Mid-September Fire Safety: Grain Bin Safety & Fall Debris Management

Mid-September Fire Safety: Grain Bin Safety & Fall Debris Management

​With harvest activity in full swing across Logan County this mid-September, the New Holland Fire Department is focusing on two critical safety areas for the weeks ahead: grain storage safety on the farm and safe disposal of fall yard debris around the home.

​Taking proactive steps during this busy time helps ensure our community stays safe both in the fields and in town.

​1. Grain Bin & Silo Safety

​Grain handling involves specialized hazards, from grain dust explosion risks to mechanical entanglements and grain entrapment.

• ​Manage Grain Dust: Combustible grain dust is highly explosive when suspended in the air in enclosed spaces. Regularly sweep and vacuum grain legs, tunnels, and headhouses to keep dust accumulations below 1/16 of an inch.
• ​Lockout/Tagout Gear: Never enter a grain bin without locking out and tagging all unloading equipment, augers, and sweep systems to prevent accidental startup.
• ​Never Enter Flowing Grain: Moving grain acts like quicksand. If entry is absolutely necessary, always use a harness and lifeline, and never enter a bin alone—have a trained observer outside the bin in constant communication.

​2. Fall Yard Debris & Outdoor Burning

​As trees begin dropping leaves and late-summer yard cleanups continue, outdoor burning requires extra caution due to dry vegetation and shifting fall winds.

• ​Check Local Regulations & Weather: Before starting any open burn, check wind speeds and humidity levels. Avoid burning on dry, windy afternoons when embers can easily travel to nearby fields or structures.
• ​Maintain Clear Margins: Keep burn piles at least 50 feet away from any structures, trees, or unharvested crop fields. Clear a 10-foot dirt perimeter around the pile.
• ​Stay with the Fire: Never leave an open burn unattended. Keep a hose connected to a water supply, or have a tractor with a blade nearby until the fire is completely extinguished.

​Free Home Smoke Detector Program:

While reviewing safety protocols for your farm or yard, remember to check your home's smoke alarms. Smoke detectors lose sensitivity after 10 years and require full replacement.

​Through the "Be Alarmed!" program, the New Holland Fire Department provides and installs free 10-year sealed lithium battery smoke alarms for all residents within our district.

​Schedule your free installation: Call us at (217) 445-2341 or email us at firehouse@newhollandfire.com.




​Stay safe in the fields and at home, New Holland! In any emergency, dial 911 immediately.