Fire Prevention

 

 

Ohio Burning Laws

 

 

IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO BURN THE FOLLOWlNG MATERlALS ANYTlME OR ANYPLACE:
 
  1. Materials containing rubber, grease, asphalt or petroleum. For instance, tires, plastics, shingles or coated wire. 
     
  2. Garbage - Any wastes produced in the process of handling, preparing, cooking, or the consumption of food.
     
  3. Dead animals - hides or skins, waste meats or pets.
     
  4. No wastes generated off of the premises may be burned. For example: A tree trimming operation may not haul limbs to another site to burn them. 
     


YOU MAY BURN DRY LEAVES, WOOD, GRASS TRIMMINGS AND PAPER. IF YOU ARE NOT IN THE RESTRICTED AREAS AND YOU FOLLOW THE SAFE BURNING PRACTICES OUTLINED BELOW!
Burning in the restricted areas may result in prosecution by the Ohio EPA!

 

You can not burn during brush fire season. (March thru May, October or November)

The areas where you MAY NOT BURN are:

  1. Within the boundaries of a village or municipal corporation. 
     
  2. Within 1000 feet of the boundaries of a village or municipal corporation having a population of up to 10,000 people. 
     
  3. Within 1000 feet of an occupied structure that is not on the property where the burning is to take place. 
     
  4. In a location where the smoke may obscure the visibility of roads, railroad tracks or air fields. 
     

To Burn Safely you must:
  1. Stay with the fire until it is completely out.
  2. Wait until after 4:00pm to begin burning.
  3. You may burn all night until 6:00am.
  4. Do not burn during windy weather.
  5. Burn the items in a pile or barrel that has a safe, cleared dirt area around it.
  6. Keep a garden hose or bucket of water close by just in case the fire would happen to get out of your control.
  7. Notify the fire department before you begin burning(740)532-4131 and call 911 if the fire gets away from you. 
     
  8. Not allow heavy smoke to cross roadways.

 

IT IS ILLEGAL TO ALLOW A FIRE TO SPREAD INTO A WOODED AREA, EITHER INTENTIONALLY OR THROUGH NEGLIGENCE.

YOU ARE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGES THAT SMOKE OR FIRE MAY CAUSE TO THE SURROUNDING PERSONS HEALTH OR PROPERTIES.

LEGAL PENALTIES INCLUDE UP TO $5000.00 FINE AND/OR 6 MONTHS IN JAIL NOT INCLUDING REPAYMENT FOR DAMAGES TO THE SURROUNDING PERSONS OR PROPERTIES.

 

FOR PERMITS OR TO REPORT ILLEGAL OPEN BURNING: CALL 1-888-EPA-PLAA

For a complete reading of the law click the image below

 

State Fire Marshal Urges Ohioans To Heat Homes Safely

(Columbus) – State Fire Marshal Stephen K. Woltz is reminding Ohioans to focus on fire safety

when heating their homes this winter and to use extra care if relying on alternative heating

sources to save money on heating bills.

“I urge everyone to focus on safety and prepare carefully for their winter heating needs before

the cold weather sets in. A failure to address safety concerns now can have devastating results

later,” said Marshal Woltz. Last year in Ohio 10 people died and 72 people were injured in 570

heating-related fires in homes throughout the state.

Marshal Woltz stresses the importance of having your home's heating system checked annually

by a qualified professional. Furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves and their chimneys should be

inspected and cleaned prior to the start of every heating season.

Be certain you use alternate sources of heating, such as portable and kerosene heaters and wood

burning stoves, according to their instructions and with extreme caution. For any space heater

remember that - Space Heaters Need Space – at least three feet from anything that can burn.

To avoid falling victim to carbon monoxide – a colorless, odorless, potentially deadly gas

produced by fuel-burning equipment, such as furnaces, wood stoves, fireplaces, and kerosene

heaters – install at least one carbon monoxide alarm near sleeping areas. Call the fire department

if the alarm sounds. Also, make sure you have working smoke alarms installed on every level of

your home and inside each sleeping area to alert you in the event of a fire.

Marshal Woltz suggests giving smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms as gifts this holiday

season. He also offers the following additional safety tips to help you have a fire safe winter.

Fireplaces and Wood Burning Stoves

• Allow enough clearance between a wood burning stove and combustible materials such as

walls, floors and ceilings.

• A wood stove should be placed on an approved stove board to protect your floor from heat

and hot coals.

• Make sure the flue is open before lighting a fire, and never close the flue while a fire is still

smoldering.

