Fire Prevention
Keeping Our Community Safe:
A Guide to Fire Prevention in Millwood
The Millwood Fire Company is dedicated to protecting our neighbors in the Westchester County NY, but the most effective fire response is the one that never has to happen.
Living in the Northeast presents unique seasonal challenges—from the heavy snows of winter to the dry leaf piles of autumn. This guide provides comprehensive safety tips specifically tailored for our Westchester County residents to help you safeguard your home and family year-round.
The best fire call is the one we never have to make. A few minutes of preparation can protect your family, your home, and our volunteer firefighters.
Autumn: Managing the Harvest of Hazards
Fall in the Hudson Valley is beautiful, but dropping temperatures and falling leaves create specific fire risks.
1. The “Hot Exhaust” Danger
One of the most overlooked hazards in our area is parking a vehicle over piles of dry leaves.
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The Science Your car’s catalytic converter and exhaust system can reach temperatures between 800°F and 1,200°F. Dry leaves can ignite at just 300°F.
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The Tip Never park your car over piles of leaves at the curb or in your driveway. Within seconds, the heat from your engine can ignite the debris, leading to a vehicle fire that can quickly spread to nearby structures or trees.
2. Leaf Disposal and the NYS Burn Ban
New York State has strict regulations regarding outdoor burning.
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Burning Leaves is Prohibited It is illegal to burn loose leaves or leaf piles year-round in New York State.
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Brush Burning Windows In towns like Millwood with fewer than 20,000 residents, burning downed limbs is allowed during certain windows, but never between March 16 and May 14, which is the high-risk period for brush fires.
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Safe Alternatives Compost your leaves or utilize town-provided leaf collection services. If you do have a small recreational fire pit, ensure it is at least 25 feet away from your home and never leave it unattended.
Burning leaf piles is illegal year-round in New York State. Violations can result in fines. When in doubt, compost or use your town’s curbside leaf collection program.
Did You Know?
Leaf fires are among the leading causes of autumn brush fires in Westchester County. The Millwood Fire Department responds to multiple brush fire calls each fall season.
Winter: Heating Your Home Safely
When the Hudson Valley deep freeze sets in, our service calls for chimney fires and CO alarms spike. Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires in New York.
CO is odorless and colorless. A blocked furnace vent after a snowstorm can silently fill your home with deadly gas. Always check exterior vents after heavy snow.
1. Chimney and Wood Stove Safety
Many Millwood homes rely on fireplaces or wood stoves for warmth and ambiance.
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Annual Inspections Have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a certified professional every year. Creosote, a byproduct of wood burning, builds up on chimney walls and is highly flammable.
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Ash Disposal Never place ashes in a cardboard box or plastic bin. Use a metal container with a lid and store it outside, at least 10 feet from any building or deck. Coals can remain hot enough to start a fire for several days.
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Seasoned Wood Only Burn only dry, seasoned hardwood. Burning “green” wood or trash increases creosote buildup and releases toxic fumes.
2. Space Heaters and Electric Safety
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The 3-Foot Rule Keep anything that can burn—curtains, furniture, blankets, or paper—at least 3 feet away from space heaters and fireplaces.
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Direct Plug-In Only Always plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Never use an extension cord or power strip, as these can easily overheat and start a fire.
3. Snow Removal and Exhaust Vents
After a heavy Westchester snowstorm, check your home’s exterior.
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Clear Your Vents Ensure that high-efficiency furnace vents and water heater exhausts are clear of snow. Blocked vents can cause Carbon Monoxide (CO) to back up into your living space.
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Clear Fire Hydrants If there is a fire hydrant on or near your property, please help us by shoveling a 3-foot path around it. Those extra minutes saved in an emergency can be life-saving for your neighbors—and for our volunteer firefighters.
Mark your fire hydrant with a tall orange or red stake before the first snowfall so it’s easy to locate after a storm. It costs a few dollars and could save a life.
The Holiday Season: Decking the Halls Safely
December is a peak time for home fires, often involving decorations and increased electrical loads.
1. Christmas Tree Safety
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Hydration is Key Make a fresh 1-inch cut off the base before placing in the stand. Check the water level daily; a fresh tree can “drink” up to a gallon of water in 24 hours.
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Placement Matters Keep your tree at least 3 feet away from heat sources like radiators, baseboards, and fireplaces.
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Post-Holiday Disposal Once the needles start falling, the tree is a major fire hazard. Do not keep dry trees in the house or garage. Follow local recycling schedules for prompt removal.
2. Lighting and Decorations
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Inspect Cords First Before hanging lights, check for frayed wires, bare spots, or cracked sockets. Discard any damaged sets immediately.
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Outdoor vs. Indoor Only use lights labeled for outdoor use on your home’s exterior. Outdoor lights are designed to withstand Hudson Valley moisture and freezing temperatures.
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Unplug Before Bed Always turn off all holiday lights before you go to bed or leave the house.
Year-Round Essentials: Your First Line of Defense
Regardless of the season, these three steps are non-negotiable for every household in the Millwood Fire District.
1. Working Smoke & CO Alarms
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Placement Install on every level, inside every bedroom, and outside every sleeping area.
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Testing Test your alarms once a month.
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Replacement Replace batteries every six months (when you change your clocks). Replace the entire unit after 10 years. NY law now requires new alarms to have a non-removable 10-year battery.
2. Have a Home Escape Plan
In a modern home fire, you may have as little as two minutes to escape safely.
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Two Ways Out Every family member should know two exits from every room.
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Meeting Place Designate a specific spot outside (e.g., a tree or the mailbox) so everyone can be quickly accounted for.
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Practice Conduct a home fire drill twice a year—once during the day and once at night.
3. Close Before You Snore
A closed bedroom door can act as a temporary fire barrier, keeping smoke, heat, and toxic gases out while you sleep.
This can provide the critical extra minutes needed to escape safely—or to wait for the Millwood Fire Company to arrive.
A Message to Our Neighbors
The Millwood Fire Company is proud to serve you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We operate out of two stations staffed entirely by dedicated volunteers who live and work right here in the community.
By following these Hudson Valley-specific safety tips, you aren’t just protecting your property—you are protecting your family and our first responders.
Want to help protect your neighbors? Learn about becoming a volunteer firefighter.
If you ever smell smoke, see fire, or your CO alarm sounds—get out of the house immediately and call 911. Do not stop to collect belongings.
9-1-1
Fire • Medical Emergency • CO Alarm
Non-Emergency / Safety Presentations
(914) 941-2222For non-emergency fire safety questions or to request a fire safety presentation for your local group, call our firehouse anytime.
Stay Safe, Millwood!