Fire Safety during a drought Part 2

10/9/2020 (Permalink)

Fire Safety during a drought part 2!

We've experienced a very dry Spring and Summer this year. It's very important to remember to be cautious while your out and about and when doing yard work around your home. It only takes a spark to trigger a fire that could have devastating consequences.

According to WMUR, Most of northern New England is in the midst of a drought
after three months of low rainfall.

The State Drought Monitor maintained by
the University of Nebraska lists most of Maine and New Hampshire as facing "severe drought" and "moderate drought" conditions.

In our previous blog we discussed fire safety during a drought and how to prevent fires from occurring..This is a follow up to our original discussion! Onto part 2 of Fire Safety!!

Here are more measures that we can take to prevent fires..

Store your firewood safely

Stack firewood at least 15 feet away and uphill from your home.

Cook Safely Outdoors

If you are someone that enjoys barbecuing during the Fall as well as the Summer, here are some tips to keep it safe: Maintain a 10-foot brush free zone around outdoor grills and propane tanks. If using a charcoal grill, it is recommended that you place leftover ashes in a metal container and douse with water.

NEVER leave any grill unattended.

Fall means Football and outdoor events! 

Where you park your car makes a difference. If possible, do not park vehicles and other motorized vehicles on or near dry grass or shrubbery.

Exhaust systems can exceed the 500 degrees that it takes to start a brush fire.

Have a Fire extinguisher on hand

Having a fire extinguisher and other fire suppressing tools on you at all times is important during times of drought. Some helpful tools can be a shovel, bucket (for water) and a hose that can reach around your home and outlying areas.

Cigarettes and Cigars can be big fire starters if thrown out of a car window or tossed onto grass.

Teach children and everyone in your home fire safety and have a safety plan in place.

Teach children about the dangers of playing with fire and make sure that they know what to do in case of a fire! Including a fire evacuation plan.

Planning for a fire today can save a life tomorrow!