General Fire Prevention Safety Tips

Yard Waste Burning Requirements

• Any yard waste must fit in an 8-foot diameter pile or noncombustible container.
• The fire must be ignited after 8 a.m. CT/9 a.m. ET and must be extinguished one hour before sunset.
• The fire must be 25 feet from your home, woods, brush or other combustible structures.
• The fire must be 50 feet from a paved public road.
• The fire must be 150 feet from other occupied buildings.

Yard Waste Burning Reminders

• Burning household garbage is illegal. This includes paper products, treated lumber, plastics, rubber materials, tires, pesticides, paint and aerosol containers. You can only legally burn yard waste.

Consider the weather and conditions:

• Never burn on windy days. Refrain from burning yard waste during dry weather.
• Avoid burning during periods of high fire danger.
• Refrain from burning immediately following a storm and seek alternative removal methods.

Check local restrictions (homeowners association, city, county) to ensure there are no restrictions on burning in your area.

Prepare the surrounding area:

• Clear an area down to bare soil around your pile to prevent the fire from spreading.
• If using a noncombustible container, cover with wire mesh to keep sparks from flying out and starting new fires.
• Always keep a shovel and water hose nearby.
• Never leave a fire unattended.
• If your fire escapes, you may be liable for costs of suppression and damage to the property of others.
• Piles greater than 8 feet in diameter require an authorization from the Florida Forest Service as well as suppression equipment and additional restrictions.

Statistics from the Fire Protection Research Foundation indicate that communities with an aggressive fire prevention program are likely to be involved in 75% less structure fires, 90% less injuries, and 70% less property damage. It is clear that fire suppression activities are not the only way to combat fires: a well-planned and executed fire prevention and inspection program is a less expensive and more effective way to accomplish the goal of the fire service.

Our goal is to minimize the risk of life and property loss from fire by controlling and eliminating hazardous conditions combined with a proactive public education program before a fire occurs.

Did You Know?

1. Fire deaths are most common in the age groups of 0-5 and 65 and older.
2. Nationwide there is a fire death every 130 minutes.
3. Careless smoking is the number one cause of home fire deaths.
4. Most home fires occur during sleeping hours. (11 PM – 6 AM)
5. One or more smoke alarms can double your family’s safety.

Get Your Free Smoke Alarm Check Through Project Wake Up!

This program is aimed at improving fire safety within the homes of the elderly and disabled. This is achieved through providing a free home fire safety check and the installation of a free smoke alarm where required.

Through this program, a free fire safety check will include the following things:

• Checking your smoke alarm(s) to ensure they work;
• The replacement of smoke alarm batteries, if required;
• The installation of smoke alarms in recommended locations in your home, if required; and
• A visual fire safety check will also be conducted to identify any dangers related to fire safety in your home.

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Everyone should review these basic fire prevention tips below!

1. Install smoke detectors:
   • A working smoke alarm can detect a small fire and provide crucial minutes necessary to prevent a tragedy from occurring in your home. Approximately 90% of all homes have at least one smoke alarm. However, surveys show that 20% do not work because the battery is either dead or missing.
2. Have fire extinguishers:
   • Keep fire extinguishers in easily accessible locations, such as the kitchen, garage, or near electrical equipment. Learn how to use them properly and have them regularly inspected.
3. Create a fire escape plan:
   • Develop and practice a fire escape plan with your family or employees. Identify multiple escape routes and establish a designated meeting point outside the building.
4. Maintain electrical safety:
   • Avoid overloading electrical outlets and power strips. Regularly inspect cords and plugs for damage and replace frayed or damaged ones immediately. Hire a professional electrician for any electrical repairs or installations.
5. Be cautious with open flames:
   • Keep candles, matches, lighters, and other open flames away from flammable materials. Never leave them unattended and make sure they are fully extinguished before leaving the room or going to bed.
6. Practice safe cooking:
   • Stay attentive while cooking and never leave the stove or oven unattended. Keep flammable items, such as kitchen towels and potholders, away from heat sources. Clean grease build up regularly from cooking appliances.
7. Store flammable materials properly:
   • Store flammable liquids, such as gasoline, paint thinners, and cleaning agents, in well-ventilated areas away from ignition sources. Follow manufacturer instructions for proper storage.
8. Regularly maintain heating systems:
   • Have heating systems, including furnaces, chimneys, and space heaters, inspected and cleaned annually by a professional. Keep flammable materials away from heating equipment.
9. Properly discard cigarettes:
   • If you smoke, ensure that cigarettes and smoking materials are properly extinguished in designated ashtrays. Avoid smoking indoors and never dispose of smoking materials in the trash without fully extinguishing them.
10. Keep an organized and clean environment:
    • Maintain a clutter-free environment in both residential and commercial spaces. Dispose of rubbish and debris properly to minimize fire hazards and allow for easy evacuation.
11. Educate and train occupants:
    • Educate family members, employees, and occupants about fire safety procedures, including evacuation routes, the proper use of fire extinguishers, and emergency contact information.
12. Install fire-resistant materials:
    • Consider using fire-resistant building materials, such as fire-rated doors and windows, to reduce the spread of fire in both homes and businesses.

Remember, fire prevention is crucial, but it’s equally important to have working smoke alarms and an evacuation plan in place to ensure everyone’s safety in the event of a fire.

Fire Extinguisher Training

This training consist of interactive information presented to an audience on how to use a fire extinguisher, the different types of extinguishers available, which type is more suitable for your home/work and where to store an extinguisher.

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Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention

This program consists of aid for 2-18 year-old children who are in need of fire safety education in order to understand the dangers and consequences of fire play.

Crowd Manager Fire Safety Program

In accordance with the Fire Prevention Code including 2006 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, Sections 12.7.6.1/13.7.6.1, establishes with an occupant load of at least 50 people shall have at least one crowd manager. The job of a crowd manager is to see that everyone entering the establishment stays safe by controlling groups of people at clubs, conventions and other gatherings, and making sure that facilities are equipped to handle such crowds.

Crowd managers are required by law for all assembly occupancies! This class cost $10.00 per person. If anyone is interested in this class, please call 239-657-2111 to register for am or pm class. Classes are held at the Fire Station located at 502 East New Market Road.

Burn Permits

Please note you must obtain a permit to burn any yard trash. Please contact (239) 657-2111 for Burn Permit Authorization.

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• (239) 657-9489

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5368 Useppa Drive
Ave Maria, FL 34142