Dig out a fire hydrant near you because "you never know when a fire is going to strike"

BROWN DEER (WITI) -- After two rounds of snow this week, you might be tired of digging out. But firefighters are urging residents to uncover one more thing -- their neighborhood fire hydrants.

"You need to get out there and shovel early," said Lt. Dan Tyk from the North Shore Fire Department. "We sometimes have a tendency to be reactive instead of proactive. And shoveling your fire hydrant is definitely something you need to be proactive. You never know when a fire is going to strike."

Digging out the neighborhood fire hydrant might seem like someone else's problem, but Tyk says it's everyone's responsibility.

"Not every house has its own fire hydrant so while it may not be your's right in front of your house that's still your fire and it's really important you get out with neighbors friends, whoever, become a block champion," said Tyk.

We've all heard how a fire doubles in size every 60 seconds. That's why first responders count on residents to keep those hydrants like -- just like they do their driveways and sidewalks.

"You think of a very small content fire can become a very fully involved house fire in the matter of a couple of minutes. And that's valuable time we have now spent shoveling out your hydrant," said Tyk.