Safety Tips – Nunn Fire Protection District

A few things that make the biggest difference on the calls we run. If you have a question about any of this, call us at (970) 897-2329.

Smoke alarms

Put a smoke alarm on every level of the home, inside each bedroom, and outside each sleeping area.
Test every alarm once a month with the test button.
Replace batteries when the alarm chirps, and replace the entire alarm every 10 years.
Never disable an alarm because of nuisance cooking smoke — move the alarm or use one designed for that location instead.

Carbon monoxide has no smell, color, or taste. It comes from furnaces, water heaters, wood and gas stoves, generators, and vehicles.

Install CO alarms outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.
Have fuel-burning appliances and chimneys inspected every year.
Never run a generator, grill, or vehicle inside a garage, shop, or any enclosed space — even with the door open.
If a CO alarm sounds, get everyone outside into fresh air and call 911. Do not go back in.

Know two ways out of every room.
Pick a meeting place outside, a safe distance from the house, and make sure everyone knows it.
Practice the plan twice a year, including at night.
Once you are out, stay out. Never go back inside for belongings or animals — tell us what is inside and where.

Most of our district is open prairie, and a grass fire can move faster than you can. Preparation matters here.

Keep grass and weeds cut short within 30 feet of structures, and keep that area clear of firewood, fuel cans, and equipment.
Keep gutters and roofs clear of dry leaves and debris.
Do not park or idle a vehicle in tall dry grass — exhaust systems start fires.
Check that trailer chains are not dragging. Chain sparks start roadside fires along I-25 and Highway 85.
Keep a charged fire extinguisher and a shovel in farm and ranch vehicles.
If you see smoke or fire, call 911 right away. Early is better — we would much rather come out for a small one.

Rural addresses can be hard to find at night or in bad weather, and minutes matter.

Post your address number where it is visible from the road, on both sides if the sign is perpendicular to traffic.
Use reflective numbers at least 4 inches tall, in a color that contrasts with the background.
Keep the number clear of brush, snow, and parked vehicles.
If you have a long driveway, mark the entrance and make sure it can take a fire apparatus — gates, cattle guards, and low branches all slow us down.
When you call 911, give cross streets or mile markers if you can.

Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from space heaters, wood stoves, and furnaces.
Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet, never an extension cord or power strip.
Turn space heaters off when you leave the room or go to bed.
Have chimneys and wood stoves cleaned and inspected annually.
Put ashes in a metal container with a lid, and set it outside on a non-combustible surface, away from the house. Ashes stay hot for days.

Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling.
Keep towels, packaging, and curtains away from the stovetop.
For a pan fire, slide a lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Never carry a burning pan and never use water on a grease fire.
If a fire is in the oven, keep the door closed and turn it off.
If a fire is spreading, get out and call 911.