Burn Permit
General Information:
- For a burn permit contact the D’Iberville Fire Department at 228-392-3525.
- Burn permits should be requested no earlier than 24 hours prior to the scheduled burn.
- Depending on type of burn request, a site inspection may be conducted by fire department personnel prior to issuing a burn permit.
- Small fires used for cooking are exempt from requiring a burn permit.
Rules and Regulations:
- The fire must be constantly attended by a competent adult throughout its entirety and until completely extinguished.
- There must be a water hose connected to a water supply or other extinguishment readily available at all times.
- The fire shall be located no closer than 25’ from a woodline or 50’ from any structure on the premises. Unless in an approved waste burner, which may be located no closer than 15’ from any structure.
- No plastic or rubber including but not limited to vehicle tires shall be burned.
- Only natural product such as leaves, tree limbs or non-treated wood shall be permitted to be burned.
- The size of the burn area shall be determined at the sole discretion of the fire department officials.
- Fire department officials reserve the right to deny and/or revoke any permit.
- Burning is permitted daylight to dark only.
- In the event the fire department receives complaints due to smoke or other issues the permit may be revoked at which time the burn will be extinguished.
- Permit holders must notify the D’Iberville Fire Department each day before burning to ensure proper weather conditions exist. At no time will a burn be approved during windy conditions.
The permit holder assumes any and all liabilities pertaining to and/or incurred as a result of the burn.
Fire Safety Tips
Appliance Safety
- When using appliances follow the manufacturer’s safety precautions.
- appliances need to be shut off, then replaced or repaired.
- Unplug appliances when not in use.
- Use safety caps to cover all unused outlets, especially if there are small children at home.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide also known as CO is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. At low levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headache, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure.
Carbon Monoxide can come from several sources: gas-fired appliances, charcoal grills, wood-burning furnaces, fireplaces and motor vehicles.
Protect yourself and your family from CO poisoning:
- Install at least one UL listed Carbon Monoxide alarm with audible warning signal near the sleeping areas and outside individual
bedrooms. Carbon Monoxide alarms measure levels of CO over time and are designed to sound an alarm before an average, healthy adult would experience symptoms. It is very possible that you may not be experiencing symptoms when you hear the alarm. This does not mean that CO is not present. - Never use a gas range or oven to heat your home. Only use gas heaters inside when they are properly ventilated to the outside to
allow the exhaust fumes that contain CO to escape in to the atmosphere. - Have a qualified professional check all fuel burning appliances, furnaces and chimney systems for proper ventilation at least once a year.
- Never keep a vehicle running in the garage. Even if the garage doors are open, normal circulation will not provide enough fresh air to reliably prevent a dangerous buildup of CO.
- If you CO detector goes off, exit your home and call your local fire department. Most fire departments have portable CO monitoring equipment to check the levels of CO present in your home. They also have the equipment to safely ventilate you home to help remove the CO fumes.
- In the event a high level of CO fumes are detected in your home contact a qualified professional service technician immediately to check and repair your equipment.
Electrical Safety
- Never overload circuits or extension cords.
- Do not place cords or wires under rugs, over nails or in high traffic areas.
- Immediately shut off and unplug appliances that sputter, spark or emit an unusual smell.
- Have them professionally repaired or replaced.
Fire Extinguishers
They remain your best bet if you’re on the spot when a fire begins.
- Fire extinguishers should be mounted in the kitchen, garage, and workshop.
- Purchase an ABC type extinguisher for extinguishing all types of fires.
- Learn how to use your fire extinguisher before there is an emergency.
- Remember, use an extinguisher on small fire only. If there is a large fire, get out immediately and call 911 from another location.
- If you have any questions concerning fire extinguishers in your home contact your local fire department.
Kids and Fire: A Bad Match
Children are one of the highest risk groups for deaths in residential fires. At home, children usually play with fire – lighters, matches and other ignitables – in bedrooms, in closets, and under beds. These are “secret” places where there are a lot of things that can catch fire easily.
