We have responded to a few fires recently that were caused by smoking materials left unattended or discarded improperly. With warm and dryer weather in the forecast, more such fires will likely occur.
Steps to help reduce the chance of such fires include the following:
- Carelessly discarded cigarettes and other smoking materials can easily start a fire in dry conditions. Extinguish smoking materials before you leave the room or area
- Douse smoking materials in water before tossing out
- Make sure proper cigarette disposal canisters are available in areas where smoking is allowed
Even when smoking is not allowed on rooftops, Fire Investigators frequently find cigarette butts in planter boxes and in garbage cans. It is important to never discard cigarettes in vegetation such as mulch, potted plants or landscaping, peat moss, dried grasses, leaves or other things that could ignite easily. A small cigarette butt in dry conditions can turn into a major fire.
To make sure your home is safe also consider:
- Removing long grass, weeds or anything that can burn from around buildings. This includes limbs that touch buildings or hang near the roof
- Removing dead plants or bushes as soon as possible
- Clearing roof and gutters of needles and leaves