

Ottertail Bakery 367-3090

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 6 am - 2 pm 001492173r1

EVERYDAY HEROES

Page 10

Fire P revention 2016

VERGAS FIRE & RESCUE DEPARTMENT

BACK ROW (left to right): Jeff Zitzow-(Firemen Chief/First Responder), Kevin Quittschreiber (First Responder), Tina Sharbonno (First Responder), Tyler Sazama (Firemen/ Engineer), Seth Hanson (Firemen), Terry Bennett (Firemen), Nathan Thon (Firemen/Captain/First Responder), Kraig Glawe (Firemen), Mike Dufrane (First Responder), Kyle Holt (Firemen), Derrick Cariveau (First Responder), Kevin Zitzow (Firemen/Captain), Tom Sharbonno (Firemen/First Responder), Torey Sonnenberg (Firemen/Safety Officer) and Dan Doyle (Firemen). MIDDLE ROW: Wes Kellogg (Firemen/First Responder), Kris Thon (First Responder), Jolene Bruhn (First Responder), Alyssa Cariveau (First Responder), Byron Zitzow (First ResponderAssistant Chief), Theresa Harthun (First Responder Chief/EMT) and Dean Haarstick (First Responder/EMT). FRONT ROW: Loren Urbach (Firemen/ First Responder), Andy Matzke (Firemen), Jason Schrupp (Firemen/First Repsonder), Jordan Priem (Firemen) and Tyler Schmid (Firemen/Captain/First Responder).

NOT PICTURED: Justin Helmke (Firemen/First Responder/EMT), Anthony Soland (Firemen Assistant Chief), Mike Defiel (Firemen/First Responder), Mel Harthun (First Responder), Nathan Hoffman (Firemen), Bobbi Hoffmann (Firemen), Matt Holzer (Firemen), Ally Steen (First Responder), Butch Zitzow (Firemen), Katie Zitzow (First Responder), Teri Harthun (First Responder).

Cty Hwy 41 Vergas 218-758-2619

219 E. Frazee Ave, Vergas, MN 56587

www.vergasstatebank.com

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342-3663 (FOOD)

218-342-2871 vergas

PREMIUM GASOLINE WITH NO ETHANOL • VIDEO SELECTION • ICE PIZZA • SUBS • SALADS • BEER • VERGAS SWEATSHIRTS • GROCERIES • PROPANE • ATM • BAIT 001490351r1

All Your ElEctricAl NEEds 24 Hours A dAY

Eat In or Carry Out

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BOAT & MOTOR REPAIR

Located across from the Fire Hall in Vergas

ORDER ONLINE AT VERGAS66.COM!

Check out our many retail items including pickled vegetables, condiments, sauces, meats, sweets, jams and syrup!

LARSON CYPRESS CAY SOUTHBAY PONTOONS

Feed / Grain / Fertilizer Detroit Lakes, MN 218-846-9294

1149 E. Frazee Avenue

Vergas 218-342-2148 001492189r1

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ElEctric free estimates

Vergas, MN 56587 Phone 218-342-2481 • Fax 218-342-2510

Vergas 66 Gas & Convenience

ZitZow

CheCk with jeff!

• residential, farm, cottage & commercial wiring • electric heat installation

www.skalbarandgrill.com

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ng brati Cele ars in 51 Ye ess!

Busin

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u Nightly Specials u

218-342-SKAL (7525)

Vergas Insurance Agency

Fire P revention 2016

EVERYDAY HEROES

Page 11

Discover the ways to fireproof a home A house fire can engulf and destroy a home in a matter of minutes. Even with the fast-acting response of firefighters, a home that has caught fire may be irreparably damaged by flames, soot and water.

Fire is no laughing matter, and it behooves homeowners to take precautions to fireproof their homes as much as possible.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that although death and injuries caused by residential fires have declined gradually during the past several decades, fire-related deaths continue to pose a significant health hazard. In 2010, it is estimated that someone died in a fire every 169 minutes in the United States alone. A person was injured by fire every 30 minutes, according to the National Fire Protection Association, Fire Analysis and Research Division. On average, 375 people die every year from fires, mostly from smoke inhalation.

Most fires are largely preventable. The following are a few fireproofing measures for safety-conscious homeowners. * Install smoke detectors and check the batteries regularly. Smoke inhalation causes many fire-related deaths. A smoke detector should be installed outside of every bedroom and on every level of the house.

