With warmer weather comes dry vegetation that can result in brush fires that burn and spread quickly. It is important to take into consideration some landscaping and home maintenance tips to ensure safe surroundings.

Landscaping Tips

• Remove weeds and keep grass cut.
• Any dead and piled up vegetation should be disposed of properly.
• If you have any firewood left over from the winter, stack it away from structures.
• Limit the use of flammable plants in your landscaping, contact your local home and garden center if you have questions about safe plants.
• Plants trees and shrubs with room to grow in sparse and separate areas, and choose trees that don't have too many branches. The distance from tree to house should always be greater than the height of the tree.
• Try not to use plants that develop dead undergrowth.
• Try not to place plants too close to structures and under overhangs or eaves.
• Provide adequate water to keep plants healthy and green.
• Keep sprinkler systems in good working order.
• Trim dead wood off of trees.

Home Maintenance Tips

• Trash and debris should be properly disposed of. Piles of trash, such as old home furnishings, boxes and even cars are potential fire hazards.
• Store flammable liquids properly.
• Always dispose of cigarettes carefully.
• Keep the roof clean and clear. If possible wash the roof on a regular basis.

"FDNY Brush Fire Safety." Web. 06 Aug. 2010. <http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/safety/firesafety_brushfire.shtml>.

Great Defensible Space. 2010. Photograph. Nahahum Canyon, Wenatchee, WA. DNR. Web. 5 Aug. 2010. <http://www.inciweb.org/incident/photograph/2052/1/>.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) and ADT Security Services have declared July 15th as National pet fire safety day to help save the estimated 500,000 pets affected in home fires each year.   Pet Fire Safety Day is designed to educate the public on how they can prevent and prepare for emergencies and present solutions for reducing these tragic instances. 

As part of these activities, ADT is distributing pet window clings that community members can put in their windows to alert rescuers as to the number and types of pets in the house.  Visit www.nvfc.org/windowclings to find the nearest fire department participating in this initiative or visit www.adt.com/pets to order your free window cling.

Tragically, the numbers of pets killed or injured in home fires are expected to rise this summer as more people spend time away from their homes, leaving pets all alone.  Here are some practical tips from the National Volunteer Fire Council, The American Kennel Club and ADT Security to keep pets safe from house fires:

• Extinguish Open Flames - Pets are generally curious and will investigate cooking appliances, candles, or even a fire in your fireplace. Ensure your pet is not left unattended around an open flame and make sure to thoroughly extinguish any open flame before leaving your home.
• Pet Proof the Home - Take a walk around your home and look for areas where pets might start fires inadvertently, such as the stove knobs, loose wires and other potential hazards.
• Secure Young Pets - Especially with young puppies, keep them confined away from potential fire-starting hazards when you are away from home.
• Keep Pets Near Entrances – When leaving pets home alone, keep them in areas or rooms near entrances where firefighters can easily find them.
• Practice Escape Routes with Pets – Keep collars and leashes at the ready in case you have to evacuate quickly with your pet or firefighters need to rescue your pet.
• Keep Your Window Cling Information Updated - Firefighters are familiar with pet alert window clings so keep the number of pets listed on them updated. Knowing the accurate number of pets in the house aids rescuers in finding all of your pets and provides important information so that firefighters do not put themselves or others in danger when rescuing pets.
• Consider Using Monitored Smoke Detection Services – As an added layer of protection beyond battery-operated smoke alarms, smoke alarms connected to a monitoring center help save pets who can’t escape when left home alone.

Throughout the past week we've heard of a tornado watch in effect across Southeastern Montana.  Such a weather phenomenon is uncommon in our state causing people to become complacent to the warning, and as we saw last night, many were in awe and shock as a tornado touched down and ripped through businesses in the Heights of Billings. 

Through numerous videos and photos captured during the short lived event, one can see the complete disregard for personal safety and disaster awareness.  It seems to be a miracle or just luck that no one was seriously injured or lost their life to the event.  It's extremely important that we are aware of the potential dangers and disasters in our area and how to react in the event of one.

As the tornado watch continues, we have a few things to share with you:

Tornadoes are nature's most violent storms. They can appear suddenly without warning and can be invisible until dust and debris are picked up or a funnel cloud appears. Planning and practicing specifically how and where you take shelter is a matter of survival. Be prepared to act quickly. Keep in mind that while tornadoes are more common in the Midwest, Southeast and Southwest, they can occur in any state and at any time of the year, making advance preparation vitally important.

It's a good idea to get an emergency supply kit, which includes items like non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries.

Make a family emergency plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency.

Determine in advance where you will take shelter in case of a tornado warning:

• Storm cellars or basements provide the best protection.
• If underground shelter is not available, go into an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.
• In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.
• Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls. Go to the center of the room. Stay away from corners because they attract debris.
• A vehicle, trailer or mobile home does not provide good protection. Plan to go quickly to a building with a strong foundation, if possible.
• If shelter is not available, lie flat in a ditch or other low-lying area. Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.
• Plan to stay in the shelter location until the danger has passed.

Take a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class when available in your community.

Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify a tornado hazard.

• A tornado watch means weather conditions are favorable for a possible tornado in your area.
• A tornado warning is when a tornado is actually occurring, take shelter immediately.

We encourage everyone everywhere to prepare by making a plan and staying informed.


View the above information and more on disaster awareness at www.Ready.gov



 

"Prescribed Burns Planned For Beaverhead And Madison Counties." DOI: BLM: National Home Page. 24 Mar. 2010. Web. 08 May 2010. <http://www.blm.gov/mt/st/en/info/newsroom/2010/march/DFOrxburns.html>.