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Windsor Town Councilman Walter Bernacki shared some timely public safety information at the council’s April 8 meeting in an effort to combat a significant regional increase in structure fires. A couple of the fires have resulted in fatalities.

Bernacki is a captain with the Windsor Volunteer Fire Department and has served as the organization’s public information officer.

“The biggest thing the Windsor Fire Department wants to express to the residents is please, remember, the two big items that have been contributing factors (to the structure fires) have been not properly disposing of your smoking materials and unattended cooking.”

The emphasized that those are dangerous actions.

“So please, if you’re going to be cooking, watch what you’re cooking, because that way you’ll be right there in case something happens,” he said.

Then he said people should make sure their smoking materials are fully extinguished, not just in their homes but also on the road.

“If you’re one of these people that smokes in your car, likes to flick it out the window, we’re still extremely dry in this area and it has caused several brush fires along the roadway forests that have extended toward residents,” he said. “And we hate to see anyone lose a life or lose their property. Please discard of that appropriately.”

He closed by noting that the fire department just wants everyone to be safe.