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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBeing Fire Smart for the Farm & Acreage 183037 RR145 (Box 130), Brooks, AB T1R 1B2 Check us out on social media Phone: 403-362-3266 Fax: 866-860-8158 Email: martink@newellmail.ca Web: www.countyofnewell.ab.ca Being Fire Smart for the Farm and Acreage The words “Prairie Fire” struck fear in every homesteader across the prairies many years ago. There was no insurance and no disaster recovery programs. I am pretty much convinced that it is the same today even though there have been vast improvements in Fire Protection, Insurance and Disaster Recovery Programs. If a major prairie fire was to happen in your area are your prepared for what you need to do? Do you have a 72 Hour Emergency Kit? Do you have a Ready to go Kit? 72 Hour Emergency Kit No one knows for sure when disaster will strike, but we can all be prepared. Create your own 72-hour emergency kit, and you will have the necessary items to help you and your family until emergency responders can reach you. Below are items you may want to include in your kit. 183037 RR145 (Box 130), Brooks, AB T1R 1B2 Check us out on social media Phone: 403-362-3266 Fax: 866-860-8158 Email: martink@newellmail.ca Web: www.countyofnewell.ab.ca Food and water (3-day supply of non-perishables per person required) • protein/granola bars • trail mix/dried fruit • crackers and cereals • canned meat, fish and beans • canned juice • water (4 L per person, include small bottles to carry with you) Bedding and clothing • change of clothing (short- and long-sleeve shirts, pants, socks, undergarments) • raincoat/emergency poncho/jacket • spare shoes • sleeping bags/blankets/emergency heat blankets per person • plastic and cloth sheets Light and fuel • hand-crank flashlight or battery-operated flashlights/lamps • extra batteries • flares • candles • lighter • waterproof matches Equipment • manual can opener • dishes and utensils • shovel • radio (with spare batteries/hand operated crank) • pen and paper • axe/pocket knife • rope • duct tape • whistle • cellphone charger • basic tools • small stove with fuel (follow manufacturer’s directions for operation and storage) 183037 RR145 (Box 130), Brooks, AB T1R 1B2 Check us out on social media Phone: 403-362-3266 Fax: 866-860-8158 Email: martink@newellmail.ca Web: www.countyofnewell.ab.ca Personal supplies and medication • first-aid kit • toiletries (toilet paper, feminine hygiene, toothbrush) • cleaning supplies (hand sanitizer, dish soap, etc.) • medication (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, children’s medication, etc., and 3-day supply of prescription medication) • pet food and supplies • garbage bags • toys/reading material Copies of personal documents, money (in waterproof container) • legal documents (birth and marriage certificates, wills, passports, contracts) • insurance policies • cash in small bills • credit card/s • prepaid phone cards • copy of your emergency plan and contact information Ready-to-go Kit Keep ready-to-go kit items in a backpack, duffle bag or suitcase, in an accessible place, such as a front-hall closet. Make sure your kit is easy to carry, and everyone in the house knows where it is. Take it with you if you have to leave your house so you can be safe. • 4 L of water for each person • food that you don't have to keep cold • manual can opener • plastic/paper plates, cups, knives, forks, spoons • flashlight and extra batteries • change of clothes • card with emergency contact information and the number of someone to call who lives out of town • pet food and supplies for at least three days • small first aid kit • personal ID card • personal hygiene items, soap, hand sanitizer Store medicine you usually take near your ready-to-go kit. 183037 RR145 (Box 130), Brooks, AB T1R 1B2 Check us out on social media Phone: 403-362-3266 Fax: 866-860-8158 Email: martink@newellmail.ca Web: www.countyofnewell.ab.ca Notes • Update your kits every six months (put a note in your calendar/planner) to make sure that food, water, and medication are not expired, clothing fits, personal documents and credit cards are up to date, and batteries are charged. • Small toys/games are important; they can provide some comfort and entertainment during a stressful time. • Some items might leak, melt, or break open. Dividing groups of items into individual Ziploc bags might help prevent this. On days where the wildfire hazard is extreme, or if wildfires are burning in your area, be cautious and prepare for a worst-case scenario. Do what you can, but remember that if an evacuation order is given, you must leave. Large moving fires are dangerous and should be left to professional firefighters. Here’s a checklist of general things you can do to prepare to evacuate: • Ignite no new fires and report any open fires to authorities. • Check your fire pits and burn barrels to make sure they are fully extinguished. Be careful if smoking outdoors. • Try to remain at home until the fire danger drops, unless the order to evacuate is given. Keep in touch with