The Lexington Fire Department provides various services for the Lexington community and local businesses. These services include fire extinguisher training, hydrant flow testing, pre-incident surveys (pre-plans), and other public education events.
Fire Extinguisher Training
The Lexington Fire Marshal's Office conducts fire extinguisher training for local businesses with our augmented reality FiAR fire extinguisher training systems. Our FiAR systems were purchased with money received from a FEMA Fire Prevention & Safety Grant. To schedule fire extinguisher training for your business, contact our Fire Marshal's Office at 336-248-3933.
Hydrant Flow Testing
Throughout the month of September, the Lexington Fire Department will be conducting fire hydrant flow testing in the city. For information about when testing will be conducted near you, please view the hydrant zone maps below.
The Lexington Fire Marshal's Office has smoke alarms available, courtesy of the American Red Cross, that can be installed for homeowners within the Lexington city limits free of charge. Contact the Lexington Fire Marshal's Office at 336-248-3933 for more information and to schedule a smoke alarm installation.
Safety Information
The following information is provided by the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the NC Department of Public Safety (NCDPS), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and Safe Kids Worldwide. The Lexington Fire Department is dedicated to public safety and wants to ensure that citizens have the knowledge needed to help prevent fire incidents and other safety issues.
Batteries
Batteries power many of our devices, including phones, laptops, and tablets. These batteries store large amounts of power. When these batteries are charged improperly or are defective, they can generate large amounts of heat and explode. The NFPA has more information about the dangers of these batteries in their downloadable safety sheet for Lithium-Ion Battery Safety.
Car Safety
Car Seat Installations
Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) are certified through Safe Kids Worldwide and have the knowledge and training to educate the public on how to safely install a car seat. Safe Kids North Carolina is led by the NC Department of Insurance, Office of the State Fire Marshal, which offers regular courses to certify CPSTs.
The Lexington Fire Department, Lexington Police Department, and the Davidson County Health Department do not currently provide car seat installations. The Davidson County Health Department will be offering car seat installations again as soon as a staff member is certified. If you need an installation, the Thomasville Fire Department is offering this service currently.
To locate other CPSTs, use the Find a Tech tool.
To search for vehicle and car seat safety recalls, use the NHTSA's Recalls tool.
Heatstroke Safety
According to Safe Kids Worldwide's Heatstroke safety tips, "On average, every 10 days a child dies from heatstroke in a vehicle. In more than half of these deaths, the caregiver forgot the child was in the car." Cars can heat up very fast and pose a risk for any adult, baby, or animal inside. Watch the video below for a demonstration of how hot a vehicle can get compared to how hot it is outside.
Move Over Law
If you see an emergency vehicle in your rear view mirror or hear a siren, make sure to slow down and move to the right. The Move Over law took effect in 2002, and it helps to protect you and the emergency vehicles. A violation of the Move Over law will result in a mandatory fine of $250.00 plus court costs. The NCDPS provides more information about this law on their website.
The best way to protect yourself while you’re driving is to obey traffic laws and to buckle up. Click It or Ticket is a campaign of the NHTSA that focuses on educating drivers and passengers on the importance of buckling up and always wearing a seat belt. The NHTSA also provides more information on risky driving, road safety, and vehicle safety on their website.
Having a fire extinguisher in your home can help protect your property. However, fire extinguishers are for small fires only. If the fire extinguisher doesn’t immediately work, evacuate your home and call 911.
To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS:
Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and release the locking mechanism.
Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
When a smoke alarm sounds, there is a short amount of time to escape a fire. Prepare in advance and have a home escape plan ready to evacuate your home safely. Remember, shutting bedroom doors at night helps slow the spread of smoke and fire throughout your home. Visit the NFPA's Home Fire Escape Planning website for more safety tips.
Smoke alarms are a critical asset to your safety and the safety of your family. Smoke spreads quickly in your home, and these devices provide early warning and give extra time to escape. The NFPA provides safety tips and downloadable tip sheets on their website for Smoke Alarms.
The Lexington Fire Marshal's Office has smoke alarms available, courtesy of the American Red Cross, that can be installed for homeowners within the Lexington city limits free of charge. Contact the Lexington Fire Marshal's Office at 336-248-3933 for more information and to schedule a smoke alarm installation.
Seasonal Safety
Flood Safety
As hurricane season ramps up, be sure to follow the flood safety tips below and remember, Turn Around Don't Drown.