As warmer weather rolls into town and citizens begin working in the yard, cutting grass, cooking and grilling outside, fire officials want to take this opportunity to remind you that your safety is job # 1. As we crank-up the old lawnmower and weed eaters, we need to think about our own safety and the protection of our families and property. Summer is a busy time for most families and creates many opportunities for fires to occur.
Past history highlights the need for safety awareness and common sense when using gasoline powered equipment and flammable liquids. The Eastwood Fire Protection District wants to highlight several areas that you can prevent a needless tragedy from happening!
Lawn equipment, gasoline and open flames do not mix.
Each year the fire department responds to preventable fires involving the combination of flammable liquids, water heaters and gasoline powered lawn equipment. Do not store lawn equipment or flammable liquids like gasoline in a storage area with water heaters or furnaces. This gasoline powered lawn equipment when hot, can give off flammable vapors that can ignite when refueling or come in contact with an open flame from a water heater. Keep lawn equipment and gasoline stored in an out side storage building away from your home.
Be careful with smoking materials.
Establish a no smoking zone in storage areas and encourage others not to smoke around these areas. Do not smoke in bed or when drowsy or under the influence of alcohol or other medications. Be careful with the use of candles and lamps.
Storage of flammable, combustible liquids and hazardous materials.
Most homeowners do not read the labels and follow safe storage practices when it comes to paints, camping fuels, propane cylinders and other hazardous materials. Do not mix storage of hazardous and flammable materials together and read labels so as to store these materials safely.
Get rid of combustible storage.
Spring & summer is a great time to go through the attic, storage closets and sheds to get rid of old non-usable items that could be a fire hazard, such as newspapers and magazines, old clothes. Removal of these items reduces the fuel load in your home and decreases the chances of larger fire involving these items
Grilling and cooking outside can cause fires.
Each year multiple fires happen due to carelessness with charcoal and gas grills. You should not grill or cook within 10 feet vertically and horizontally of any combustible structure or deck. Grills should be placed on a firm flat service away from pine needles grass or other vegetation. Do not discard coals from charcoal grills until you are sure that they are out.
Outside burning is prohibited.
It is against the law to burn limbs and other debris in Metro Louisville.
Fireworks and discarded smoking materials can cause injuries and brush fires.
Each year many fires are accidentally started by misuse of fireworks in grass vegetation. Supervise children when fireworks are involved to prevent fires and injuries form occurring. Discard smoking materials properly in ashtrays and avoid throwing them out the car window to help prevent grass and brush fires.
Spring and summer can be an exciting and busy time for the citizens of Louisville The Eastwood Fire Protection District asks that you take precautions to insure your safety as well as prevent that "next fire" from occurring
