Late-August Fire Safety: Wrapping Up Summer and Preparing for Fall

Late-August Fire Safety: Wrapping Up Summer and Preparing for Fall

​As we head into the final stretch of August here in Central Illinois, the New Holland Fire Department wants to help our community finish out the summer season safely. With warm weather still upon us and back-to-school routines kicking into gear, taking a few moments to review seasonal safety can prevent preventable emergencies.

​Here are some important late-summer fire safety tips for your home, yard, and family:

​1. Late-Summer Campfire & Fire Pit Safety

​Dry late-summer grass, fallen twigs, and breezy afternoons mean backyard fire pits and campfires need extra caution.

• ​Maintain Clear Space: Keep fire pits at least 15 feet away from your home, wooden decks, sheds, and overhanging tree branches. Clear away all dry leaves and grass within a 10-foot radius of the pit.
• ​Keep Water Ready: Always keep a charged garden hose or a 5-gallon bucket of water right next to the fire pit while it is burning.
• ​Douse and Stir: Never let a fire burn itself out overnight. Douse the coals thoroughly with water, stir the ashes with a shovel, and douse them again until the entire pit is cold to the touch.

​2. Back-to-School Cooking and Routine Safety

​With children and teenagers back in school, many households experience more activity during after-school hours.

• ​Stove and Microwave Rules: Make sure younger family members know basic kitchen safety, such as keeping paper towels, dish towels, and plastic packaging away from hot stovetop burners.
• ​Create a Safe Zone: Remind everyone to keep a 3-foot safe zone around active cooking appliances.
• ​Review Escape Plans: Take 10 minutes as a family to review your home fire escape plan, ensure everyone knows two ways out of every room, and check your designated outdoor meeting place.

​3. Storing Summer Gear & Fuel Safely

​As you transition away from peak summer lawn care and outdoor projects:

• ​Gasoline Storage: Store gasoline and fuel cans safely in a well-ventilated, detached outbuilding or shed. Never store fuel near pilot lights, water heaters, or furnaces inside your home.
• ​Inspect Power Equipment: Before putting away mowers or trimmers for the season, clear away packed grass clippings and dry debris from around hot engine components.

​Free Home Smoke Alarm Program Reminder:

August is a great time to ensure your home is fully protected. Smoke alarms older than 10 years must be replaced entirely to remain reliable.

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

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




​Have a safe and wonderful end to your summer, New Holland! If you ever face an emergency, never hesitate to dial 911 immediately.

August Fire Safety: Late-Summer Hazards and Back-to-School Preparedness

August Fire Safety: Late-Summer Hazards and Back-to-School Preparedness

​As August brings peak summer heat and the transition into late-summer routines across Central Illinois, the New Holland Fire Department wants to remind our residents about seasonal fire safety. From outdoor entertaining and grilling to back-to-school routines and yard maintenance, August presents unique hazards that require our attention.

​Here are a few essential fire safety tips tailored for the month of August:

​1. Late-Summer Grilling & Outdoor Gatherings

​With long daylight hours and warm evenings, August is a prime month for backyard barbecues and cookouts.

• ​Maintain a Safe Distance: Always keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your home, siding, deck railings, and overhanging tree branches.
• ​Never Leave a Grill Unattended: Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the hot grill area at all times.
• ​Proper Ash Disposal: If you use a charcoal grill, let the coals cool completely for at least 48 hours before disposal, or douse them thoroughly with water and place them in a metal container. Never dump hot coals into plastic trash cans or dry grass.

​2. Back-to-School Electrical and Appliance Safety

​As families get ready for the upcoming school year, bedrooms and study spaces often see an increase in plugged-in electronics, laptops, desk lamps, and chargers.

• ​Avoid Overloading Outlets: Do not overload wall outlets or daisy-chain power strips and extension cords.
• ​Charge Safely: Always charge laptops, tablets, and phones on hard, flat surfaces. Never leave devices charging on beds, pillows, or couches where heat can become trapped and start a fire.
• ​Inspect Cords: Check all back-to-school electronics and desk lamp cords for fraying or cracking before use, and replace any damaged items immediately.

​3. Yard Maintenance in the August Heat

​Dry August weather and high temperatures can make lawns and brush vulnerable to stray sparks.

• ​Watch Out for Hot Equipment: Mowers and utility vehicles have hot exhaust systems that can easily ignite dry grass or weeds if parked over them. Always let equipment cool down before storing it.
• ​Clear Debris: Keep dry leaves and debris cleared away from your home's foundation and outdoor structures.

​Free Smoke Detector Program Reminder:

August is a great time to review your home safety checklist. Smoke alarms older than 10 years must be replaced to remain reliable.

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

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




​Have a wonderful end to your summer, New Holland! In any emergency, never hesitate to dial 911.

Chare Into Fire Safety

Charge Into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Habits for Every Home

​From power tool batteries in the shed to smartphones, tablets, laptops, and cordless mowers, our homes are filled with lithium-ion battery-powered devices. While these rechargeable batteries make modern life convenient, they store a massive amount of energy in a compact space. If charged incorrectly or damaged, they can pose serious fire hazards.

​As we look ahead toward this fall's National Fire Prevention Week (October 4–10) and its theme, "Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower," the New Holland Fire Department wants to give our community a head start on practical charging habits to protect your home and family.

​1. Ditch the Soft Surfaces

​When a battery charges, it naturally generates heat.

• ​Hard, Flat Surfaces Only: Always charge devices on a table, desk, counter, or bare floor where air can circulate around the casing.

• ​Never Charge on Beds or Couches: Placing a phone, laptop, or tablet on a mattress, blanket, sofa, or under a pillow traps heat. Overheating is one of the leading causes of lithium-ion battery failure and fires.

​2. Stick to Official Chargers

​It’s tempting to grab a cheap, unbranded replacement charger online, but off-brand cords and power blocks often lack built-in safety controls designed to prevent overcharging and voltage spikes.

• ​Always use the charger and cable provided by the device manufacturer or ones explicitly certified for your specific device.

​3. Unplug When Fully Charged

​Leaving devices plugged into wall outlets indefinitely puts unnecessary stress and heat on the battery cells.

• ​Once your phone, power tool battery, or lawn equipment reaches 100%, disconnect it from the charger.

• ​Avoid leaving power tool or e-bike batteries charging unattended overnight or while you are away from home.

​4. Know the Warning Signs of Battery Failure

​Lithium-ion batteries often give clear warnings before going into thermal runaway. Immediately unplug and stop using a device if you notice:

• ​The device feels excessively hot to the touch while charging or in use.

• ​The battery casing begins to swell, bulge, or crack.

• ​You smell an unusual chemical or metallic odor.

• ​You hear popping or hissing sounds coming from the unit.

​If a battery begins smoking or catches fire indoors, leave the home immediately, close the door behind you to contain the smoke, and dial 911.

​Free Home Smoke Detector Program:

Proper charging habits are your first line of defense, but working smoke alarms remain your ultimate safety net. Smoke detectors older than 10 years must be replaced to remain effective.

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

​Schedule your free installation: Call us today at (217) 445-2341 or visit newhollandfire.com.

​Stay safe and stay vigilant, New Holland! In any emergency, never hesitate to dial 911.