As the weather  begins to warm up, Cheyenne Fire and Rescue Prevention Chief Byron Mathews is reminding Cheyenne residents about what can happen if smoking materials are disposed of improperly.

There are nearly 7,600 smoking-related fires in the United States annually; of those 67 percent are caused by smoking materials not being extinguished properly.

Cheyenne Fire and Rescue offers these tips:

  • If you smoke, use only fire-safe cigarettes.
  • To prevent a deadly smoking material fire you must be alert. You will not be alert if you are sleepy, have taken medicine or drugs that make you drowsy, or have consumed alcohol.
  • If you smoke, please smoke outside.
  • Never smoke in bed.
  • Never smoke where medical oxygen is used. Medical oxygen can cause materials to ignite more easily and make fires burn at a faster rate than normal. Medical oxygen can make an existing fire burn faster and hotter.
  • Wherever you smoke, use deep, sturdy ashtrays. If ashtrays are not available, use a metal can or pail. Never empty smoking material directly into a trash can. Place the ashtrays or metal cans away from anything that can burn.
  • Do not throw smoking materials into vegetation, potted plants or landscaping, peat moss, dried grasses, mulch, leaves, and other similar items — they can easily catch fire.
  • Before you throw out cigarette/cigar butts and ashes, make sure they are out. Put them out in water or sand.
  • Before going to bed, check under furniture cushions and around places where people smoke for cigarette butts that may have fallen out of sight.
  • Keep cigarettes, lighters, matches, and other smoking materials up high out of the reach of children, in a locked cabinet.

 

 

 

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