Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces are becoming an important feature of many residential back yards. They are relatively inexpensive and provide ambiance and relaxation during a cool evening. Available in a variety of shapes and sizes, they can be as simple as a metal bowl with a protective screen, the popular chimineas or more elaborate and expensive outdoor fireplaces. Both the Ohio Fire Code and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency permit these types of open burning with restrictions.

1. Recreational “small” fires must be confined to an approved outdoor container if the open burn is within 50 feet of a structure.

2.  The container keeps the size of the fire to less than three feet in width and no higher than two feet as required by the fire code and EPA.

3.  The small fire is controlled by the burn container, which reduces the fire exposure risk to nearby structures.

When it comes time to use your fire pit etc., here are some important tips to keep in mind.

• The fire pit or approved container must be at least 15 feet away from any structure or combustible surface that can catch fire. This minimal distance is per national, state and local fire code requirements for open burning in approved containers.

•Avoid windy conditions that can blow hot embers onto combustible surfaces. It’s possible that conditions in Ohio could prompt burn bans depending on dry weather conditions.

•Remove leaves and other combustible materials around the pit to ensure the fire doesn’t accidentally spread.

•Always have a container of water nearby and a garden hose on standby before starting the fire.

• Do not use lighter fluid, kerosene or gasoline to start a fire because of the risks of severe burn injuries. Instead, place a crumpled piece of paper or cardboard or a store-bought fire starter and cover with kindling. As the wood catches fire, add larger pieces until you’re able to add a dry seasoned log or two.

• Keep children and pets a minimum of three feet from the open burn.

• Extinguish a fire by spreading the ashes over a large surface area to cool. Then, pour water over them to make sure they are completely extinguished Ashes can re-ignite.

• If you have a fire that escapes your fire pit and moves into a nearby pile of kindling or a combustible surface, call 9-1-1 immediately.

• Check your home insurance policy to ensure that you’re properly covered when using an approved outdoor fire container.

• Permanent outdoor fireplaces can present zoning issues if there are existing deed restrictions and/or property set back requirements which restrict any type of structure constructed.

• Keep in mind that outdoor fire containers can produce smoke pollutants, which can be a health hazard to you and your neighbors. They can also produce smoke scares during night- time hours, if the source of the smoke is not readily apparent. These calls are treated as potential fires, commiting firefighters and equipment until the source of the smoke is identified.

Article Credits: Fire Marshal Alan Perkins, CFPS, is a 32-year veteran of the fire service. A Certified Fire Protection Specialist through the National Fire Protection Association and a member of several similar safety organizations. Perkins is the Fire Marshal for the Washington Township Fire Department, Dublin, Ohio. For more information, contact: Leslie Dybiec, Public Information Officer Phone: (614) 652-3928 Fax: (614) 766-2507 or ldybiec@wtwp.com

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making and fire and life safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. Live Safe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. Live Safe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

Because emergency response crews need to find addresses as quickly as possible when called, they often rely on house numbers for quick reference. If the numbers on your home are not easy to find or read, it will take longer for crews to reach you. Victims of heart attack, stroke, or choking need immediate care. Minutes can mean the difference between life and death.

House numbers should meet the following requirements:

•        Must be Arabic numerals. Fancy numbers or numbers that are spelled out may be aesthetically pleasing but are very difficult to read from the street.

•        Need to be a minimum of four inches high and in a contrasting color to their immediate background. Brass or bronze numbers are difficult to see in the day or nighttime.

•        Must be displayed on the front of the dwelling and visible from the street.

•        If the dwelling is located more than 45 feet from the front lot line, the number should be displayed on a gate post, fence, mailbox, or other appropriate place that will make it visible from the street from all directions when approaching from the street.

•        Cannot be obstructed by shrubs, trees, decorations, etc.

Take a moment to look at your house number. Make sure your numbers follow the above guidelines. It will help emergency crews find you easier and faster.

For more information about the requirements for house numbers in the City of Dublin, Ohio, consult the City’s building code ordinance #150.125 (Manner of Numbering and System) and the Washington Township Fire Code Section 505.1 (Address Numbers).

Article Credits: Fire Marshal Alan Perkins, CFPS, is a 32-year veteran of the fire service. A Certified Fire Protection Specialist through the National Fire Protection Association and a member of several similar safety organizations. Perkins is the Fire Marshal for the Washington Township Fire Department, Dublin, Ohio. For more information, contact: Leslie Dybiec, Public Information Officer Phone: (614) 652-3928 Fax: (614) 766-2507 or ldybiec@wtwp.com.

Images: Courtesy of Google Images

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making and fire and life safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. Live Safe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. Live Safe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

In most homes and apartments, emergency exits are usually windows and stairways. Make sure windows can be opened and screens and storm windows can be removed from the inside. Confirm that children can operate the window locks and know how to get out quickly. If they cannot get out, they should know to wait for help at the window, where firefighters can see them.

