Fire prevention month: Local firefighters urge residents to check alarms

As Fire Prevention Month continues through October, local fire departments are reminding residents to take simple precautions at home, from checking smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to developing an escape plan, while teaching children how to respond in an emergency.

Last week’s press release from Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services stressed that closing your bedroom door at night before you go to sleep can significantly increase your chances of survival during a fire.

“[Closing your bedroom door] prevents the fire from spreading into your room and gives you a chance to get out,” said Southold Fire Department Chief Pindar Damianos. “I always close my door before I go to bed. If a fire starts in the kitchen and your bedroom is off the hallway, closing the door helps prevent smoke from getting into your bedroom.

It’s about giving you a chance to survive and get out of the house. If your door is open, the room could fill with smoke, and you might not even wake up. You could be overcome by smoke.”

“Often, smoke is more dangerous to people than the flames; a closed door can reduce the amount of toxic smoke entering the bedroom,” Suffolk County officials said. “Additionally, when the door is closed it can help keep the temperatures lower in the room, making the environment more survivable while people evacuate or wait for a rescue from first responders.”

When it comes to active measures to take when preventing future fires or to keep your house as safe as possible, local officials said carbon monoxide and smoke detectors “save lives.”

“Smoke detectors are an important first line of defense, particularly at night when people are sleeping,” said Cutchogue Fire Department fire commissioner Chris Talbot. “Change your batteries – make sure your smoke detectors are all up and running.”

Suffolk County officials said a fire in the family home is the stuff nightmares are made of, but even though the thought of such an incident is terrifying, it doesn’t mean that we can’t be prepared and take actions to make sure we are better prepared.

Riverhead Fire Department and its members are attending local schools in the town for the month of October — Fire Prevention Month — educating the youth on what to do if they see flames or smoke.

“We’re providing education to young people who live in many homes in our area,” said 3rd Assistant Chief of the Riverhead Volunteer Fire Department Baycan Fideli. “We’re trying to make sure they’re educated about what to do in a fire and how to stay safe without panicking. I think that’s the most critical key, that they don’t panic and they know what to do.”

Southold Fire Department held its annual fire prevention event Tuesday, Oct. 6, teaching local students how to prevent fires and respond to emergencies. Children visited the department’s substation to take part in an inflatable fire safety house and a puppet show before learning about escape routes and the importance of having a family meeting place.

Firefighters and EMTs also visited Southold Elementary School with fire trucks and an ambulance, showing students the equipment and explaining how emergency crews respond to calls. Mr. Damianos said about 25 firefighters and EMTs participated in the event.

“The most important thing we’re trying to do is save lives, and I think we do that from one child at a time,” Mr. Damianos said.

During fire prevention week, Oct. 4-10, members visited North Fork Discoveries Pre-school in Cutchogue and welcomed the Hallockville farm hands pre-school and home learners to the Cutchogue firehouse as part of the 2026 Fire Safety Program.

“They shoot water off the back of the truck, go through the trucks and get in the gear,” said Cutchogue Fire Department Fire Commissioner Larry Behr. “They have little helmets and coloring activities. They do age-appropriate activities for each level of children.”

FRES Commissioner Rudy Sunderman said that preparedness never stops; you can always be prepared and have a plan.

“National Fire Prevention Month reminds us all that the time to prepare for the unexpected and scary moments in life is now,” Mr. Sunderman said. “Whether it is a snow storm, a fire or a hurricane, you can prepare by taking precautions and thinking through your actions in advance of these moments arising. These small actions can potentially save your life and the lives of your friends and family. The time to prepare is now, not tomorrow, but now.”