Prevent house fires: Can Your Ashes

Area fire departments respond to fires every year that are caused by people leaving their fireplace or wood stove ashes in a paper bag on their home's deck. These accidents can easily be prevented with correct handling of ashes.

"Can Your Ashes" is a campaign that informs the public of these inherent dangers.

Embers, often concealed in what appears to be cold ashes, can remain hot enough to kindle a fire for several days.

To safely dispose of ashes, fire officials offer these tips:

• Never store ashes in bags or boxes.
• Place discarded ashes in a heavy metal container, douse with water, and cover with fitted metal lid.
• Store the container outside, away from structures, decks, fences, wood piles or other combustible materials.
• Never use a vacuum cleaner to pick up ashes.
• Contact your local trash collection agency for their disposal recommendations after ashes have cooled and embers are out.

It is recommended that you update older wood stoves and fireplaces with more efficient heat sources, which can also significantly improve Lake Tahoe’s air quality and improve water quality. Newer wood stoves that are EPA compliant have catalytic converters that pull many particulates out of the smoke before it is emitted. Similarly, gas stoves emit significantly less pollutants. Replacing inefficient wood heaters saves heat while protecting the Lake.

General fire safety tips:

• Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside each sleeping area, and inside each bedroom. Test them at least once a month.
• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from space heaters and other heat sources.
• Never leave the kitchen when something is cooking.
• Keep candles and matches out of the reach of children.
• Extinguish all fires, even candles, when you leave the room or go to sleep.
• Remember to call 911 for all fires, no matter how small.
This public safety campaign to 'Can Your Ashes' can save lives and property. Please contact your local fire agency for more information.