Always maintain a close eye on outdoor fires and stay in the close proximity until the fire is completely out. While preparing to burn anything out doors, make sure that you have water and hand tools near by in case your fire attempts to spread. Burn household items in an appropriate barrel or container with a screen or metal grate to keep all burning materials contained. Always remember to never try to burn aerosol cans; heated cans will explode.
In Summary:
• always check for any burn bans that may be in place in Williamson county
• Try to avoid burning outdoors on drier than normal and windy days
• Check the local news to see if there is any forecasted weather changes such as shifts in wind directions, high winds, or heavy wind gust
• Always maintain a close eye on outdoor fires and stay in the close proximity until the fire is completely out
• While preparing to burn anything out doors, make sure that you have water and hand tools near by in case your fire attempts to spread
• Always remember to never burn aerosol cans; heated cans will explode

For more information and safety tips, visit the Hutto Fire Department website at www.huttofirerescue.org

More 20 percent of residential fires are related to the use of supplemental room heaters, such as wood and coal burning stoves, kerosene heaters, gas space heaters, and electric heaters. You can reduce the chances that your family will experience a home fire by following some simple guidelines on the installation and use of these appliances.

Install Safety

Most of the fires related to supplemental heating appliances are caused by improper installation, maintenance, or use of the appliances. Appliances should be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Wood stoves should sit on a non-combustible surface or on a code-specified or listed floor protector. Fireplaces should have noncombustible materials around the opening and hearth. Space heaters should be placed on a firm surface out of the way so that they won’t be tipped over and spill fuel or have hot surfaces come in contact with combustible flooring. Many space heater fires are caused by the heater being tipped over by children or pets. Combustibles such as clothing, curtains, chairs, firewood, and even walls should be at least three feet away from the appliance.

Use Safely

Careful operation is crucial to occupant safety. Use only fuels appropriate for the appliance. Use coal only if specifically approved by the stove manufacturer. Gasoline or other flammable liquids should never be used to start a wood fire since it might explode or flare up. Never use gasoline in kerosene heaters. Even small amounts of gasoline mixed with kerosene can increase the risk of fire. The directions on artificial logs made from wax and sawdust say they should be used one at a time in fireplaces and never used in wood stoves. This is because the heat can melt the log causing it to flare up or leak burning liquid from the appliance, Pressure-treated wood should not be burned in stoves or fireplaces because it contains toxic chemicals that can in make you sick. Always use a fireplace screen to keep sparks from igniting materials in the room, Keep a window ajar or the door open in a room where an un-vented heater is in use. Do not use extension cords with electric heaters, plug then directly into a wall socket, never use heaters to dry clothing or other combustibles. Do not leave fireplaces or most space heaters unattended. Young children should be kept away from any appliance that has hot surfaces that can cause burns.

Vents and chimneys for heating appliances must be installed with proper clearances to combustible materials. Typically, 18 inches of air space is required between single-wall connector pipes and combustibles and 2 inches between insulated chimneys and combustibles. A common fire problem exists where chimney pipes pass through exterior walls and are too close to combustibles within the wall. Un-vented gas-fired space heaters should not be used in small enclosed areas, especially bedrooms, because of the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning.

Maintain Carefully

Chimneys and vents should be inspected and cleaned annually. Have chimneys inspected and cleaned when necessary by a professional chimney sweep. Creosote is an unavoidable product of wood-burning stoves and fireplaces. Creosote builds up in connectors and chimney flues and can cause a chimney fire. Don’t burn newspapers or other trash in a fireplace because they burn too hot and can ignite a chimney fire. Kerosene heaters should be cleaned and wicks replaced annually. Also the coils on electric heaters should be cleaned before being used for the first time each season. Electric heaters with frayed or damaged cords should never be used.

Hutto Fire/Rescue would like to thank the Edinburg Volunteer Fire Department – Edinburg, TX for parts of this article.

Your smoke alarm has the power to save your life. Or does it? If you haven’t tested your smoke alarm lately, it may not be working. And that’s a risk you can’t afford to take. Working smoke alarms give us early warning of a fire, providing extra time to escape safely. But they can’t do their job if we haven’t done ours – monthly testing to make sure they’re working. Test all the smoke alarms in your home. For the life of the alarm and for the lives of your loved ones.

When was the last time you tested your smoke alarms?

Last month? Last year? Can’t remember? If you’re not sure your smoke alarms are working, then how can you be sure you’ll be protected if a fire breaks out? Don’t gamble with your life and assume your smoke alarms are working. Test each one, every month, so you’ll know they’ll be ready to protect you and your family if there’s a fire. Test your alarm for life.

Do you have the time?

Can you afford to spend a few minutes each month to test the smoke alarms in your home? Can you afford not to? Going without the protection of a working smoke alarm is a risk too dangerous to take. In a fire, you’ll need every second to get out safely, and the early warning from a smoke alarm can make the difference between surviving a fire and dying in one. Test your smoke alarms today. You can’t afford not to.