Spring cleaning checklist offers reminders to keep homes fire safe

Drought has once again become no stranger to the City of Gallup and the surrounding area bringing with it the risk of brush fires. 

The Gallup Fire Department would like to remind customers what they can do around the home to stay fire safe. 

“Spring is the perfect time for a refresher on fire safety tips that should be followed year-round to help protect your home from outside fires. Limiting the amount of flammable vegetation, choosing fire-resistant building materials and construction techniques, along with periodic exterior maintenance around the home can go a long way in protecting your home and family.

Important spring cleaning home fire safety tips:

·         Trim branches that overhang the home, porch and deck and prune branches of large trees up to (depending on their height) 6 to 10 feet from the ground. Remove plants containing resins, oils and waxes and ensure mulches within 5 feet around the house are non-combustible: options like crushed stone and gravel. Maintain vegetation annually.

·        Ensure you r home has a legible and clearly marked address posted and visible from the street.

·         Never store flammable materials underneath decks or porches. Remove dead vegetation and debris from under decks/porches and between deck board joints.

·        Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.

·        Move any flammable materials away from wall exteriors – mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, firewood piles – anything that can burn. Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches.

·        Remove dead plants and tree material. 

·        Dispose of heavy accumulations of ground litter around home and storage buildings.

·        Keep lawns and native grasses mowed to a height of four inches.

·        Remove ladder fuels (vegetation under trees) so a surface fire cannot reach the crowns. Prune trees up to six to ten feet from the ground; for shorter trees do not exceed 1/3 of the overall tree height.