A role of the State Fire Marshal is to provide education to residents on the dangers of fire and how to prevent fires from occurring. We offer the following fire prevention tips to help your family stay safe.
There are many things you can do to improve your level of safety in regards to the risk of fires.
- Ensure you have working smoke alarms in the correct places throughout your home.
- Install carbon monoxide alarms on each level of your home where people sleep if there is a risk of CO poisoning (fuel burning appliances, attached garages, etc.)
- Have and practice a Fire Evacuation Plan.
- Keep lighters and matches out of reach of children.
- Keep heating equipment and combustible materials separated.
- Extinguish cigarettes in a non-combustible (not plastic) container or a container specifically designed for cigarette disposal. Keep containers away from combustible building materials.
- Cooking is the leading cause of fires nationwide. Continually monitor any cooking.
Many cities ban the use of fireworks within city limits – check with your local authorities to verify local ordinances.
- Carefully supervise children. Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks – including sparklers. Sparklers burn at 1,200 degrees, which is hot enough to melt glass.
- Light fireworks one at a time and immediately move away from the lit firework. Never try to re-light or pick up a firework that did not fully ignite.
- Keep a bucket of water or garden hose handy in case of fire. Soak the spent fireworks with water before putting them in the trash.
The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to leave it to the professionals. Check your local community calendar for information on firework shows in your area.
Smoke Alarms
A house can be totally engulfed in fire in less than three minutes. A smoke detector gives you an early warning and time to get out. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside every bedroom, and outside each sleeping area. Smoke alarms in the basement should be installed on the ceiling at the bottom of the stairs.
Test smoke alarms once a month, replace the batteries at least once a year and replace the whole unit every 8-10 years.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible killer. It is odorless, colorless and tasteless. Inside your home, carbon monoxide is produced by ovens, ranges, dryers, water heaters, propane, coal, oil and gas heaters. If damaged or improperly vented, CO gas can build up. Even a mild exposure to CO gas can be dangerous, especially for children. Protect your family with carbon monoxide alarms.
Install a CO detector on each floor of your home and inside the area where your water heater and heating system are located.
Fire Evacuation Plan
In case of a house fire, having an evacuation plan helps. Make sure your children know how to get out of the house in an emergency – and that they must stay out. Designate a safe meeting place outside.
For more information or assistance in developing a fire safety plan for your house, contact your local fire department.
A permit is required for open burning. Contact the ND Department of Environmental Quality at (701) 328-5150, and the local fire authority (Fire Chief). Before conducting any open burning, check conditions at ND Department of Emergency Services Burn Ban Restrictions and Fire Danger Maps.