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Clean Up for a Fire Safe
Environment
Spring has sprung! The gloom and dreariness of winter is fast becoming a
memory and many of us are busy with spring cleaning projects. This is the time
of year we begin to cook outdoors, gas up our mowers and trimmers and start
those outdoor projects.
Some of those other activities might involve gasoline, paint thinners, and
flammable materials. Think about the increased danger of such products as you
use them. Treat flammable liquids with respect for they are always ready to
ignite -- all they need are a static spark, electrical arc, or other source of
ignition.
Here are a few tips that will make your home and garden fire-safe:
- Place your outdoor cooking equipment on a non-combustible base if at all
possible and keep it away from materials, which will readily ignite.
- Clear a 10-foot area around propane tanks and the barbecue.
- Place a screen or other type of cover over the grill -- use non-flammable
material with mesh no coarser than one-quarter inch.
- When dumping ashes, put them in a metal bucket and either soak in water or
let stand for several days before disposing of them.
- Remove leaves and rubbish from around and under wooden decks or porches,
beneath windows, or next to vehicles.
- Rake up leaves, dead limbs and twigs. Remove dead branches that extend
over the roof. Prune tree branches and shrubs within 15 feet of a stovepipe or
chimney outlet
- Mow grass regularly.
- Store gasoline, oily rags and other flammable materials in approved safety
cans. Place cans in a safe location away from the base of buildings.
- Regularly clean roofs and gutters.
- Inspect chimneys at least twice a year. Clean them at least once a year.
Keep the dampers in good working order. Equip chimneys and stovepipes with an
approved spark arrester.
- Use half-inch mesh screen beneath porches, decks, floor areas and the home
itself. Also screen openings to floors, roof and attic.
- Check your smoke detectors to make sure the batteries are fresh and check
your fire extinguishers to make sure they are still charged.
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