Well, harvest is in full swing! That means “Field Day Season” is over! Now it’s “Educator In-Service Season!” Yep, we’ve got trainings and conferences to get us ready for “Meeting Season” this winter! That said, there aren’t a lot of upcoming items to discuss. However, this week – Oct. 8-14 – is National Fire Prevention Week …

There have already been a number of combine fires this fall. Yes, being dry has had a lot to do with that. (Let’s hope with rain those chances are lessened!) However, even if the ground is damper, those plant stems and fodder are still dry! Be sure to regularly clean straw and chaff deposits from the engine compartment and around belts/pulleys to reduce the risk of fire. Carry a fire extinguisher on your combine. Be sure it’s been checked and properly maintained and serviced.

At work, at home, on the farm, or in the community … fires do not discriminate where they appear, or what they destroy. The theme for this year’s prevention week is “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!” This reinforces the need for everyone to have an escape plan.

Start with a sketch or a map of your home, business, or outside buildings; include all doors and windows. Identify potential exits from all rooms/areas. Talk with your family and employees about exit strategies so that everyone is aware of the potential ways out. Have an outside meeting place for everyone to gather and to be accounted for; ideally this should be a safe distance from the building.

Be sure to practice your escape plan using the different exit route scenarios, making sure that doors and windows are easily opened when needed. All family members and employees should be able to execute the plan on their own, including children and seniors.

There are two other important practices to take this month: change the batteries in your smoke detector! You need to have at least one detector on each level of your home; if needed, now is a good time to install them!!

Check your portable fire extinguishers. It is recommended to have an extinguisher in the kitchen and garage areas for small fires that can be contained quickly. In addition, there should be fire extinguishers on the combine, tractors, and trucks.

And, then, of course, there are the bonfires accompanying fall parties!! To make your next bonfire safe and enjoyable for all, use a fire pit, as opposed to just building a fire on the ground. This should be about 12-18 inches deep, at least 2 feet wider than the size of the fire, and circled with stones or bricks, away from buildings, parked cars, overhead trees, and other fuel sources.

Use a small amount of wood with kindling materials to start the fire, not starter fluids or fuel. Keep the flames under control: not more than three feet higher than the wood materials.

Have some type of extinguisher on hand: a five-gallon bucket of water, a bucket of sand, or a charged ABC fire extinguisher. In addition, have a shovel nearby to keep hot embers in check and to help extinguish the fire at the end of the evening.

Children should always be under adult supervision, and not allowed to mess with the fire! Of course, fireworks and alcohol do not mix well at bonfires; neither should be allowed near the open flame!

Safety in general includes keeping a first aid kit on hand for minor injuries like splinters, scratches, and burns and a cell phone on hand for calling 911 for larger injuries or to report an out-of-control fire.