Nanaimo Fire Rescue Reminds Residents to be "Fire Smart" this Summer

Jul 12, 2012

With the arrival of summer weather it is also the beginning of the dry season. The staff at Nanaimo Fire Rescue would like to remind residents to be aware of the increased fire risk to the community that occurs with the warm weather. The Hazard Rating is going up and Nanaimo Fire Rescue encourages residents to be aware and vigilant.

Most of the brush fires that occur within the City of Nanaimo are the result of human carelessness, often in the form of poorly discarded cigarettes either thrown from a car window or not properly extinguished.

Fire Prevention Officer Ennis Mond offers these additional fire safety considerations to keep our community safe:

• Do not discard smoking materials from vehicles. Use interior ashtrays. Be especially careful around bark mulch. Never dispose of a cigarette anywhere but in an ashtray or other proper receptacle
• Heat or flames from a barbeque can ignite nearby vegetation, wood, vinyl siding, paper towels and similar items
  • Barbecue with safety in mind
  • Keep barbecues at a safe distance from combustibles
• Dry or dead shrubs, brush, wood piles and combustible debris should not be stored in close proximity of your house
• Store gasoline in an approved safety can, away from occupied buildings
• Stay informed. Listen to the Fire Hazard warnings
• Ensure children are supervised by responsible adults whenever they are playing near water. Nanaimo Fire Rescue would like you to keep children safe for the summer

Be "Fire Smart" when enjoying the summer weather. For more information please visit the Nanaimo Fire Rescue section of the website, or call 250-753-7311.

You can also download these tips in PDF format.