From the Office of the Fire Chief

As we shed the winter clothing and look forward to warmer spring and summer temperatures, I would like to remind everyone about a few summer fire and life safety tips.

Outdoor Campfires can be a fun way to relax, unwind, and have fun with family and friends.  Often children can get excited around a campfire and all want to help add wood, and of course cook their own marshmallow.  Please keep children well supervised around the fire area.  All too often we see youngsters with burns to their hands and arms due to running and falling, or just getting too close to the fire.

The State of New Hampshire requires all outdoor campfires to be permitted.  Burning permits can be obtained by calling the Exeter Fire Station, (603-772-1212), or you can bring a previous year’s permit to the station and have it renewed.

A burning permit for a Category I fire, (any fire pit or device 24” or less in size.) can be obtained once for the entire calendar year, and there are no restrictions as to time of day you can burn.
A burning permit for a Category II fire, (any fire pit or device 24” up to 48” in size.) can be obtained once for the entire calendar year, however these fires can only be used between the hours of 5pm-9am.
A burning permit for a Category III fire, (brush and limbs under 5” in diameter and other common yard debris), must be obtained each day you wish to burn, and a firefighter will inspect your pile and issue the permit on-site if approved. These fires too can only be burning between the hours of 5pm-9am.

Please keep plenty of water (hose or buckets) on hand, a shovel or rake, and never leave a fire unattended.  Always make sure your fire is completely extinguished before retiring for the evening.

BBQ & Grilling is a great way to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather and longer daylight.  Make sure your gas bottle and hose fittings are tight to eliminate gas leaks.  Always keep at least a 3 foot safety zone around your grill and never leave the grill unattended.

If using charcoal, always use approved lighter fluid, not gasoline.  Many believe using charcoal is worth the wait to heat up, but remember it also takes a long time for charcoal to cool off.  Leave the charcoal in the BBQ to cool or place used charcoal in a metal bucket with water.         

                  Grills and BBQs are not allowed on any multi-family porch or deck

Have fun and get outside!  Remember to bike with a helmet, boat with a life jacket, swim with a friend – not alone, and use plenty of SPF15+ sunscreen when sunbathing.

Thank you and have a safe summer,

Chief Eric Wilking