Posted on October 1, 2025
Posted on October 1, 2025 Do fire blankets really work? OCTOBER 5-11, 2025 Sova Insurance AgencyRuralMutualSam Scott Sam Scott Space heater safety 101 DUCT CLEANING CONTACT US TODAY! would your coverageREALLY rebuild your home? Bill’s did. Air Duct Cleaning Service Available!FIGHT THE BLAZE
Do fire blankets really work? OCTOBER 5-11, 2025 Fire blankets are crucial tools in fire safety kits, and it’s essential to understand how to use them for effective fire prevention and management. Here’s an overview of what you need to know. 158617 158704 HOW DO THEYWORK? Sova Insurance Agency RuralMutual 158608_2 Insurance Company Insurance Company Sam Scott Sam Scott Hwy. 13 N., Medford 715-748-5445 Career Agent Career Agent 1124 E S 8th Street, Medford 715-748-6464 • sscott@ruralins.com 1124 E S 8th Street, Medford 715-748-6464 • sscott@ruralins.com Fire blankets work on a simple yet effective principle. Made from flame-resistant materials, they work by depriving the fire of oxygen and extinguishing it. It’s important to remember that fire blankets are designed for small fires only. Attempting to tackle larger fires with a blanket can be dangerous and ineffective. Fire blankets are particularly useful for kitchen fires, where grease and oil can fuel flames rapidly. They can also be used smothering small fires involving electrical equipment or appliances. Space heater safety 101 USING A FIRE BLANKET IS EASY 158624 When confronted with a small fire, remember the acronym PASS: Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep. First, pull the fire blanket out of its packaging. Then, aim it at the base of the flames, covering them completely. Next, gently squeeze the blanket to release any trapped air, ensuring optimal smothering. Finally, sweep the blanket across the flames to extinguish them entirely. Fire Prevention Week (FPW) is from October 6 to 12, and this year’s theme is “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!™.” It’s a great time to refresh your knowledge of fire safety, particularly if you use a portable heater for extra warmth. Follow these 10 tips to ensure you use your space heaters safely: 1. Place the heater on a solid, level and non-flammable surface. Never place a space heater on a carpet, table or other piece of furniture. 2. Keep the space heater at least one metre away from combustible materials, such as bedding and curtains. DUCT CLEANING 9. Always read and follow the space heater’s manufacturer manual to ensure you don’t overlook any critical safety instructions specific to your heater model. 10. Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors near where you use the space heater and test them at least once a month to ensure they work. These detectors can provide early warning in case of a fire or carbon monoxide leak related to the space heater. Visit your local hardware store to find a space heater with an automatic shut-off feature that activates if the unit tips over or overheats. This additional safety measure can help prevent accidents and reduce the risk of fire or burns. Finally, remember to regularly inspect your fire blanket for signs of damage or wear and replace it as needed to ensure its reliability in an emergency. Ensure a fire blanket is readily accessible to protect your home and loved ones. Cleaning your furnace ducts along with your dryer vents can help avoid a house fire! 3. Ensure the space heater isn’t in a high-traffic area or doorway, where it could pose a tripping hazard. 4. Inspect the space heater for damaged cords or plugs before every use. If you notice fraying or damage, don’t use the heater. 5. Don’t use a space heater in a workshop or garage near flammable paints, gas cans or matches. 6. Regularly clean the space heater to remove dust and debris buildup, which can pose a fire hazard if ignited by the heat. 7. Never leave a space heater unattended, and always turn the heater off when you leave the room or go to bed. 8. Plug the space heater directly into a wall outlet—don’t use an extension cord or power strip. Moreover, don’t plug other electrical devices into the same outlet as the heater. CONTACT US TODAY! would your coverage 174622 mastercleanwi.com REALLY rebuild 715-748-3121 - 1367 N 8th Street - Medford WI 54451 your home? Bill’s did. (715) 748-5331 • 925 Casement Ct., Medford Commerical and Residential “If you don’t have insurance to fully replace your home at today’s cost, get it.” — Bill T., ERIE Customer from Fairmont, WV, who lost his home in a fire but was able to completely rebuild with ERIE’s Guaranteed Replacement Cost coverage. 143140_2 1 1Guaranteed Air Duct Cleaning Service Available! Replacement Cost applies to dwelling and requires home improvements over $5,000 to be reported within 90 days-not available will all policies and in all states. Coverage of costs to comply with laws or ordinances is subject to limits. Depreciation may be deducted until repair or replacement is made. Talk to an ERIE Agent for more information. Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Co. and Erie Family Life Insurance Co. (Erie, Pa) or Erie Insurance Co. of New York (Rochester, NY). Go to erieinsurance.com for company licensure and product details. S1420b 8/2023 © 2023 Erie Indemnity Company FIGHT THE BLAZE THANK YOU Carpet Cleaning Upholstery Cleaning Get out your crayons and liven up this action-packed scene! 