Don’t install a smoke detector near a window, door or forced-air register, where drafts could interfere with the detector’s operation. Be sure to routinely check that every smoke detector is working properly.

* Have a fire extinguisher in an easily accessible location. Ideally, there should be a fire extinguisher in every room of the home, but at the least keep one wherever fire is used regularly, such as a kitchen or by a fireplace. Ensure the fire extinguisher is charged and that you understand how to operate it. * Remove combustible materials from around the house. Do not allow old clothing, rags, newspapers, or cardboard boxes to accumulate around the house. Discard

Be prepared when seconds count A National Fire Prevention Association study reported that, on average, seven Americans die in a residential home fire each week. Though you never know when fire might strike, there are important measures you can take to increase your chances when seconds count.

While it’s nearly impossible to make a house completely fireproof, you can build or remodel it using fire-inhibiting materials. The better ones will help to withstand fire hazards, and they may also give you those extra precious minutes or seconds to escape in the event of a fire.

When considering a home renovation, be sure to do your research for fire-rated

and noncombustible products. The Roxul brand, for example, produces stone wool insulation. This insulation resists temperatures up to approximately 2,150 degrees, and when directly exposed to fire, this chemically-inert material will not produce harmful gases or promote the spread of flames. Industry experts explain that stone wool insulation is designed to delay the spread of fire from room to room, providing valuable evacuation time that is critical to saving people, pets, property and reducing environmental damages.

Helpful fire safety tips are available online at nfpa.org.

newspapers and magazines as quickly as possible and be careful to avoid storing anything too close to heaters, furnaces or electrical equipment. * Adhere to the recommended wattage in lamps and lighting fixtures. Do not exceed the recommended bulb wattage for lights around the house. There may be overheating or shorting that can lead to fire. * Look for fireproof interior decor items.

Nowadays, carpeting and furniture can be coated with fireproof chemicals. The added

investment may be worth it in the long run. * Do not leave candles unattended. Many people like the look and aroma that candles provide. Candles also provide emergency illumination in the event of a power outage.

Candles can be easily knocked over and start a fire. In fact, candles are one of the top causes of house fires. Never leave a candle unattended, even for a short amount of time. And certainly never go to sleep without extinguishing a candle. * Keep the chimney clean. Inspect the chimney flue regularly and have it cleaned to prevent an abundance of residual burnt material from accumulating. This creosote can catch fire itself. * Use a fire-resistant roofing material. A roof should be made from metal, clay or asphalt tiles. Trim any overhanging branches or vegetation to reduce the amount of combustible material nearby. * Have a fire-safe wall behind wood heaters. A brick wall or another fireproof material should be used on any walls that house a wood- or gas-burning appliance for added safety. * Verify electrical safety. Extension cords and power strips should be kept to a minimum, and the outlets should not be overloaded. Replace fuses properly and don’t be afraid to call a certified electrician to verify you are correctly set up.

By making a few tweaks in and around the house, a homeowner can decrease the likelihood of a fire.

EVERYDAY HEROES

Page 12

Fire P revention 2016

Thank you for your dedication!

888.330.8482 | myCMCU.org facebook.com/myCMCU

1

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside each bedroom.

2

Create a home escape plan with your family and practice fire drills together.

3

Establish an outdoor meeting place for your family to meet in the event of a fire.

4

Test smoke alarm batteries often, and change them when you change your clocks.

5

Keep a fire extinguisher in your home, as well as a fully charged flashlight.

6

Store matches and lighters in a safe spot, out of reach from children.

7

Never smoke or light candles when you are in bed or feeling tired.

8

Always unplug small appliances when they are not in use.

9

Never overload electrical circuits, and always replace cracked or frayed cords.

10 Have your furnace and chimney inspected and cleaned every year.

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To apply online or view other available positions please visit: www.shearers.com or call us at: 218-346-7000 001491403r1

• Sales & Service • Hydron Geothermal Sales and Service • Maytag Furnaces and Air Conditioners • Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers • Clean Air Systems • Air Exchangers • Hydronic Heating and Boilers • In-Floor Heating • Mini-Split Air Conditioning • High Velocity Systems • Instant Hot Water Heaters/ Water Heaters • Redlink/WiFi Thermostats by Honeywell • Much Much More...... 001335119r2

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