- Children of all ages set over 35,000 fires annually.
- Every year over 400 children nine years and younger die in home fires.
- Keep matches and lighters locked up and away from children. Check under beds and in closets for burnt matches, evidence your child may be playing with matches.
- Teach your child that fire is a tool, not a toy.
Tuck Yourself In For A Safe Sleep
- Never smoke in bed.
- Replace mattresses made before 1973 Federal Mattress Flammability Standard. Mattresses made since then are required by law to be safer.
- Finally, having working smoke alarms dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. Place at least one smoke alarm on each level of your home and in halls outside bedrooms. And remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.
Smoke Detectors
Smoke is responsible for three out of four fire related deaths.
- Install smoke detectors on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas.
- Test every detector at least once a month.
- Keep smoke detectors dust free. Replace batteries with new ones at least once a year, or sooner if the detector makes a chirping sound.
- If you have a smoke detector directly wired into your electrical system, be sure that the little signal light is blinking periodically. This tells you the alarm is active.
- Change the battery in your smoke detectors every six months. Daylight savings time is a good time to change the batteries, set your clocks, change your batteries.
- It is recommended that you replace your smoke detectors every ten years.
- Inexpensive smoke detectors are available for the hearing impaired.
Space Heaters
- Always make sure that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working.
- Never use fuel burning appliances without proper ventilation.
- Be sure your space heater is in good working condition. All space heaters need frequent check ups and cleaning.
- Use only the proper fuel for each heater.
- Store kerosene, gasoline and other flammable liquids outside the home at all times.
- Use an approved safety can for storing flammable liquids.
- Maintain a minimum of – 3 feet – clearance from walls and other combustible materials in all directions around a space heater.
- Never leave children unsupervised alone in a room with a space heater.
- Keep young children away from space heaters.
- If you use an electric space heater, be sure your house wiring is adequate. Never use extension cords for space heaters. Use an approved power strip with a built in circuit breaker to prevent overloading.
- Never cover a heaters cord with carpeting or furniture.
- Avoid using electric space heaters in the bathroom.
- When refilling a flammable liquid fueled heater, avoid overfilling it.
- Never fill a flammable liquid fueled heater while it is burning.
- Turn off your heater or turn it on low before going to bed.
Weather Safety Tips
Cold Weather Emergency
- Always dress appropriately before going outdoors. Cold emergencies can occur even if the temperature is not below freezing, especially with children and the elderly.
- Dress in layers so you can adjust to changing conditions.
- Wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears. A very large percentage of your body heat is lost through your head.
- Wear gloves or mittens to help protect your hands.
- Keep your feet warm and dry. If your daily activities include working around water or ice, wear waterproof boots.
- Get out of wet clothes as soon as possible. Use blankets and warm liquids to help warm your body.
- Recognize the symptoms of hypothermia- confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. If you experience these symptoms seek medical assistance immediately.
- Recognize the signs of frostbite- gray, white or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, waxy feeling skin. If you show signs of frostbite seek medical assistance immediately.
Heat Illness
- Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the suns energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
- Drink water or juice, and drink continuously even you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol or caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
- Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein which increase metabolic heat.
- Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
- Slow down; avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day.
- Stay indoors when possible.
- Take regular breaks: When engaged in physical activity on warm days take time out to find a cool place. If you recognize that you, or someone else, is showing signs of a heat related illness, stop activity and find a cool place. Remember have fun but stay cool.
Don’t Drive in Flood Waters
TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN
- Avoid already flooded areas, and areas subject to sudden flooding. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams. Most flood fatalities are caused by people attempting to drive through water, or people playing in high water. The depth of water is not always obvious. The roadbed may be washed out under the water, and you could be stranded or trapped. Rapidly rising water may stall the engine and engulf the vehicle and its occupants, and sweep them away. Look out for flooding at highways dips, bridges, and low areas. Two feet of water will carry away most vehicles.
