Safety Tips

Defensible Space Tips

  • Keep roof clear of flammable debris
  • Do not stack firewood next to structure
  • Keep flammable vegetation and materials 10 feet from propane tanks
  • Have an outdoor water supply available, with hoses and nozzles capable of reaching all parts of the structure
  • Provide driveway clearance of 16 ft W x 12ft H
  • Be sure driveway address is marked with reflective signs clearly visible from two directions. For more information contact OCFD6 personnel at
    996-2227

Tips For Avoiding Chimney Fires

  • Defensible SpaceUse only seasoned wood to build your fires
  • Build smaller, hotter fires that burn more completely and produce less smoke
  • Never burn wrapping paper, cardboard, or other trash in your fireplace or wood stove
  • Install stovepipe thermometers to monitor temperatures, and adjust burning practices as necessary
  • Have your chimney inspected regularly and cleaned when needed

Winter Driving Emergency Kit

  • Cell phone with vehicle charger
  • Blankets, warm clothes, gloves & hats
  • Small shovel, and sand or cat litter
  • Jumper cables
  • Flashlight, headlamp, with good batteries
  • Quality tow strap
  • Properly sized tire chains
  • First aid kit
  • Non perishable food and drink
  • Ice scrapper with brush
  • Emergency triangles or other warning devices

Cooking Tips

  • Always stay in kitchen while cooking.
  • Keep flammable items at least 3 feet from your range top.
  • Roll up sleeves and wear oven mitts.  Loose clothes can catch fire.  If clothes do catch fire, stop, drop, and roll.
  • Turn pot handle in to prevent small children from pulling them down.
  • Keep children and pets away from the range when anyone is cooking.
  • To prevent scalds, turn your hot water heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
  Cooking video  

 

 
  Play Cooking Fire Video    

Make sure your house is accessibleFire Escape Planning

  • Bring family together, and draw out map of home. The map should include two escape routes from each room.
  • Make sure all members of household understand map and the plan. Assign members to assist infants, elderly, or disabled.
  • Choose an outside meeting place, such as a tree, rock, or other landmark.
  • Double check escape routes to ensure they are adequate
  • Take time to practice the drill, and make changes to your plan if necessary. Most fires happen at night, so make sure to practice in the dark.

Make Sure your House is Accessible

  • Fire engines are 8 1/2 ft wide, 10 ft high, 32 ft long, and weight 50,000 lbs. A Subaru weights 3400 lbs. Make sure your road is sized accordingly.
  • 16 ft wide on straight sections and 28 ft radius is preferable for plowing clearances.
  • Make sure your home's address is marked with 3" or larger reflective letters and numbers

Holiday Hazards

  • Water your tree. Dry trees cause more than 1000 house fires a year
  • Don't use lights with frayed wire, loose sockets, or broken plugs
  • Don't overload the circuit, too many strings of lights connected end to end can cause a fire
  • Turn off Christmas lights when going to bed
  • Keep space heaters away from curtains, bedspreads, and furniture. Teach children to stay away from space heaters.
  • Take down tree as soon as possible. Every day the tree stays up it dries out