If bedrooms are on the second floor, have a folding escape ladder available and practice putting it in the window. Non-combustible escape ladders that have been tested and listed by an independent testing laboratory are available from most hardware stores. Don’t count on being able to create a ladder by tying bed sheets together. There is usually not enough time or enough bed sheets nearby and jumping from a second story window can cause severe injuries.

If you live in an apartment or condominium and enclosed stairways are your emergency exits, practice finding these in the dark. Count the number of doors from your bedroom to the exit stairway. You probably won’t be able to see the lighted exit sign above the doorway through the smoke. Keep the doors to all exit stairways closed to help prevent smoke from entering your escape route.

Generate as many different escape routes for your family as possible and practice all of them at least twice a year. Always choose the escape route that is safest, the one with the least amount of smoke and heat. When you do your fire drill, everyone should practice getting low and going under the smoke to your emergency exit. Practicing can help reduce your family members’ response time, an important factor in a fire situation. When time is short, fast action is needed.

If your family does not have a home fire escape plan, contact the Washington Township Fire Department at 614-652-3920 for information.

Article Credits: Fire Marshal Alan Perkins, CFPS, is a 32-year veteran of the fire service. A Certified Fire Protection Specialist through the National Fire Protection Association and a member of several similar safety organizations. Perkins is the Fire Marshal for the Washington Township Fire Department, Dublin, Ohio. For more information, contact: Leslie Dybiec, Public Information Officer Phone: (614) 652-3928 Fax: (614) 766-2507 or ldybiec@wtwp.com.

Images: Courtesy of Google Images and www.nfpa.org/…/ ClearEscapeRoutes.jpg

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making fire safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. Live Safe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. Live Safe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

“This study strongly underscores the need to aggressively work to reduce the number of home fires in this country in order to save lives from fire,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of communications for NFPA.

During the period of 2003-2007, U.S. fire departments responded to approximately 380,000 home fires a year. These fires not only caused a large number of civilian deaths, they also caused an average of 13,160 reported civilian fire injuries and $6.4 billion in direct property damage.

From 2003-2007, smoking materials caused the largest number of fire deaths. Heating equipment was the second leading cause of home fires and home fire deaths.

The leading cause of home structure fires, civilian fire injuries, and unreported fires continues to be cooking equipment. Forty-one percent of home fires started in the kitchen area and caused 15 percent of the home fire deaths and 36 percent of the reported fire injuries.

Other key findings include:

• Reported home fires peaked around dinner hours of 5 to 8 p.m.
• Only 20 percent of the reported home fires occurred between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., however 52 percent of home fire deaths resulted from fires reported during these hours.
• Thirty percent of reported home structure fires and 38 percent of home fire deaths occurred in the quarter including December, January, and February.
• Reported apartment fires were more likely to start in the kitchen than fires in one- and two-family homes.
• The two leading items first ignited in home fire deaths are upholstered furniture in 21 percent of home fire deaths, followed by mattress and bedding in 13 percent of the deaths.

Properly installed and maintained fire protection can prevent most fire deaths. Forty percent of fatal home fire injuries occurred in properties where no smoke alarms were present. Home fire sprinklers can also help, as the death rate per 1,000 reported home fires was 83 percent lower when wet pipe sprinkler systems were present, compared to reported home fires without automatic extinguishing equipment.

“Smoke alarms have been a key factor in significantly reducing the fire death problem since their widespread use beginning in the ‘70s,” Carli said. “The move to require home fire sprinklers in new homes will be the next step forward in fire protection.”

NFPA offers these safety tips to prevent home structure fires from occurring:

• Keep anything that can catch fire—oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains—away from the stovetop.
• Keep anything that can burn, such as paper, bedding, or furniture, at least three feet away from heating equipment and have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around stoves, open fires, and space heaters.
• Remember to turn off portable heaters when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Smoke alarm accessories are available for people who are hard of hearing. These accessories activate from the sound of traditional smoke alarms and produce a complex low frequency alarm signal, more effective at waking those with mild to severe hearing loss.

For the complete list of safety tips, visit www.nfpa.org/safetytips.