- If you are driving and come upon rapidly rising waters remember, TURN AROUND DON’T DROWN. Move to higher ground. If your route is blocked by flood waters or barricades find another route. Barricades are put up by local officials to protect people from unsafe roads. Driving around barricades is a serious risk and against the law. You could end up being fined or even worst it could cost you your life.
- If your vehicle becomes surrounded by water or if the engine stalls, and if you can safely get out, abandon your vehicle immediately and climb to higher ground. Many deaths have resulted from attempts to move stalled vehicles. When the vehicle stalls in water, the waters momentum is transferred to the vehicle. The lateral force of a foot of water moving at 10 miles per hour is about 500 pounds on the average automobile. The greatest effect is buoyancy—for every foot the water rises up the side of a car, it displaces 1,500 pounds of the cars weight. So, two feet of water moving at 10 miles per hour will float virtually any car. Many persons have been swept away by flood waters upon leaving vehicles, which are later found without much damage. Use caution when abandoning your vehicle, and look for an opportunity to move away quickly and safely to higher ground.
Floods
If your residence is in a flood prone area:
- Fill bathtubs, sinks, and plastic bottles with clean water. Water may become contaminated or service may be interrupted.
- Bring indoor belongings, such as patio furniture, indoors. Unsecured items may be swept away and damaged by flood waters.
- Move your furniture and valuables to higher floors of your home. If flood waters affect your home, higher floors are less likely to receive damage.
- If you are instructed by local authorities, turn off all utilities at the main power switch and close the main gas valve. Some areas, local authorities may advise you to turn off utilities to prevent further damage to homes in the community.
- Get your pre assembled disaster supplies ready. You may need to act quickly. Having your supplies ready will save time.
- Fill your cars gas tank, in case an evacuation notice is issued. If electric power is shut off, gas stations may not be able to operate pumps for several days.
- Be prepared to evacuate. Local officials may ask you to leave if they truly feel your home is at risk from flood waters.
- Stay out of areas subject to flooding. Dips, low spots, canyons, washes, etc., can become filled with water.
- If outdoors climb to high ground and stay there. Move away from dangerous flood waters.
- If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around, and go the other way. Never try to walk, swim, or drive through such swift water. Most flood fatalities are caused by people attempting to drive through water, or people playing in high water. If it is moving swiftly, even water six inches deep can sweep you off your feet.
Lightning
- Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are imminent.
- Seek shelter. Do not take shelter in small sheds, under isolated trees or in convertible automobiles. Stay away from tall towers, fences power poles and power lines.
- If lightning is occurring and a sturdy shelter is not available, get inside a hard top automobile, keep the windows up and do not touch any metal.
- Avoid using the telephone or any electrical appliances during a lightning event.
- Do not take a bath or shower during a thunderstorm.
If you are caught outdoors during a lightning storm:
- Find a low spot away from trees, fences and poles. Make sure the spot you choose is not subject to flooding.
- If you are in the woods take shelter under shorter trees.
- If you feel your skin tingle or you hair stand on end, squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet. Place your hands over your ears and your head between your knees. Make yourself the smallest target possible and minimize your contact with the ground. Do not lie down.
- If you are boating or swimming get to land immediately and find shelter.
Remember, if you can hear thunder – you are close enough to be struck by lightning!
For more information or tips weather safety go to www.nws.noaa.gov
Tornado
Although more common during the afternoon and evening hours, and during Spring and Fall, Tornadoes can develop at any time during the day or night, and any time during the year. Tornadoes can travel across the ground at more than 60 mph, and produce winds greater than 300 mph. Very few homes in the Southern Mississippi area have underground basements or shelters, so the following may help increase your chances of surviving a tornado.
- If you have some type of underground shelter the safest place would be in the area of the northeast corner.
- If in homes or small buildings go to the smallest, most interior room on the lowest floor, such as a closet or bathroom and use blankets or other items to help protect you body against flying debris.
