National Fire Prevention Week continues this week and there are several safety tips to keep in mind this fall.

Jefferson Fire Chief Jack Williams says for those looking to use gas grills this fall to cook with, make sure the lid to your grill is open when you try to start it and make sure there are no build up fumes before you start the ignitor on because that can cause an explosion.

As for those residents that are looking to burn yard waste, Williams points out that the piles should be small and kept on the property and not burn them on the city streets or sidewalks. Be mindful of the direction of the wind and that smoke isn’t going to blow into a neighbor’s house if their windows are open. He also recommends keeping the piles away from the home or garage.

“If you have a large pile that you have concerns about, we will come out and look at it and give you suggestions. Also for a donation, we would come out and help burn the pile if needed.”

Finally, as we draw closer to the holiday season, Williams notes to make sure people use surge protectors if they are going to be plugging in several holiday decorations, so that the outlets aren’t overburdened.