Spring 2023 Hometown Messenger

PUBLIC SAFETY

CHIEF’S NOTES

Hopefully by the time you’re reading this, the temperatures are getting warmer, and the snow is melting You’re probably starting

Acting Shakopee Fire Chief Ryan Yttreness

A burning question about leaves and yard waste

to think about spring cleaning around your home Take this time to perform some very easy fire safety tasks that could protect you and your family: ■ March 12 at 2 a m When you change your clocks, it’s a good time to replace your smoke alarm batteries ■ While you are replacing the batteries, push the alarm button and test your smoke alarms The best plan is to test your smoke alarms monthly ■ While you’re at it, check the date your smoke alarms expire Any alarm over 10 years old needs to be replaced with a new one The date should always be printed on the underside of the alarm If you don’t see a printed date, the alarm is too old and needs to be replaced ■ To help prevent nuisance alarms, gently vacuum your smoke alarms around the outside and any openings to remove dust or cobwebs ■ Check to make sure you have proper smoke alarm coverage You should have a smoke alarm in every bedroom and in the hallway outside of the bedrooms Also, you should have at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home ■ You should also have a carbon monoxide alarm on each level of your home We recommend the plug-in models with battery back-up Change the batteries yearly and test them monthly just like smoke alarms, but you should replace them after seven years Have a question about the fire safety in your home? Contact us by calling 952-233-9570 or check out additional tips and information on our website at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/fire and “like” our Shakopee Fire Department Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ ShakopeeFD

To keep residents safe, the City of Shakopee (city code, 13006 open burning) does not allow burning of vegetation or yard waste To safely dispose of these materials, con tact the city’s local trash hauler, Dick’s Sanitation Inc, to subscribe to seasonal yard waste service DSI also offers as needed yard waste pickup from mid April through mid-November at the cost of $368 per bag Visit www.dickssanita tion.com or call DSI at 052-469-2239 to subscribe to these services

For many, spring is a time for cleaning up our yards of accumulated leaves, sticks and other vegetative debris Disposing of this dried-up yard waste is becom ing more difficult, with some waste facilities no longer accepting such material Yet, allow ing this material to accumulate close to your home is even worse as it can become a bed for embers and act as an ignition source to a home Faced with few choices, some choose to burn these materials in order to get rid of yard waste But before you grab the matches, it is important to be aware of local codes and ordi nances regarding outdoor burning

Smoking safety tips Whether you smoke cigars, cigarettes or e-cigarettes, it’s important to be mindful of safety tips to avoid a needless fire Despite the rate of people smoking decreasing over the years, careless smoking is still the leading cause of fatal fires in Minnesota Most fires ignited

by cigarettes started in living rooms, dens or bedrooms Mind these tips to stay safe while smoking or vaping:

■ Only smoke outdoors ■ Discard cigarettes in a deep, study ashtray filled with water or sand ■ Do not discard cigarettes in vegetation like mulch, potted plants or leaves ■ Do not smoke while using medical oxygen or near medical oxygen

■ Do not smoke while under the influence of drugs or alcohol ■ Charge e-cigarette batteries in a visible place while you are awake, as fires can ignite from charging

BBQ Grill Safety tips ■ Use outdoor barbecue grills with caution; use only outdoors in a safe area away from the building and other combustibles and not under overhangs or inside garages ■ Make sure to clean excess grease and grime from inside your grill monthly to help avoid an unwanted fire inside your grill ■ Check your propane barbecue grill hose for leaks and cracks; never store propane tanks indoors ■ Just like when cooking on the stove, never leave your grill unattended while cooking

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