- In larger buildings such as schools, hospitals or shopping centers go to the smallest, most interior room or hallway on the lowest floor. Stay away from large open areas such as auditoriums and warehouses or areas with large glass walls. Remember to crouch down and cover your head.
- In high rise buildings go to the smallest, most interior room or hallway. Stay away from windows and exterior walls.
- If you are in cars, campers or mobile homes abandon them immediately. Leave them and go to a substantial structure. Do not seek shelter beneath an overpass, they provide little or no shelter and could be deadly.
- If caught in the open, lie flat in a culvert, ditch or depression and cover your head.
It is also a good idea to purchase a Severe Weather Alert Radio. This will alert you of severe weather warnings being issued for your area, especially during nighttime hours.
Holiday Safety Tips
Fire Safety
The Christmas holidays are a wonderful time of year but can also be a dangerous time of year. Christmas holidays bring more home parties, home decorating, cooking, and of course lower temperatures, which mean more home heating. Here are some tips to help you and your family, enjoy the holiday season safely.
- Do not leave food cooking unattended. Kitchen fires are one of the leading causes of home fires in the U.S.
- Parties are very common during the holiday season. Provide your guest with plenty of deep ashtrays. Cigarette butts can smolder in trashcans or on upholstery and cause a fire when you least expect it. Douse ashtrays with water before discarding. After the party always check on, between and under upholstery and in trashcans for smoldering cigarette butts.
- Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.
- When decorating check for any damaged or frayed wires and use only UL approved lighting.
- Remember heater safety. Do not place heaters near combustible materials, and have you heaters checked yearly by a certified technician.
Travel Safety
Holiday traveling can be fun but also dangerous. A large number of people prefer to travel by car instead of flying or by train. Here are some tips to help you travel safely during the holiday season.
- Traveling during the winter months can be challenging for a lot of drivers especially in the Northern States. Allow for extra time,
monitor weather conditions and adhere to travel advisories.
- If you may be traveling in harsh winter conditions or secluded areas it would be a good idea to include a winter storm survival kit when packing your car. The kit should include items such as blankets, food, flares, chains, gloves and first aid supplies.
- Prior to leaving home make sure you make arrangements to keep your home safe. Check your home and make sure that nothing is left on that could cause a fire, and make sure that you leave no candles burning. Make arrangements for pets. Have a neighbor that you trust help keep an eye on your home while you are away. You can also advise your local law enforcement agency that you will not be home and they will keep a check on your home while you are away. Leave an emergency contact number that you may be reached at with your neighbor or the police in the event that you need to be contacted. Have the Post Office hold your mail and hold off on having your paper delivered during your time away from home. These are just a few things to help make your holiday time more enjoyable.
Children’s Mardi Gras Safety
The City of D’Iberville Fire Department would like for everyone to have a fun and safe Mardi Gras Season. A big concern is to those who are unable to keep themselves safe without proper supervision. Here is some safety tips for dealing with children.
- If you don’t have children please keep an eye out for the little ones. They would like to have as good a time as you.
- First and foremost have a pre-designated meeting place in the event that someone in your group gets lost. It is a good idea to have children carry some sort of identification card that includes their name, address, telephone number, and prearranged meeting place.
- Make sure your children know that if they get lost to find the nearest law enforcement officer and tell them their names, parents names, and the designated meeting place of the family.
- Avoid alcohol consumption. It may impair your judgment and limit your ability to care for your children.
- Make sure your children know to stay with you and away from strangers.
- Make sure to remind your children to stay out of the street, particularly during parades when it is very tempting to follow marching bands and the colorful floats.
- Always watch what your children catch, especially toddlers and infants who can choke on small beads and trinkets. A good rule to remember is if the toy will fit in the cardboard cylinder of a roll of toilet paper it is a choking hazard for children.
- A little trick to help keep the little ones happy is to keep a hand full of beads handy where you can get to them so that you are able to drop them into your child’s hands or seat if they are having a hard time catching throws. A small stuffed toy is also a good item to do this with.
