Do Not Play Around If You Smell Smoke, Or Gas Call The Fire Department

[Jim O'Bryan]

I just had an interesting string of phone calls from people I know and the Fire Department, during it all an important point was made, don't mess around, don't wait too long, call the Fire Department or non-emergency number 216.521-6773. It is always better to be safe than sorry, and with fire and gas leaks time matters.

The person called me asking if they should call the fire department, as we were talking I called the fire department. The home owner was worried with the amount of smoke in their house, but thought it might just be nothing other than a malfunctioning furnace. A thought shared by the Fire Department, as dust or a broken belt. But they did not wait and say don't worry instead then ran over to the house to check it all out.

Fire is a difficult thing to see or even smell sometimes. Once it get out and gets into walls it becomes a nightmare that can grow out of proportions quickly. Last week a fire broke out in a kitchen, and while the person tried to fight it, it quickly grew out of control, smoke overcame the person in the house, and luckily someone called the fire department which found the home owner trapped behind a door in the kitchen that was on fire.

Yes it can be embarrassing, yes it can be an unneeded call in the long run, but far better than that a destroyed house, or worse a dead homeowner and or fire fighter or policeman.

521-6773 the non-emergency number. Learn it, or keep it handy, it can save your life.

Good work Lakewood Fire and Police.

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