• Use a fireplace screen to prevent any sparks from reaching out and igniting nearby objects.

• Never use gasoline or lighter fluid to start a fire.

• The immediate area in front of a fireplace (approximately 3 ft.) should not have a rug, carpet

or exposed wood flooring.

• When lighting a gas fireplace, strike your match first, then turn on the gas.

• Burn only dry, seasoned wood and dispose of the cooled ashes in a closed metal container

outside and away from your home.

• Never leave a fire burning unattended in the fireplace.

Portable Space Heaters

• When buying a space heater, look for a control feature that automatically shuts off the power

if the heater falls over.

• Never leave a heater on when you are not in the room or when you go to sleep, and do not

leave children or pets unattended around any heating source. Unplug it when you are not

using it.

• Don't use an extension cord with an electric portable heater. The current from the heater

could melt the cord and cause a fire.

• Don’t plug more than one heating device into an outlet.

• Never use electric heaters near water – like in your bathroom or near a water heater.

Kerosene Heaters

• Make sure the room has proper ventilation.

• Fill your heater with only crystal clear, K-1 kerosene. Do not use any fluid that is not

recommended for your heater. Refuel outside, and only after the heater has cooled down.

• Check the wick every couple of weeks during the heating season. If the wick is dirty, clean it

according to the manufacturer's instructions.

• Since a kerosene heater has a constant open flame, it should not be used in a room where

there are flammable solvents, aerosol sprays, gasoline or any type of oil.

Propane

• Like many other efficient fuels, propane is highly flammable. That means it can be

dangerous if not handled properly.

• If using a propane fueled heater, make sure it is designed for indoor use and properly vented.

Read all of the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure it is properly vented.

• Do not use propane barbecues (or any other type of barbecue) indoors.

• If you smell gas, do not operate any switches, appliances or thermostats. A spark from one of

these could ignite the gas. Get everyone outside and away from the building. Shut off the gas

supply. Call the fire department from a neighbor’s phone.

Generators

• If you have a portable generator, make sure you place it in a well-ventilated area. Read the

manufacturer’s instructions before using it.

• Be sure generator fuel is properly and safely stored according to fire regulations. Never store

fuel or flammable liquids in a basement or near an open flame. Always refuel the generator

outdoors and away from any ignition sources.

• If you choose to have a generator permanently connected to your home’s electrical system,

make sure a licensed electrician installs it and be sure to notify your electric company.

Improperly installed generators can cause multiple types of hazards not only for you but for

power company workers as well.

 

 

STATE FIRE MARSHAL URGES OHIOANS TO USE TURKEY FRYERS SAFELY

(Columbus) – State Fire Marshal Stephen K. Woltz is reminding Ohioans to read the directions

and exercise caution when using turkey fryers during the holiday season.

“I urge Ohioans to be careful when cooking during the holidays to guard against devastating fire

or injury that could ruin a family gathering,” said Marshal Woltz. “Cooking is the number one

cause of residential fires in Ohio, and turkey fryers add to the risk of fire. When using a turkey

fryer, it is important that people read the directions and use common sense.”

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says the majority of fires, flames and burns

occurred while the oil was being heated, prior to adding the turkey. Burns from splashing oil can

also occur, especially when adding frozen meat. All meat should be thoroughly thawed and

dried before adding it to the hot oil.

Other safety tips from the State Fire Marshal:

• Keep the fryer in view when it is on and keep it away from buildings and other structures,

such as garages, carports and decks.

• Never leave the fryer unattended.

• Place the fryer outside when in use. Don’t put it in a garage or carport.

• To avoid burns, make sure meat is thawed and lower it into the hot oil slowly.

• Follow directions closely to make sure your fryer is operating properly. Make sure you

use the proper amount of oil, following the manufacturer’s directions. Too much oil

could make it spill over when you add the turkey.

• Keep a close eye on the temperature. If the fryer begins to smoke, turn it off.

• The sides, handles and pot lid become dangerously hot when the fryer is in use. Stay

clear of the fryer to prevent burns and use pot holders when moving the lid or touching

the handles.

• Make sure the fryer is clean of any old grease, especially on the outside so that will not

catch fire.

• Keep an ABC multi-purpose dry chemical fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to

extinguish a grease fire. Water and grease are a dangerous combination and could cause

hot grease to splatter.

Since 1998, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has reported more than 75 incidents

associated with turkey fryers nationwide. These incidents involved fires, flames or burns.

 

 

 

 

STATE FIRE MARSHAL URGES OHIOANS TO USE SMOKE DETECTORS

Click on smoke detector to learn more

 

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