OPEN BURNING​

• Be sure to follow appropriate rules and regulations.  For Indiana's open burning law, click here.

• Reminder an Open Burning Permit is required from the Fire Department Headquarters for any open burning.

• For all open fires, be sure to have a fire extinguisher and/or a garden hose within reach. 

• Never let children play near the fire.

• Never leave a fire unattended.  All embers should be extinguished.

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SUMMER SAFETY​

• Swim with a buddy.  Adults should never leave children unattended near water.

• Dive only in areas clearly marked for diving.  Avoid diving in shallow pools, lakes and ponds.

• Always wear seatbelts and use car seats for infants and children.

• NEVER LEAVE CHILDREN OR PETS ALONE IN CARS ON HOT DAYS!! Even with windows down, temperatures climb quickly. 

• Thirst is a late sign of dehydration.  Drink clear fluids, or sports drinks, frequently on hot days. 

• Wear helmets, elbow pads, knee pads and wrist protection when biking, skateboarding or rollerblading. in front of you. Wear light or bright colored clothing so you are easily seen!  Never ride at night!  Watch for vehicles turning When bike riding, know the rules!  Ride with traffic and not against it.

• Adults need to know all the rules when operating a boat or other watercraft. 

• Always wear a PFD (personal flotation device) when on the water!

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CHRISTMAS TREES IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS

Natural cut trees, where allowed by this section, shall have the trunk bottoms cut off at least 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) above the original cut and shall be placed in a support device complying with Indiana Fire Code (IFC) Section 806.1.2.

• Natural cut trees shall be prohibited in (Churches, Gyms, Restaurants, Taverns, Libraries, Schools, Daycares, Nursing Homes, Assisting Living Centers, Hospitals, Hotels, Apartments, Retail Stores, Mercantile Store and etc) Group A, E, I-1, I-2, I-3, I-4, M, R-1, R-2 and R-4 occupancies. IFC 806.1

  • Exceptions:

    • ​Trees located in areas protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with IFC Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 shall not be prohibited in Groups A, E, M, R-1 and R-2.

    • Trees shall be allowed within dwelling units in Group R-2 occupancies.

• IFC 806.1.2 Support devices.

          The support device that holds the tree in an upright position shall be of a type that is stable and that meets all of the following
         conditions:
         1. The device shall hold the tree securely and be of adequate size to avoid tipping over of the tree.
         2. The device shall be capable of containing a minimum two-day supply of water.
         3. The water level, when full, shall cover the tree stem at least 2 inches (51 mm). The water level shall be maintained above 
         the fresh cut and checked at least once daily.

• IFC 806.1.3 Dryness.
  The tree shall be removed from the building whenever the needles or leaves fall off readily when a tree branch is shaken or if needles are brittle and break when bent between the thumb and index finger. The tree shall be checked daily for dryness.

• IFC 806.1.4  A natural cut tree.
  At least two (2) days prior to placing a natural cut tree in a public building the fire department having jurisdiction shall be notified.

• IFC 806.2 Artificial vegetation.
  Artificial decorative vegetation shall meet the flame propagation performance criteria of NFPA 701. Meeting the flame
  propagation performance criteria of NFPA 701 shall be documented and certified by the manufacturer in an approved manner.

• IFC 806.3 Obstruction of means of egress.                                                                                                                                                                              The required width of any portion of a means of egress shall not be obstructed by decorative vegetation.

• IFC 806.4 Open flame.
  Candles and open flames shall not be used on or near decorative vegetation. Natural cut trees shall be kept a distance from heat vents and any open flame or heat-producing devices at least equal to the height of the tree.

• IFC 806.5  Electrical fixtures and wiring.
  The use of unlisted electrical wiring and lighting on natural cut trees and artificial decorative vegetation shall be prohibited. The use of electrical wiring and lighting on artificial trees constructed entirely of metal shall be prohibited. Extension cords and flexible cords shall not be a substitute for permanent wiring. Extension cords and flexible cords shall not be affixed to structures, extended through walls, ceilings or floors, or under doors or floor coverings, nor shall such cords be subject to environmental damage or physical impact. Extension cords shall be used only with portable appliances.

• IFC 605.5
  Extension cords shall be plugged directly into an approved receptacle, power tap or multiplug adapter and, except for 
  approved multiplug extension cords, shall serve only one portable appliance. IFC 605.5.1 The ampacity of the extension cords shall not be less than the rated capacity of the portable appliance supplied by the cord.

• IFC 605.5.2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Extension cords shall be maintained in good condition without splices, deterioration or damage.

• IFC 605.5.3 Extension cords shall be grounded when serving grounded portable appliances. IFC 605.5.4 Portable, electric space heaters shall not be plugged into extension cords. IFC 605.10.3 Portable, electric space heaters shall not be operated within 3 feet (914 mm) of any combustible materials. Portable, electric space heaters shall be operated only in locations for which they are listed. IFC 605.10.4
  Natural or "real" Christmas trees are allowed in private dwellings or in the interior of individual apartments however fire official 
  offer those same fire safety recommendations as related to preventing your tree from drying out, the approved electrical cord 
  use, lighting of the tree, use of open flame devices nearby, portable heaters nearby and keeping your paths of egress
  unobstructed. These issues become even more important in your home, where you sleep and you live with your loved ones.
  And as always, make sure your smoke detector is in good working condition before installing your new Christmas tree.

 

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