Enter Article Body Here...Fire Safety Alert

Help Prevent Mulch Fires

We want to remind residents to use caution and common sense when it comes to landscaping mulch. Each year during the spring and summer months, hundreds of mulch fires are reported across the nation. These fires start out small and undetected, but can eventually grow into a devastating fire causing major damage to homes and other structures.

Typically, mulch is piled too deeply, more than a few inches, can build up heat and spontaneously catch fire. Another problem is decorative lighting. If lights are installed too close or inside the mulch, they can heat up and catch fire. As the fire starts in the landscaping mulch, it quickly spreads into the shrubbery and then into the home or building. Other contributing factors include below average rainfall, extremely dry conditions, warm weather and abnormal winds.

However, the most common cause of mulch fire is human carelessness through discarding of smoking products. Cigarette and cigar smokers often discard lighted smoking materials, including matches, into the landscaped areas as they enter and/or exit a building. So, please take extra precaution when smoking around landscaping beds.

To help prevent a mulch fire, please follow these safety tips;

·        Become aware of this fire safety problem and use smoking materials responsibly. Use only approved receptacles for matches and cigarettes

·        Recognize that hot and dry spells allows mulch fires to start more readily

·        Report any smoke of fire in a mulch bed via 911

·        Maintain at least 18 inches of clearance between the edge of the mulch and any combustible building materials, such as exterior vinyl siding and decks

·        Keep mulch beds as moist as possible.

For more information contact the New Haven Adams Twp. Fire Dept. at 910 Hartzell Road, New Haven or by calling 493-7500

Enter Article Body Here...Fire Safety Alert

Help Prevent Mulch Fires

We want to remind residents to use caution and common sense when it comes to landscaping mulch. Each year during the spring and summer months, hundreds of mulch fires are reported across the nation. These fires start out small and undetected, but can eventually grow into a devastating fire causing major damage to homes and other structures.

Typically, mulch is piled too deeply, more than a few inches, can build up heat and spontaneously catch fire. Another problem is decorative lighting. If lights are installed too close or inside the mulch, they can heat up and catch fire. As the fire starts in the landscaping mulch, it quickly spreads into the shrubbery and then into the home or building. Other contributing factors include below average rainfall, extremely dry conditions, warm weather and abnormal winds.

However, the most common cause of mulch fire is human carelessness through discarding of smoking products. Cigarette and cigar smokers often discard lighted smoking materials, including matches, into the landscaped areas as they enter and/or exit a building. So, please take extra precaution when smoking around landscaping beds.

To help prevent a mulch fire, please follow these safety tips;

·        Become aware of this fire safety problem and use smoking materials responsibly. Use only approved receptacles for matches and cigarettes

·        Recognize that hot and dry spells allows mulch fires to start more readily

·        Report any smoke of fire in a mulch bed via 911

·        Maintain at least 18 inches of clearance between the edge of the mulch and any combustible building materials, such as exterior vinyl siding and decks

·        Keep mulch beds as moist as possible.

For more information contact the New Haven Adams Twp. Fire Dept. at 910 Hartzell Road, New Haven or by calling 493-7500