The Okotoks Fire Department is asking residents to help keep fire hydrants accessible over the winter.

Recent snow accumulation means some hydrants may be covered or hard to get to.

Ken Thevenot, Okotoks Fire Chief advises residents to ensure the hydrant reachable.

"If they have a hydrant on their property, or close to their property, if they could dig it out and make sure the snow is cleared around their hydrant on their residential or commercial property that would be a great help to us."

Not only should the fire hydrant be dug out, but the area perimeter around it too, along with a path to the street or sidewalk.

Thevenot says its a small thing residents can do to help when seconds count.

"We just like to keep them clear in the event that we have to use them, it'll save us a bit of time."

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