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North Ogden City Holiday and candle safety should go hand in hand, but unfortunately, people are not as careful as they need to be. During the holiday season, there are more candle fires in
homes than the rest of the year combined.
Candles are hazardous, and the best fire prevention advice is “don't use candles”. But if
you must, follow these life-saving guidelines to help you safely enjoy candlelight this
holiday season:
• Keep candles away from all holiday decorations including natural and artificial trees.
• Burn candles only where they cannot be bumped or brushed against.
• Arrange candles safely away from flammable centerpieces and hanging decorations.
• Use sturdy candleholders made of a material that won't burn and large enough to
collect any dripping wax.
• Light candles carefully, keeping hair and loose clothing away from the flame.
• Keep candlewicks trimmed to one quarter of an inch.
• Extinguish candles when they burn down to within two inches of their holder and any
decorative material.
• Extinguish candles carefully using a long-handled candlesnuffer or a soft, directed
breath. Do not leave the room until wicks have stopped glowing.
• Do not leave young children unattended in a room with a candle, and do not allow
children or teens to burn candles in their bedrooms.
• Extinguish all candles when you leave home and before you go to sleep.
For Fire Safe Holidays:
• Install/test smoke detectors on every level of your home.
• Choose a fresh tree with no shedding needles. Trim one inch off the bottom of the
trunk and immediately put into water.
• Check holiday lights carefully.
• Don’t piggyback extension cords.
• Be certain your fireplace is fire safe.
• Give your space heaters space.
• Turn off holiday lights before leaving home or retiring for the night.
Have a safe, happy holiday season!
NORTH VIEW FIRE AGENCY - 782-8158
NORTH VIEW FIRE – 782-8159
Barbecue Safety Tips
*Before using a grill, check the connection
between the propane tank and the fuel
line. Make sure the venturi tubes are
not blocked.
*Do not overfill the propane tank.
*Do not wear loose clothing while cooking at a barbecue.
*Be careful when using lighter fluid. Do not add fluid to
an already lit fire; the flame can flash back up into the
container and explode.
*Keep all matches and lighters away from children.
Teach children to report any loose matches or lighters
to an adult immediately. Supervise children around
outdoor grills.
*Dispose of hot coals properly - douse them with plenty
of water, and stir them to ensure that the fire is out.
Never place them in plastic, paper or wood containers.
*Never grill/barbecue in an enclosed area - carbon
monoxide could be produced.
*Make sure everyone knows to Stop, Drop and Roll in
case a piece of clothing does catch fire. Call 911 or
your local emergency number if a burn warrants serious
medical attention.
North Ogden City Burn permits and Open Burning - Utah State Law requires a permit for all open burning. Permits will be issued at the city offices and at the North View Fire Station. Written permits will only be issued for April, the designated open burning month for Weber County. This is the 30-day period allowed by Utah State Law and you will only be allowed to burn tree trimmings, grasses, weeds or stubble. No lumber, fencing, trash or rubbish of any type may be burned.
We will still be giving permission over the phone for those who fall under the agricultural classification. However, these permits will only be given to those who actually farm and use their property for this purpose. These agricultural permits will only be issued for the burning of ditch banks, tree trimmings and weeds. No lumber, fencing, trash or rubbish of any kind is allowed. All fires must be 50 feet or more from any structure and adequate provisions must be made to prevent the fire from spreading closer than 50 feet to any structure. A competent person must constantly attend all fires until the fire is completely extinguished. This person must have a garden hose connected to the water supply or other fire extinguishing equipment readily available for use. All fires will be conducted only during daylight hours. Fires must be completely extinguished by dark.
No residential lots can be considered as agricultural, even if fruit trees are involved. Residential lots can only be burned during the open burn month of April. These burn laws are an important tool used in keeping the air in our community clean. Use wise judgment when burning, don't burn if the wind is blowing smoke into your neighbors home, none of us would like smoke in our home.
Be safe, have a hose or bucket of water ready, use wise judgment while burning.
NORTH VIEW FIRE AGENCY - 782-8158
EMERGENCY HEATING INFORMATION: Space heaters are classified as vented and unvented, or “vent free.” Vented units are designed to be permanently located next to an outside wall so that the flue gas vent can be installed through a ceiling or directly through a wall to the outside. Liquid-fueled (propane and kerosene) space heaters are classified as unvented. These units do pose
risks and are not recommended for use inside the home due to health hazards associated with the pollutants they emit into the air. These pollutants include carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Because these fuels consume oxygen, ventilation is necessary to prevent asphyxiation or respiratory problems. Take special precautions when operating unvented space heaters. Following the manufacturer’s instructions regarding fuel and ventilation can minimize the risks. Keeping doors open to the rest of the house is preferable. If you must operate the heater in a closed room, open a window to permit fresh air to effectively dilute the pollutants. Place the heater in the center of a well-vented room equipped with battery-powered carbon-monoxide and smoke detectors. Monitor the fuel heater at all times and turn it off when you leave the house or head to bed. Never move a fuel heater while it is in use, and be sure to regularly clean and inspect it.
Consumer Reports tested four fuel heater models, two propane and two kerosene. None fared well in safety tests and all of them produced small but measurable levels of carbon monoxide and emitted particulates, though not enough to be considered a serious hazard. Propane fuel heater models have a low oxygen shutoff valve; kerosene heaters have a tip-over switch.
Though there are certain dangers these fuel heaters can be useful in the event of a winter power outage. For example, you might use one to keep water pipes in a non-insulated basement from freezing.
NORTH VIEW FIRE AGENCY - 782-8158
Last month in North Ogden, we had a home fire that could have been a disaster. The fire call came in at about 11:30 pm when the residents were fast asleep. Through no fault of the residents, an electrical fire started in the attic. Because the home had a working smoke detector, they were warned and able to get everyone out of the house safely. This fire was devastating to the
residents but it could have been a disaster with a loss of a life. Make sure you have working smoke detectors. Electrical fires in our homes take the lives of 485 Americans each year, 2,305 more are injured. Some of these fires are caused by electrical system failures and appliance defects but many more are caused by the misuse and poor maintenance of electrical appliances, incorrectly installed wiring and overloaded circuits and extension cords. The Problem- Home electrical problems account for 67,800 fires, 485 deaths and $868 million in property losses every year. Electrical wiring causes twice as many fires as electrical appliances. The Facts- Most electrical fires are in December, making it the most dangerous month for home fires.
During winter, the shorter and colder days call for more indoor activities and an increase in lighting,
heating and appliance use.
The Causes
Electrical Wiring- Most electrical fires result from problems with “fixed wiring” such as faulty electrical outlets and old wiring.
Problems with cords and plugs, such as extension and appliance cords, also cause many home electrical fires. In urban areas, faulty wiring accounts for 33% of residential electrical fires. Many avoidable electrical fires can be traced to misuse of electric cords, such as overloading circuits, poor maintenance and cords running under rugs or in high traffic areas, or through doorways.
Home Appliances- The appliances most often involved in electrical fires are electric stoves and ovens, dryers, central heating units, televisions and stereo equipment.
Safety Precautions
• Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring.
• Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately.
• Use electrical extension cords wisely and don’t overload them or use for permanent use.
• Keep appliances away from wet floors and counters; pay special attention to appliances in the bathroom and kitchen.
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