Beware of Burn Ban and How to Protect Yourself

4/12/2018 (Permalink)

At home:

• Avoid cooking outdoors during a drought season. If you do cook, never leave barbeque grills unattended. Place your grill on concrete or your driveway away from your home or any structures. If using charcoal or wood, make sure that the fire has been extinguished by soaking it with a garden hose before disposing of the coals.
• During this time, do not burn household trash in barrels. Check lawnmowers and farm equipment for properly working spark arresters.
• Mow lawn at least 30-50 feet away from your house and water to create defensible space.
• Cut back or remove any dry and dead landscaping plants or bushes around your home. Clear leaves from your roof and gutters; rake them away from the sides of your home.
• Move anything that will burn far away from structures, items like firewood, compost piles, brush piles, etc.
• Notify the electric company when dead trees or overhanging limbs endanger the electric wires.

 Fire Safety for you:

• Practice fire safety with your family. If you see suspicious fire or smoke, call 911.
• Clearly mark driveway entrances with address and street names.
• Plan escape routes away from your home by car and foot. Have a meeting place with your family.