Article Credits: www.nfpa.org

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making fire safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. Live Safe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. Live Safe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

• Use charcoal lighter or fluid on coals only before you start the fire. Never use gasoline to start or revive a fire. Gasoline in its liquid or vapor form can ignite and cause severe burns.
• Keep damp or wet coals in a well-ventilated area. During the drying process, spontaneous combustion can occur in confined spaces. If a bag of charcoal gets wet, leave it outside and away from the house.
• Use grills where they will not tip over or ignite objects above them. Do not use them on balconies or under awnings. Over one third (33%) of all gas grill and charcoal grill home fires begin on an exterior balcony or unenclosed porch. Keep grills outside of tents and recreational vehicles.
• Never use a grill in the home. The carbon monoxide produced by burning charcoal can be dangerous in an enclosed space.
• Never leave a lighted grill unattended.
• Have a container of water or garden hose ready to extinguish a fire.
• Keep children away from fires and grills. They may try to climb on the grill to see what is cooking.
• Though coals may appear cold, always soak them after cooking. Carefully douse the coals with water, avoiding splashing and splatters form a garden hose and keep your body clear of steam and smoke.
  

  Grilling Safety

• If you use a grill fueled by liquid propane (LP), check all fuel line connections periodically for leaks by coating them with a solution of soap and water and watching for bubbles, an indicator of a leak.
• Light LP-fueled gas grills according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Turn off burner valves and the supply valve on the gas cylinder or tank when the grill in not in use. Never store an LP-fueled grill indoors.
• Make sure you have long-handled grilling tools on hand to give the chef at your house plenty of clearance from heat and flames when flipping burgers.
• If you need to treat a burn, cool it with cool, not cold, water immediately. Cover the burn with a clean cloth and seek emergency help.

Article Credits: Fire Marshal Alan Perkins, CFPS, is a 32-year veteran of the fire service. A Certified Fire Protection Specialist through the National Fire Protection Association and a member of several similar safety organizations. Perkins is the Fire Marshal for the Washington Township Fire Department, Dublin, Ohio. For more information, contact: Leslie Dybiec, Public Information Officer Phone: (614) 652-3928 Fax: (614) 766-2507 or ldybiec@wtwp.com.

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making fire safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. Live Safe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. Live Safe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

Smoke also contains another poisonous gas called carbon monoxide. This tasteless, odorless gas causes confusion, reduced mental capacity and eventually death.  If impaired by carbon monoxide poisoning, victims will likely be challenged to find an escape route or make a sound decision about their safety. Knowing how to avoid smoke is one of the most important factors in surviving a fire.

Smoke is lighter than air so it rises above air. During a fire, the superheated air and smoke fill the room from the top down. Some poisonous smoke may settle near the floor, but in between is a safety zone of breathable air about one to two feet above the floor.

To prevent smoke inhalation, crawl on your hands and knees to your exit, keeping your head in the safety zone. Firefighters use this same method when navigating a building where smoke is present.

Getting an early warning to the presence of smoke can give you the few vital minutes you need to get out safely. Smoke alarms are designed to do just that.  They give you the precious time you need to implement your escape plan and crawl under the smoke to safety.

Line of Duty” Author: Fire Marshal Alan Perkins, CFPS, is a 32-year veteran of the fire service. A Certified Fire Protection Specialist through the National Fire Protection Association and a member of several similar safety organizations. Perkins is the Fire Marshal for the Washington Township Fire Department, Dublin, Ohio. For more information, contact: Leslie Dybiec, Public Information Officer Phone: (614) 652-3928 Fax: (614) 766-2507 or ldybiec@wtwp.com.

LiveSafe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making fire safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. LiveSafe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. LiveSafe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

• Plug in only as many appliances as an outlet can support directly. Do not use un-fused, multi-plug adapters or power strips as the electrical circuit may not be able to support the demand for that amount of current.
• Use extension cords only for temporary portable equipment, not in place of your home’s permanent wiring. Equipment supplied with electricity by an extension cord must have a lower amperage rating than that of the extension cord. Using an extension cord for a portable heater, which requires a lot of amperage, could cause the extension cord to overheat at the cord end and outlet and start a fire.
• Replace or have repaired by an electrician any frayed, split, cracked or otherwise damaged cords. Damaged cords can cause a short in the circuit, heat up, and start a fire. Wrapping electrical tape around a damaged cord may not repair it.
• When removing an electrical cord from an outlet, grasp on the plug portion instead of the cord.
• Do not lay cords under rugs, over nails or hooks, or through doorways or windows where they may get smashed, cut or split and cause a fire or shock hazard.
• If you have small children in your home, cover unused electrical outlets with plastic safety caps.
• Use bulbs that match the recommended wattage for that appliance or light fixture. Bulbs with wattages in excess of what is recommended may give off enough heat to start a fire.
• If outlets or switch boxes are cracked or discolored, turn the circuit off and have them checked by an electrician. They may need to be replaced.
• Keep heat-generating appliances and light bulbs away from anything flammable. Allow sufficient space around stereos, televisions and computers to prevent over-heating.
• Purchase appliances and cords with the UL (Underwriters Laboratories) or FM (Factory Mutual) label indicating they have been tested for safety.
• Consider having additional circuits and outlets added to your home by an electrician, especially if you are using extension cords and power strips. The price tag will not be near what an electrical fire would cost in money and lives.

