Sioux Falls Fire Rescue encourages residents to be safe during holidays
Officials with Sioux Falls Fire Rescue are reminding residents to be safe as the holiday season inches closer, after two structure fires displaced two families Monday.
SFFR responded to the two house fires, the first at about 2:20 p.m. Monday on the 700 Block of E Shadow Creek Lane, and the second at about 11:50 p.m. on the 6600 Block of W 46th St. Two small dogs were rescued from the first one, while the second resulted in the rescue of a toddler who was trapped inside.
During the daily police briefing with media Tuesday morning at the city’s Law Enforcement Center, Sioux Falls Fire Rescue Divisional Chief Steve Fessler outlined a few basic necessities for residents to keep in mind if they want to look at a safe, danger-free holiday season with loved ones.
Fessler stressed the importance of having functional smoke alarms in homes and said residents should contact 211 in case of any smoke alarm needs or questions.
“Sioux Falls Fire Rescue would like to remind everybody to have working smoke alarms in their bedroom, outside their bedrooms and at least on each level of the structure,” said Fessler, emphasizing the importance of “initial detection.”
Fessler said kitchen fires are common this time of the year and asked residents to exercise “smart, common sense” while cooking with multiple items.
“If you have space heaters, burning candles or anything like that, be aware of what you have next to or close to (them),” Fessler said. “If you’re using portable heating units, (it’s) being aware of what’s around them (and) making sure they shut off automatically.”
Fessler also spoke about Christmas decorations used typically in the holiday season, especially Christmas trees. He urged residents exercise caution with them.
“If you have a live tree, just make sure they’re watered enough and have plenty of moisture,” Fessler said. “Be careful with any kind of lighting (and) that it’s done the correct way.”
The cause of the two fires Monday are still under investigation.