The Crookston Fire Department reminds homeowners, business owners, and property managers to remember to clear snow and ice from both their primary and secondary exits as well as the pathways to get to and from those exits. Firefighter Chris Klawitter says keeping pathways clear is essential to help you safely get out of a home or building during an emergency. “The Crookston Fire Department would like to remind all building owners, property managers, and homeowners to keep their doors free of ice and snow this winter,” said Klawitter. “As winter is here, I’m afraid; we need to remind everyone about the problems ice and snow can cause. It’s very important to have all your paths of egress, emergency escape, or rescue paths clear. Not just your main ones, but your secondary ones also.”
Likewise, having the pathways and doors free of snow and ice is also crucial for first responders’ safety when arriving at a home or building, according to Klawitter. “Schools, apartments, restaurants, most businesses, have a secondary exit that is required for them to have open,” said Klawitter. “They are responsible for having that maintained and make sure it’s open with no snow, and the door is not frozen shut, so if needed, that secondary door can be used. The removal of ice and snow from pathways, sidewalks, and driveways is also important not only for your safety but for the safety of responders, possibly coming there to help you. First responders, firefighters, even the guy checking the gas meter, for their safety and your own, try to keep those as clean as possible.”
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