Brainerd Fire Chief Kevin Stunek is sending out a friendly reminder to lakes area residents to keep their gas meters, roof vents and nearby fire hydrants shoveled with the recent snowfall.

Stunek said plugged roof vents could cause carbon monoxide to become trapped in a home. Gas meters and fire hydrants need to stay shoveled out in the event of an emergency. Stunek said fire personnel need to be able to find the closest hydrant in the event of a fire in a neighborhood.