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Winter 2023 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Lake Elmo Public Safety <br /> <br />Fire Prevention <br /> <br />This year’s focus is on cooking safety. Your Lake Elmo Fire Department is committed to <br />educating the public about simple but important steps you can take to help reduce the <br />risk of fire when cooking at home. <br /> <br />According to the National Fire Prevention Association, (NFPA) cooking is the leading cause of home fires, with <br />nearly half (49 percent) of all home fires involving cooking equipment; cooking is also the leading cause of home <br />fire injuries. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires and related deaths. In addition, NFPA <br />data shows that cooking is the only major cause of fire that resulted in more fires and fire deaths. <br />Cooking safety starts with YOU! Pay attention to fire prevention and use these helpful tips when in the kitchen: <br /> Always keep a close eye on what you’re cooking. For foods with longer cook times, such as those that are <br />simmering or baking, set a timer to help monitor them carefully. <br /> Clear the cooking area of combustible items and keep anything that can burn, such as dish towels, oven <br />mitts, food packaging, and paper towels. Do not use your oven as a storage place when it’s not in use. <br /> Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, <br />slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. <br /> Create a “kid and pet free zone” of at least three feet around the cooking area and anywhere else hot food <br />or drink is prepared or carried. <br />Working smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms save lives! Test your smoke and CO alarms monthly, including <br />the installation date and replacing batteries every six months. Replace any defective alarm and alarms over ten <br />years of age. <br /> <br />Recreational Fires and Open Burning Permits <br /> <br />Recreational fires continue to be a great way to gather and enjoy the fall weather in Lake Elmo. Hosting a <br />recreational fire on your property comes with a certain level of responsibility. Be a good neighbor and consider the <br />wind speed and direction of smoke before starting the fire. Consider knocking on your neighbor’s door to let them <br />know ahead of time that you will be burning. This drastically reduces the number of nuisance calls made to 911 <br />regarding smoke. <br /> <br />Keep the size of the fire to a limited 3x3x3. Three feet wide, three feet tall, and nothing smaller than three inches <br />in diameter is to be burned. Remember, recreational fires do not include burning leaves, sticks, or yard waste! If <br />the fire gets out of hand don’t wait or hesitate, call 911 immediately. <br /> <br />Open burning permits are required for large scale burning. Permits are issued only after an inspection is <br />performed on site to ensure safe practices are being followed. City Ordinance only permits the burning of <br />dead/disease vegetation, bee hives, ground thawing, and prairie restoration. A variance can be issued for special <br />burning, such as storm debris. <br /> <br />More information can be found on the City of Lake Elmo website, under Public Safety > Fire Department > Open <br />Burning. <br /> <br /> <br />