The threat of winter fires is real. Fifteen percent of all fire deaths occur in January, making it the deadliest month. Additionally, the 2nd week of January is nearly twice as deadly as the rest of the year. It’s important that you understand the severity and prevalence of winter fires:

• Although at its peak in December, residential building fire incidence is collectively highest in the three winter ... (Full Story & Photos)

4-04 Box, 14:25 - Squad 4 was dispatched to the 18700 block of Three Notch Road in Lexington Park for the reported motor vehicle accident involving two vehicles. Chief 4 arrived on location and reported one injury. Squad 4 and Engine 141 arrived and assisted EMS with packaging and removal of the patient as well as securing all vehicles involved. One patient was transported to St. Mary's Hospital with ... (Full Story & Photos)

4-09 Box, 09:37 - Engine 41 was dispatched to the area of the 49900 block of Cornfield Harbor Road in Scotland for the reported vehicle fire. Engine 41 arrived on location and reported the vehicle was fully involved. Crews from Engine 41 quickly extinguished the vehicle before the fire extended into the nearby woods. Tanker 4 supplied Engine 41with additional water. The fire is under investigation ... (Full Story & Photos)

The following products were recently recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC):

... (Full Story & Photos)

With holidays behind us, most are now preparing for the next big celebration… New Year’s Day! Celebrating with fireworks has been a longstanding tradition in the United States. However, many people are seriously injured each year by their careless use. Fireworks started an estimated 19,500 fires in 2018, including 1,900 structure fires, 500 vehicle fires, and 17,100 outside and other fires. These ... (Full Story & Photos)

Ridge VFD members gathered this past Monday evening for our December drill; Live Fire Training - Basement Ops. We traveled to the Joseph Sacco Firefighting and Safety Training School at The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship in Piney Point, MD for the drill. The School is equipped to simulate shipboard fires. We used the facility to simulate an interior home attack, with a focus on basement ... (Full Story & Photos)

4-03 Box - 11:53, Engine 41, Tanker 4 and Squad 4 responded to 17710 St. Inigoes Road for the reported structure fire. Safety 4B arrived on location and advised he had smoke and fire showing from the Charlie side basement door. Engine 141 and Engine 41 arrived shortly after and advanced hose lines to the Charlie side basement entrance and the Alpha side front door. The fire was knocked within 5 minutes. ... (Full Story & Photos)

While the Southern Maryland roads aren’t expected to be snow-covered this holiday season, your travel destination may be different. Road safety is important. The biggest weather hazard during the winter months is icy, snow-covered, and wet roads, so you need to be prepared when traveling for the holidays. The best way to counter this hazard is to slow down. You want to do everything slower and lighter ... (Full Story & Photos)