Safety

Home Fire Safety Basics

Protecting your home and family from fire starts with simple, proactive steps. Home fires can spread quickly, but following these basics can significantly reduce risks and give you precious time to escape.

  • Working Smoke Alarms: Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside each bedroom, and outside sleeping areas. Test them monthly by pressing the test button. Replace batteries at least once a year (or use 10-year sealed battery models). Replace the entire alarm every 10 years. Interconnected alarms (where one sounds, all sound) provide the best protection.

  • Escape Planning: Create a home fire escape plan with at least two ways out of every room. Practice it with your family at least twice a year, including at night. Designate a meeting place outside. Teach everyone to “Get Out and Stay Out”—never go back inside for belongings or pets.

  • Keep Exits Clear: Ensure all doors, windows, and hallways are free of clutter. This allows quick escape and easy access for firefighters.

  • Fire Extinguishers: Keep a multi-purpose (ABC-rated) fire extinguisher in the kitchen (for grease/oil fires, remember PASS: Pull pin, Aim low, Squeeze handle, Sweep side-to-side) and garage. Check pressure gauges annually and have them serviced as needed. Know how to use them, but prioritize evacuation.

  • Space Heater Safety: Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn (curtains, furniture, bedding). Place them on flat, hard surfaces. Never use extension cords or power strips—plug directly into wall outlets. Choose models with tip-over shut-off and overheat protection. Turn them off when leaving the room or going to sleep.

  • Additional Tips:

    • Never leave cooking unattended—most home fires start in the kitchen.
    • Avoid overloading electrical outlets.
    • Store flammable items safely away from heat sources.

For more resources, visit the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office or NFPA.org.

Rural & Wildland Safety

In rural areas like Tom Green County, homes are often near grasslands, brush, or woods, increasing wildfire risk. Preparing your property can help protect your home and assist firefighters.

  • Watch Weather and Wind Before Burning: Always check for county burn bans and weather conditions. High winds, low humidity, and dry conditions can cause fires to spread rapidly. Refer to the outdoor burning guidelines on this site.

  • Maintain Defensible Space: Create a buffer around your home to slow or stop wildfire spread. Follow these zones recommended by Texas A&M Forest Service and Firewise principles:

    • Zone 0 (0-5 feet from home): Ember-resistant zone—remove all dead plants, mulch, and flammables. Use non-combustible materials like gravel or concrete. Clean gutters, roofs, and decks of leaves/debris.
    • Zone 1 (5-30 feet): Lean and clean—mow grass to 4 inches or less, prune trees 6-10 feet up (no ladder fuels), space shrubs, and remove dead vegetation.
    • Zone 2 (30-100 feet or to property line): Reduce fuels—thin trees for 10+ feet between crowns, remove heavy brush, and create fuel breaks.

  • Keep Water Sources Accessible: If possible, maintain ponds, tanks, or hydrants clear for fire truck access. Mark driveways and addresses clearly for emergency responders.

  • Report Suspicious Smoke Early: Call 9-1-1 immediately if you see smoke or fire. Early reporting can prevent small fires from becoming large wildfires.

  • Additional Tips:

    • Harden your home: Use fire-resistant roofing, siding, and vents (screen with 1/8-inch mesh).
    • Store firewood and propane tanks at least 30 feet from structures.
    • Consider joining or forming a Firewise USA® community for group efforts.

For wildfire risk in your area, visit texaswildfirerisk.com or contact Texas A&M Forest Service.

The Mereta Volunteer Fire Department is committed to your safety—reach out with questions!

Important Safety Information for Outdoor Burning of Brush or Rubbish Piles

Burning brush piles, tree trimmings, leaves, or other yard debris on your property can be allowed in Tom Green County under certain conditions, but safety is critical to prevent wildfires and protect air quality. Outdoor burning follows Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rules, and a county burn ban can prohibit it at any time.

Before You Burn:

  • Check for Burn Bans: Tom Green County often issues burn bans during dry or windy conditions. Always check the current status before burning.

  • Allowed Materials: You may burn on-site trees, brush, grass, leaves, branch trimmings, or other plant growth from your own property. Household rubbish or garbage is generally prohibited unless no collection service is available (check local rules).

  • Prohibited Items: Never burn treated lumber, plastics, rubber, tires, petroleum products, construction debris, or household trash that produces heavy black smoke.

Safe Burning Practices:

  • Burn only during calm winds and favorable weather conditions.
  • Clear a safety zone around the pile (at least 10-15 feet of bare ground).
  • Use a safe burn barrel if possible (in good condition, on blocks, with a ¼-inch screen on top, away from power lines or trees).
  • Have water, a rake, shovel, or extinguisher readily available.
  • Never leave the fire unattended.
  • Ensure the fire is fully extinguished (cold to the touch) before leaving.
  • Start fires early enough to be completely out by sunset if required in your area.

Notify Others:

  • Especially for large brush piles, contact local dispatch at the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line: (325) 655-8111 before burning. You may also reach out directly to the Mereta Volunteer Fire Department. This helps prevent unnecessary emergency responses if smoke is reported.

If a burn ban is in place, conditions are dry or windy, or you’re unsure—do not burn. Alternatives include chipping, composting, or hauling to a landfill.

For full TCEQ outdoor burning rules:
www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/burningu

The Mereta Volunteer Fire Department is here to help keep our community safe. Contact us with any questions—stay safe and prevent wildfires!