Fire Prevention

In 2012, Fire Prevention Week takes place October 7 to 13. While this special week serves to remind all residents about the importance of fire safety, we should be mindful of fire prevention strategies all year round.

Fire Prevention in your Yard

Here are some simple steps you can take to reduce potential fire hazards in your yard:  

• Keep your yard free of debris throughout the year by raking leaves, poplar fuzz or picking up garbage 
• Move your wood pile away from your house, shed, fence, trees, fire pit or any combustible materials
• Use your fire pit for recreational purposes only including campfires and cooking. The City of St. Albert does not permit burning yard refuse or garbage in fire pits. Burn clean dry wood only.
• Rake up poplar fuzz, especially during the months of May through July, as the fuzz can ignite if it catches a spark
• Inspect BBQ gas grills, including gas hoses, gas grill lines and propane tanks prior to use.
• To eliminate the chance of a fire spreading beyond the barbecue, position your barbecue away from your home.
• DO NOT extinguish cigarette butts in planters. Most planters continue peat moss which can smolder, then ignite and cause small fires. 

It’s also important to properly dispose of cigarette butts. Cigarettes flicked out of a car window or dropped in yards or trails can ignite a fire.

Residents can dispose of yard waste at the St. Albert Compost Depot on Villeneuve Road. A full list of acceptable items including branches, leaves, and grass clippings can be found at www.stalbert.ca/compost-depot. Some of these items can also be included in your green organics cart. For a list of acceptable items, visit: www.stalbert.ca/curbside-organics.

Fire Prevention in your Home

• Make sure all family members know how to get out of your house safely in the case of a fire. Plan your fire escape routes.
• Check smoke detectors once a month, and change your batteries twice a year. Change your batteries during the time change in spring and fall to help you remember.
• If you use a space heater, keep it at least one metre  away from anything that may burn.
• If you smoke, do not smoke in bed.
• Keep matches and lighters away from where kids will find them.
• Don’t overload extension cords.
• Be careful cooking. Move combustible materials away from your stove. Make sure the handles of pots are turned inward and don’t hang over the side of the stove where they can be grabbed or knocked. If a grease fire starts, never walk with a burning pan. Instead, cover the pan with a lid to smother the flames and turn off the burner.

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