As
fall approaches, so does cool weather and using
fireplaces within our homes. Over 30% of residential
home fires are attributed to the use of home heating
fires, due to buildup of creosote in chimneys.
The Oak Brook Fire Department offers these helpful
safety tips for using your home fireplace:
Have your chimney inspected and cleaned annually
by a certified chimney specialist.
When burning in your fireplace, always use
a mess screen and keep the glass doors open.
Never restrict air flow to your chimney,
as this may lead to creosote build up and cause
a fire within the chimney.
Never use flammable liquids to start your
fire.
Use only seasoned, hard woods.
Never burn cardboard, trash, wrapping paper
or any other debris in your fireplace.
Insure that your chimney has a spark arrestor
type of cover.
Install/Check your smoke detectors.
Install/Check you Carbon Monoxide Detectors.
OPEN BURNING
Per
the Village of Oak Brook Ordinance 94-FD-C-G-542,August
23, 1994,
the
following shall apply to all Open Burns:
A burn permit is required for open burning
for all fires with the exception of cooking
fires and enclosed commercial fire pits.
The burn site shall be the minimum size for
the intended purpose and will never be more
than 5x5x5 (L x W x H).
The location for any open burning shall not
be less than 50 feet from any structure and
provisions should be made to prevent the fire
from spreading to within 50 feet of any structure
(i.e. garden hose extended within 10 feet of
burn site and attached to a water supply).
All combustibles must be natural landscape
waste. No trash or accelerants (i.e. gasoline,
lighter fluid, etc.) are allowed.
A competent person must constantly attend
the fire until such fire is extinguished.
Please notify the Fire Department two hours
prior to starting the open burn even when a
permit has been issued. (Communications Center
630-368-8701).
All open burning should be extinguished by
sunset, with the exception of ceremonial bonfires
or cooking fires.
The Fire Chief and all authorized personnel
may prohibit any or all open burns when atmospheric
conditions or local circumstances make such
fires hazardous, offensive, or objectionable.
Upon receipt of a complaint regarding open
burning, fire units will respond to the location
of the fire and facilitate extinguishment regardless
if a permit has been obtained.
FIRE
PITS
It’s that
time of year again for graduation parties, barbeques
and outdoor gatherings. Whatever the occasion may
be, “Fire Pit” use has become quite
popular with these summer activities. Even though
the Fire Department discourages use of “Fire
Pits” due to a history of frequent accidents
(fires & burns) and the negative effects smoke
has on the environment, they are permitted to be
used within the Village without obtaining a permit.
As a reminder, there are some safety precautions
one should follow when using a “Fire Pit”.
Use only commercially approved/purchased
Fire Pits and Enclosures.
Follow all manufactures recommendations and
safety precautions.
A competent person should constantly attend
the fire until extinguished.
Avoid placing the Fire Pit near any structures.
Ideally it should be a minimum of 25’
away from any structure (garage/house) to avoid
ignition.
Burn only natural material (i.e. wood logs,
paper, & twigs).
The Fire Pit should have a spark inhibitor
or screen in place at all times.
Do not overfill the pit with wood or other
combustibles.
Use caution on windy days/nights.
A garden hose or other extinguishing device
should be readily available to extinguish the
fire.
Watch out for burning embers flying onto
wood decks, shake shingle roofs, clothing, etc.
Do not use any accelerants to light or fuel
the fire. (i.e. gasoline, lighter fluid, etc.)
Use caution around children and animals.
Burns can be very serious.
Be considerate of your neighbors. You may
be required to extinguish the fire if problems
arise.
