Spring into Safety!

East Whiteland Township is dedicated to ensuring the safest possible environment in which to live, work and play.  This blog is dedicated to communicating the community risk reduction message to East Whiteland Township residents as well as the surrounding community.  

Here you will learn more about how to maintain a safe environment for you and your family through important and timely risk reduction information. You'll also learn more about the local organizations that are here to help you reduce risk in and around your home.  Let's start with some timely information to help us help you as we say goodbye to Winter!

Have you started your spring cleaning? 

As you begin to clean up from this past winter’s harsh weather and resulting damage, take some time to focus on fire safety around the home as well. According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), warmer weather brings people outdoors, resulting in the peak period for outdoor fires and fires caused by open flame. As daytime temperatures warm up, vegetation quickly dries out, increasing the chances for vegetation fires, fires associated with fireworks, and children playing with matches.

Here are some tips to keep your home and property fire safe during the spring season:

-Clear branches and other vegetation from around your home and dispose of it properly. A good rule of thumb is to maintain a 30’ to 100’ buffer zone, depending on the predominant vegetation type on your property, between your home and natural vegetation if possible. East Whiteland Township’s open burning ordinance also prohibits open burning of refuse, natural materials such as vegetation, construction and demolition materials. 

-Keep mulch from coming into direct contact with your home. Mulch is easily ignited by improper disposal of smoking materials. Mulch fires can spread rapidly in windy conditions and easily ignite combustible materials on your home.

-Clean your gutters of dead vegetation, and keep tree branches pruned to a distance of at least 15’ from your home.

-Keep matches, lighters, and other sources of ignition out of the reach of children. 

-Maintain a clear space of at least 10 feet around propane tanks and barbeques. Do not dispose of hot ashes from grills and fireplaces – soak them in water for two days in a metal bucket before burying them in mineral soil.

-Avoid the use of fireworks – they can misfire or malfunction, increasing chances of injury and posing a significant fire threat as well.

Check out this report from the USFA about seasonal fire threats, and feel free to contact the East Whiteland Township Fire Marshal’s Office at 610-648-0600 if you have any questions or concerns about fire safety! 

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/statistics/v3i6.pdf