143080 143083_3 T HE STARN EWS Locally Owned & Operated By Appointment 715-748-5576 Serving Taylor County Since 1875 Doug Thomas Medford • 715-748-2626 158756 Thank You to Thank You to All All Firefighters for the important job you do. FIREFIGHTERS ROMIG’S HARDWARE HANK Main St., Gilman 715-447-8285 Firefighters and V olunteers! Be Proactive in PREVENTING ELECTRICAL FIRES. Visit jrec.com/electrical-safety-information or safeelectricity.org K& B REFRIGERATION SALES & SERVICE SLEEP CENTER 142552 N3464 STATE HWY. 13 • MEDFORD •715- 7484401 174184 158615 STORE HOURS: MON.FRI. 8AM-5PM • SAT. 8AM-NOON www.kandbrefrigeration.com 715-532-5524 or 715-634-4575 www.jrec.com Do fire blankets really work? OCTOBER 5-11, 2025 Fire blankets are crucial tools in fire safety kits, and it’s essential to understand how to use them for effective fire prevention and management. Here’s an overview of what you need to know. 158617 158704 HOW DO THEYWORK? Sova Insurance Agency RuralMutual 158608_2 Insurance Company Insurance Company Sam Scott Sam Scott Hwy. 13 N., Medford 715-748-5445 Career Agent Career Agent 1124 E S 8th Street, Medford 715-748-6464 • sscott@ruralins.com 1124 E S 8th Street, Medford 715-748-6464 • sscott@ruralins.com Fire blankets work on a simple yet effective principle. Made from flame-resistant materials, they work by depriving the fire of oxygen and extinguishing it. It’s important to remember that fire blankets are designed for small fires only. Attempting to tackle larger fires with a blanket can be dangerous and ineffective. Fire blankets are particularly useful for kitchen fires, where grease and oil can fuel flames rapidly. They can also be used smothering small fires involving electrical equipment or appliances. Space heater safety 101 USING A FIRE BLANKET IS EASY 158624 When confronted with a small fire, remember the acronym PASS: Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep. First, pull the fire blanket out of its packaging. Then, aim it at the base of the flames, covering them completely. Next, gently squeeze the blanket to release any trapped air, ensuring optimal smothering. Finally, sweep the blanket across the flames to extinguish them entirely. Fire Prevention Week (FPW) is from October 6 to 12, and this year’s theme is “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!™.” It’s a great time to refresh your knowledge of fire safety, particularly if you use a portable heater for extra warmth. Follow these 10 tips to ensure you use your space heaters safely: 1. Place the heater on a solid, level and non-flammable surface. Never place a space heater on a carpet, table or other piece of furniture. 2. Keep the space heater at least one metre away from combustible materials, such as bedding and curtains. DUCT CLEANING 9. Always read and follow the space heater’s manufacturer manual to ensure you don’t overlook any critical safety instructions specific to your heater model. 10. Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors near where you use the space heater and test them at least once a month to ensure they work. These detectors can provide early warning in case of a fire or carbon monoxide leak related to the space heater. Visit your local hardware store to find a space heater with an automatic shut-off feature that activates if the unit tips over or overheats. This additional safety measure can help prevent accidents and reduce the risk of fire or burns. Finally, remember to regularly inspect your fire blanket for signs of damage or wear and replace it as needed to ensure its reliability in an emergency. Ensure a fire blanket is readily accessible to protect your home and loved ones. Cleaning your furnace ducts along with your dryer vents can help avoid a house fire! 3. Ensure the space heater isn’t in a high-traffic area or doorway, where it could pose a tripping hazard. 4. Inspect the space heater for damaged cords or plugs before every use. If you notice fraying or damage, don’t use the heater. 5. Don’t use a space heater in a workshop or garage near flammable paints, gas cans or matches. 6. Regularly clean the space heater to remove dust and debris buildup, which can pose a fire hazard if ignited by the heat. 7. Never leave a space heater unattended, and always turn the heater off when you leave the room or go to bed. 8. Plug the space heater directly into a wall outlet—don’t use an extension cord or power strip. Moreover, don’t plug other electrical devices into the same outlet as the heater. CONTACT US TODAY! would your coverage 174622 mastercleanwi.com REALLY rebuild 715-748-3121 - 1367 N 8th Street - Medford WI 54451 your home? Bill’s did. (715) 748-5331 • 925 Casement Ct., Medford Commerical and Residential “If you don’t have insurance to fully replace your home at today’s cost, get it.” — Bill T., ERIE Customer from Fairmont, WV, who lost his home in a fire but was able to completely rebuild with ERIE’s Guaranteed Replacement Cost coverage. 143140_2 1 1Guaranteed Air Duct Cleaning Service Available! Replacement Cost applies to dwelling and requires home improvements over $5,000 to be reported within 90 days-not available will all policies and in all states. Coverage of costs to comply with laws or ordinances is subject to limits. Depreciation may be deducted until repair or replacement is made. Talk to an ERIE Agent for more information. Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Co. and Erie Family Life Insurance Co. (Erie, Pa) or Erie Insurance Co. of New York (Rochester, NY). Go to erieinsurance.com for company licensure and product details. S1420b 8/2023 © 2023 Erie Indemnity Company FIGHT THE BLAZE THANK YOU Carpet Cleaning Upholstery Cleaning Get out your crayons and liven up this action-packed scene! 143080 143083_3 T HE STARN EWS Locally Owned & Operated By Appointment 715-748-5576 Serving Taylor County Since 1875 Doug Thomas Medford • 715-748-2626 158756 Thank You to Thank You to All All Firefighters for the important job you do. FIREFIGHTERS ROMIG’S HARDWARE HANK Main St., Gilman 715-447-8285 Firefighters and V olunteers! Be Proactive in PREVENTING ELECTRICAL FIRES. Visit jrec.com/electrical-safety-information or safeelectricity.org K& B REFRIGERATION SALES & SERVICE SLEEP CENTER 142552 N3464 STATE HWY. 13 • MEDFORD •715- 7484401 174184 158615 STORE HOURS: MON.FRI. 8AM-5PM • SAT. 8AM-NOON www.kandbrefrigeration.com 715-532-5524 or 715-634-4575 www.jrec.com
...
