Information from the Violet Township Fire Department

Mark your calendar for the annual Violet Township

Firefighters Toy Drive

The Violet Township Fire Department’s annual Holiday Toy Drive kicked off Nov. 22 and will run through Dec. 21. The economic downturn is still a real crisis in many homes planning for the holiday season. Many children may not receive gifts this holiday season without everyone’s help.

The Violet Township Fire Department and the Violet Township Firefighters’ IAFF Local 3558 are leading the effort to collect new, unwrapped toys for area children. There is also a great need every year for gift cards and monetary donations to assist families of older kids or those with special needs.

Toys may be dropped off at any Violet Township Firehouse, as well as many local businesses throughout the Pickerington area. Call us for locations, or just look for the Big Red Box at area retail shops! You may also visit the Violet Township Firefighters Toy Drive on Facebok for regular updates. Just search for “Violet Township Firefighters Toy Drive.”

If you have questions, please contact Firefighter Jim Barber, Lt. Gregg Goodwin, Lt. Dave Belcher or Prevention Officer Don Searls at our Toy Drive Hotline, 614-382-5952, or e-mail us at toys@violet.oh.us.

We are committed to assisting those in need, and are once again asking our generous community for its support. With your help, this endeavor can once again be a huge success. If you are in need of holiday gift or emergency assistance, contact Fairfield County Information and Referral at 108 W. Main St., Suite C, Lancaster, OH, 43130, 740-687-0500. Please do not call the Fire Department if you are looking for assistance, as it does not directly help any families; however, we assist numerous social service organizations in the Pickerington area with items received from our collection drive.

How can my organization or company help?

If you would like to kick-start a campaign, donate directly or become a dropoff location, please call our special Toy Drive Hotline at 614-382-5952 or e-mail toys@violet.oh.us to ask how you can help!

Holiday Safety Tips

Safety precautions are easily overlooked in the excitement of the holiday season. Christmas trees and lights are common safety problems. Here are some tips to make your holidays safer.

Keep live Christmas trees watered. This is particularly important when a Christmas tree is purchased well in advance of Christmas. Timely removal of Christmas trees after the holidays will prevent excessive dryness. If tree care is an inconvenience, a synthetic tree may be a safe alternative.

Check electrical cords and lights for signs of damage. If damaged, replace these items. Use of damaged electrical cords and lights can cause an electrical short and lead to a fire.

Keep a close eye on pets, which often drink the tree water, causing the tree to dry out faster, or chew on and damage electrical cords and lights.

Take extra precaution with candles or other displays that place open fire in your home. These can be easily forgotten and become a danger to curious children or pets. Remember to extinguish them when they are not attended.

From Chief John Eisel and the entire Violet Township Fire Department family, have a safe and happy holiday season!