Where’d Spring go? Summer has almost arrived and your thoughts may be on that dreaded ritual of spring cleaning which is passing. With it comes a timely reminder to keep your home safe from the threat of fire. In an effort to make this "Spring Cleaning" a fire safe one, The Gallup Fire Department would like to provide the following safety tips:

• Clean your garage of stored newspapers or other rubbish that can fuel a fire.
• Test your smoke alarms monthly.
• To help prevent nuisance alarms, gently vacuum your smoke alarm every six months or as needed.
• Change batteries in smoke alarms, flashlights and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Never borrow smoke alarm batteries to use for toys or other equipment.
• Replace all smoke alarms every 10 years or as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Keep outdoor debris or dead vegetation away from the house.
• Properly dispose of oily or greasy rags. If these items must be stored, they should be kept in labeled, sealed, metal containers.
• If you store gasoline, keep it outside your home in a shed or detached garage. Keep only small quantities in tightly sealed containers. Use gasoline only as a motor fuel - never as a cleaning agent.
• Use outdoor barbecue grills with caution. Place in a safe area away from buildings, windows, heating, ventilation and air conditioning units or places with high/dead vegetation.
• Never use gasoline to start a fire, and don’t add charcoal lighter fluid once the fire has started.
• Use barbecue grills outside only - not under overhangs or balconies, and away from combustibles.
• Check your propane barbecue grill hose for leaks and cracks; never store propane indoors.
  
  If you have any questions or would like clarification on any fire safety tips please call the Fire Prevention Office at 505-726-5448.