absent household members. • Keep the radio on all day, tuned to a local station. Have a battery powered radio in case of power failure. • Move grazing animals to a safe refuge. • Keep pets close to the house. • Place valuable documents, family mementos, computer backups and other things you cannot replace in your vehicle. • Pack extra food, medications, pet food, money and credit cards, sleeping bags, clothing, toys and games in your vehicle for quick departure. • Ensure your vehicle is fueled and operational. Park in the garage facing outward, or adjacent to the house in a cleared area that is not blocking access. Make sure the windows are rolled up and the keys are immediately available. Preparing the Inside of your House: • Close all windows and doors. This will slow down the spread of fire if it does ignite inside the house. 183037 RR145 (Box 130), Brooks, AB T1R 1B2 Check us out on social media Phone: 403-362-3266 Fax: 866-860-8158 Email: martink@newellmail.ca Web: www.countyofnewell.ab.ca • Move combustibles away from windows and sliding glass doors. Don’t give fire a chance to spark. • Fill sinks, bathtubs and buckets for use as extra water reservoirs. • Attach inside hoses and gather buckets and towels. Outside your Home: If you have time before you evacuate, there are things you can do to increase your home’s chances of withstanding a wildfire and to help the professional fire fighters when they arrive at your property. • Cover all openings with metal coverings or fire-resistant material. This helps to keep sparks and embers out. • Move any combustibles well away from the house and outbuildings or store them inside. • Attach garden hoses to taps and place them so they can reach any exterior surface of the building, including the roofs. • Place a connected sprinkler on the roof and nail it down. Do not turn it on unless the fire is an immediate hazard. • If you have an outdoor pool or hot tub, make it as accessible as possible so firefighters can use the water. Let’s be Proactive – Fire Prevention on the Farm Fire requires three elements, Fuel, Oxygen & Heat. If one of these is not present, the fire cannot start. If one of these is taken from a fire it will go out. Start with a Plan Do a walk around your farm and look for any dangers that could start or support a fire. If you are not sure of what to look for contact your local fire department or Keith Martin, Manager of Fire & Emergency Services at the County of Newell and make a request for some assistance. 183037 RR145 (Box 130), Brooks, AB T1R 1B2 Check us out on social media Phone: 403-362-3266 Fax: 866-860-8158 Email: martink@newellmail.ca Web: www.countyofnewell.ab.ca No smoking in Farm Buildings – There should be no smoking permitted in any barn or farm building at any time. Make sure that smokers materials are extinguished thoroughly in a safe manner/location prior to entering a barn or farm building. Practice Good Housekeeping – Keep a clean organized barn or farm building to aid in preventing fires from occurring. Provide Adequate Ventilation – Chemical reactions found in baled damp hay can be a cause of barn or hay storage area fires. Rows of tightly packed bales allow for a buildup of heat. Spontaneous combustion can occur when the smoldering fire has reached a high temperature and is exposed to oxygen. Also keep hazardous products stored in well ventilated areas. Practice Electrical Safety – Electrical malfunctions are a leading cause of fires. Wires should be enclosed in approved conduit to protect them against weather, animals, and from mechanical damage. Do not overload circuits. Regular cleaning of electrical appliances and equipment will prevent a build-up of dirt and dust which can contribute to overheating and malfunction. Install and Maintain Lighting Rods and Grounding Cables – Lighting can enter a building via metal objects such as antennas or anything that extends upwards. Check grounding cables frequently and repair if worn or damaged. Keep Yard Areas Free of Brush and Debris – Clear the immediate areas around all barns and farm buildings by removing brush, debris, machinery and by mowing the grass and removing weeds. Keep grass along a roadway closely mowed (a motorist’s stray cigarette could be a source for fire). Refuel Equipment Safely – Refueling tractors and machinery should be done well away from farm buildings so flammable vapours can dissipate. Always refuel equipment outdoors, away from open flames and sparks. Make sure engines or motors are turned off and cool before refueling. Install and Maintain Portable Fire Extinguishers – Install portable fire extinguishers in your barn and other farm buildings. You should have an extinguisher on all mechanical equipment and machinery. Know how to use them properly. Inspect your extinguishers monthly and recharge when necessary or after use. It is now up to you, be prepared and be proactive to assist in keeping your Family, Farm & Acreage safe as possible from fire. Remember that “Safety is an Attitude”. Keith Martin Manager of Fire & Emergency Services County of Newell Rev. August 21, 2017