Line of Duty” Author: Fire Marshal Alan Perkins, CFPS, is a 32-year veteran of the fire service. A Certified Fire Protection Specialist through the National Fire Protection Association and a member of several similar safety organizations. Perkins is working with the Ohio Fire Officials Association for state law mandating photoelectric or equivalent smoke detection technology in new residential construction. Perkins is the Fire Marshal for the Washington Township Fire Department, Dublin, Ohio. For more information, contact: Leslie Dybiec, Public Information Officer Phone: (614) 652-3928 Fax: (614) 766-2507 or ldybiec@wtwp.com.

LiveSafe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making fire safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. LiveSafe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. LiveSafe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

You probably know that you need to clean off your dryer’s lint screen before each use, but you may not know that lint can also build up in the dryer’s vent and decrease efficiency. Any exhaust that is clear of lint and other debris allows heat, moisture and carbon monoxide to leave your home, but build-up can add to your utility bill, cause more wear and tear to your clothes and shorten the lifespan of your dryer; it can also create such potentially hazardous conditions as carbon monoxide intrusion and the possibility of fire.

To prevent any of these from happening, you should have a certified technician inspect and clean your dryer’s vent, exhaust and duct. To find a certified professional, visit the Chimney Safety Institute of America’s (CSIA) website at www.csia.org.

ReLintless

Images: Google images, www.cartoonstock.com

LiveSafe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making fire safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. LiveSafe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable.  LiveSafe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

• Clean the lint filter in the dryer before or after each use because accumulated dust and lint can be a fire hazard. Do not operate the dryer without the filter. Also, remove accumulated lint around the drum.
• Make sure that the dryer is plugged into an outlet suitable for its electrical needs as overloaded electrical outlets can result in blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers.
• Verify that the exhaust vent pipe is not restricted by snow, leaves, or other materials and the outdoor vent flap will open when the dryer is operating. Rigid or flexible metal venting material should be used to sustain proper air flow and drying time.
• Do not leave the dryer running if you leave your home because, if it malfunctions, no one will be there to avert a possible disaster.
• Keep the dryer area clear of combustibles such as boxes and clothing.
• Never dry items that have come in contact with flammable substances such as cooking oil, gasoline, paint thinner or alcohol. Even after washing, clothing can still contain residues that can ignite.
• Have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional.

It is important to keep dryers in good working order to avoid problems associated with lack of maintenance and part failures. Gas dryers should be occasionally inspected by a professional to ensure that the gas line and connection are intact and free of leaks.

“Line of Duty” Author: Fire Marshal Alan Perkins, CFPS, Washington Township Fire Department, Dublin, Ohio. For more information, contact: Leslie Dybiec, Public Information Officer Phone: (614) 652-3928 Fax: (614) 766-2507 or ldybiec@wtwp.com.

LiveSafe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making fire safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. LiveSafe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable.  LiveSafe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

The National Fire Protection Association states that heating equipment, like space heaters, are the No. 1 cause of home fires during December, January and February and the second-leading cause of home fires year-round. Most accidents involving space heaters are the result of human error – heaters are placed too close to combustible material like drapes and furniture, or they have not been properly maintained.

Don’t end up a statistic. Follow these tips and share them with your friends and family:

• Give space heaters their space. Space heaters pose a higher risk of fire and death than central heating systems. Keep the space heater at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including walls.
• Unplug the heater every time you leave the room and when you go to bed.
• Plug electric-powered space heaters into an outlet with sufficient capacity and never into an extension cord.
• Make sure the plug fits snugly in the outlet, since a loose plug can overheat. If you’re using the space heater in the bathroom, be sure to use a ground-fault circuit interrupter. Remember, electricity and water do not mix.
• Don’t hide the cord under a rug or carpet. This can cause the cord to overheat and start a fire.
• Keep it stable. Don’t put your space heater on plush carpet or other surfaces where the space heater may tip over easily.
• Check the tag. Make sure an independent testing laboratory (Underwriters Laboratories) has approved your new space heater.

To conserve energy, try to keep your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower. Space heaters should be on timers when you’re at home. Use programmable thermostats to lower temperatures automatically when you’re not at home, leave drapes or curtains open to take advantage of solar heat, and throw an extra blanket on the bed rather than turn up the heat. As a rule of thumb, heating and cooling are responsible for 40 percent of energy use in the home. Stay safe and warm, but conserve where you can.

For more information about NFPA, please visit their website at www.NFPA.org.

LiveSafe Foundation is a non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making fire safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. LiveSafe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable.  LiveSafe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.