The more self-sufficient our home lives become, the more need we have to manage our homestead trash efficiently. If you already burn your trash regularly or are considering doing so, make sure that you’re going about it safely. What follows, are a few important safety tips that you can use to help keep your property safe.
- Before burning, check conditions and your local weather forecast . Make sure that conditions are neither windy or dry.
- Make sure that there’s no restrictions for your area.
Create a Fire-Resistance Zone
If your property is in a wildland-urban interface (zone of transition between wildland and human development), create a 30-foot fire-resistant zone around the property.
- Also consider using fire-resistant plants and landscaping.
- When disposing of charcoal, always completely cover and stir with water several times making sure the fire is completely out.
- When people are smoking outside on the premises, make sure to keep a 3-foot clearance around the smoker.
- Always grind out a cigarette, cigar or pipe tobacco in the dirt, not on a log, stump or wood.
- It’s best to use an ashtray.
- No smoking on trails. Ashes could land in dry brush and sparks could start a fire.
Monica Whiteis a freelance writer, member of the Georgia Air National Guard, and an avid runner and cyclist who loves the great outdoors and all things DIY. She divides her time between Tampa and her central Florida property, where she’s growing a self-sufficient homestead. Connect with Monica on heroutdoor lifestyle blog, onFacebook, TwitterandInstagram. Read all of her MOTHER EARTH NEWS posts here.
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