1. Cushing Fire Chief Dalton Novotny said to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home and inside bedrooms advising to note the required level of CO to trigger the alarm, “some manufacturers allow higher levels of CO before the alarm sounds. The lower the detection threshold the better protection it provides”. North 48 Fire Chief Keith Buntin said to remember to check all detection systems monthly to ensure they are working properly.
2. Always have a home fire escape plan for your family that you regularly practice. Buntin said to know two ways out of every room and pick a meeting spot outside when creating your plan. “Modern homes can fill with smoke and become deadly in as little as two to three minutes,” he said — so prepare before an emergency happens.
3. Silver City Fire Chief Brett Whitten said to make sure that your address is visible from the road. “Especially at night,” said Buntin. “It helps firefighters and EMS find you faster during emergencies.”
4. Buntin said “wind is the number one reason controlled burns turn into wildfires” so avoid burning if wind is blowing steadily or gusting.
5. Rain or snow does not necessarily mean it is safe to burn. “Fire fuels can dry out quickly and fires can smolder under ash or inside logs for hours and reignite later. Many wildfires start from burn piles that people thought were already out,” said Buntin.
6. Buntin said to notify local fire departments before burning at any time “so they know it’s a controlled burn and not an emergency”.
7. Be fire-wise by clearing property of fire hazards such as grass and wood piles and ensure your property is accessible to emergency vehicles. “We can’t just drive through forest to get to homes,” said Whitten.
8. Never leave cooking or stovetops unattended, said Novotny. 9. Follow safety instructions when setting up appliances. Novotny recommended keeping space heaters at least three feet away from combustible materials. Buntin said to be careful with extension cords as well because overloading them by plugging in multiple high-power appliances can start an electrical fire.
10. “Never smoke in bed” said Novotny.