Spring home fire safety

  • Published
  • By Travis Fire Prevention Office
  • 60th Civil Engineer Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE,Calif. --  Spring has finally arrived, and thoughts may be turning to that dreaded annual ritual of spring cleaning. After taking a walk through the house and getting that "hunny-do list" together, please take a few moments to read the following safety tips to make this spring cleanup a fire-safe one!

Inside the house

· Clean the basement and garage of stored newspapers or other combustible items that can fuel a fire. Newspapers, cardboard, trash and other items stored in a damp, warm place may ignite spontaneously.
· Clean, test and change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon dioxide detectors.
· To help prevent nuisance alarms, gently vacuum the smoke alarm every 6 months (spring ahead, fall back).
· Check the electrical fuse box; make sure the proper fuses are in use.
· Keep outdoor debris away from the house.
· Properly dispose of oily or greasy rags. If these items must be stored, they should be kept in labeled, sealed, metal containers a minimum 36 inches away from any heat source. Ensure compliance with environmental base policy.

Workshops, storage areas, and outdoors

They maybe flammable materials in the basement or garage. Exercise fire safety both inside and outside of the home.
· When storing gasoline, keep it outside the home in a locked shed or garage. Keep only small quantities in approved, tightly sealed containers. Approximately ten gallons per home. Flammable liquids are not to be stored in dormitories, billeting, temporary lodging facilities, and visitor's quarters. Use gasoline only as a motor fuel--never as a cleaning agent or barbecue starter.
· Always store paint and other flammable liquids in their original, labeled containers with tight-fitting lids. Always store them away from appliances, heaters, pilot lights, and other sources of heat or flame. Keep them minimum 36 inches from any heat source.
· Use outdoor barbecue grills with caution. Never use gasoline to start a fire and don't add charcoal lighter fluid once the fire has started.
· Use barbecue grills outside only -- not on porches, balconies or under overhangs or carports. With a minimum of 20 feet away from combustibles.
· Barbecues should be a minimum of 10 feet a house or 25 feet from a structure.
· When cooking outside, ensure there is a fire extinguisher, a five-gallon bucket of water, or a garden house readily available.
· Check the propane barbecue grill hose for leaks and cracks and never store propane indoors.
· Cut vegetation a minimum of 20 feet from the house and all the way to the ground.