Garden cleaning, fire protection tips for autumn

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels team is reminding residents to prepare for the fall fires. Now is the time to conserve energy next spring by cleaning and raking fallen leaves, pine needles and cones from trees and removing any dead vegetation that may have built up.

Contact your local fire department and take advantage of the free shredding services before the season ends. If you haven't had a reasonable clearance rating, it may be time to schedule one before the season ends. Remove any residue from your gutter and check for proper drainage.

Make sure the outdoor installations are drained and properly stored for wintering.

Also, be sure to check important safety issues at home. Make sure your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are working properly (check batteries when daylight saving time ends on November 1st.

Make sure the heater has been checked and serviced by a qualified professional. The chimney and vents should also be cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional.

Since creosote build-up is the number one cause of fireplace fires, make sure you have an ash container on hand to properly store the ashes of the firebox and keep it on a non-flammable surface at least 10 feet from the stove. House and neighboring building.

Check that the fireplace screen is in good condition and in a safe position in front of the fireplace. If you are using space heaters, make sure they are turned off automatically and plug them directly into an electrical outlet (not an extension cord).

Portable heaters must be at least 3 feet away from flammable objects.

For more information on defensible space and preparing for forest fires, see Tahoe Living With Fire . For more information on home safety tips, visit nfpa.org.

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