The Rocky Point Fire Department would like to remind you that a clearly visible, accessible fire hydrant could save your home – or even your life. If a fire hydrant is lost or buried in snow, firefighters can lose valuable time trying to locate it when they first arrive at a fire. You can perform a valuable public service and protect yourself, your family and your neighbors by taking the responsibility for shoveling out and clearing any fire hydrants near your home during and after a snowstorm. With more snow sure to be on the way, we’d like to offer these suggestions:

Know the location of all fire hydrants in your neighborhood.

Make sure they are shoveled clear after each snowfall.

Clear away any snow and ice in the area surrounding these fire hydrants.

Clear the snow three feet all around the hydrant so firefighters have enough room to connect a hose.

We would also like to remind you to look out for your elderly or handicap neighbors as well, by taking a few extra minutes to shovel out their hydrants.

Please take some time now to save precious minutes in case of a fire. A few scoops of snow today could make all the difference later.