- Remind your children to be careful when reaching down to pick up throws. It is a better idea to put a foot on the trinket and pick it up when it is safe. Otherwise, they may get their fingers smashed when someone accidentally steps on their fingers as they reach to pick up throws.
- Avoid putting your child on your shoulders. Crowds move unexpectedly, making it easy for your child or both of you to be knocked over and possibly injured.
- Do not let your children approach horses at the parades unless the rider indicates it is safe.
- Do not allow your children to climb on barricades. During all the excitement crowds sometimes knock over barricades and cause injuries.
Fireworks
New Years Day and Independence Day (Fourth of July) are probably the most famous times of the year for fireworks. Though they are very colorful and exciting to watch, they can also be very dangerous, especially to children. Here are some safety tips to help everyone safely enjoy fireworks.
- Use fireworks outdoors only.
- Obey local laws. If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them.
- Always have water handy.
- Only use fireworks as intended. Don’t try to alter them or combine them.
- Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
- Always use common sense. Spectators should keep a safe distance from the shooter and the shooter should wear glasses.
- Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a “designated shooter.”
- Never leave small children unattended with fireworks.
- Only persons over the age of 12 should be allowed to handle sparklers of any type.
- Do not ever use homemade fireworks of illegal explosives: They can injure or even kill you! Report illegal explosives to your local police or fire departments.
- Never shoot fireworks toward other people. If someone is injured by a firework, seek medical attention immediately.
- If a fire has started from a firework, call 911 or your local fire department immediately.
Halloween
Make Halloween a fun, safe and happy time for your kids and they’ll carry on the tradition that you taught them to their own families some day!
Tips for Kids
- Help your child pick out or make a costume that will be safe. Make it fire proof, the eye holes should be large enough for good peripheral vision.
- If you set jack-o-lanterns on your porch with candles in them, make sure that they are far enough out of the way so that kids costumes won’t accidentally be set on fire.
- Make sure that if your child is carrying a prop, such as a scythe, butcher knife or a pitchfork, that the tips are smooth and flexible enough to not cause injury if fallen on.
- Kids always want to help with pumpkin carving. Small children shouldn’t be allowed to use a sharp knife to cut the top or face. There are many kits that come with tiny saws that work better than knives and are safer, although you can be cut by them as well. It’s best to let the kids clean out the pumpkin and draw a face on it, which you can carve for them.
- Treating your kids to a spooky Halloween dinner will make them less likely to eat the candy they collect before you have a chance to check it for them.
- Teaching your kids basic everyday safety such as not getting into cars or talking to strangers, watching both ways before crossing streets and crossing when the lights tell you to, will help make them safer when they are out Trick or Treating.
Tips for Adults
- Know the route your kids will be taking if you aren’t going with them.
- The best bet it to make sure an adult is going with them. If you can’t take them, see if another parent or a teen aged sibling can go along.
- Make sure you set a time that they should be home by. Make sure they know how important it is to be home on time.
- Know what other activities a child may be attending, such as parties, school or mall functions.
- Explain to children the difference between tricks and vandalism. Throwing eggs at a house may seem like fun but they need to know the other side of the coin as well, clean up and damages can ruin Halloween. If they are caught vandalizing, make them clean up the mess they made.
- Explain to your kids that animal cruelty is not acceptable. Kids may know this on their own but peer pressure can be a bad thing. Make sure they know that harming animals is not only morally wrong but punishable by law and will not be tolerated.
Tips for Trick or Treating
- Children should go out during daylight hours only unless accompanied by a responsible adult.
- Plan a safe route so parents will know where their older kids will be at all times. Set a time for their return home. Make sure that your child is old enough and responsible enough to go out by themselves.
- Let your children know not to cut through back alleys and fields. Make sure they know to stay in populated places and don’t go off the beaten track. Stay in well lighted areas.
- Stop only at familiar houses in your own neighborhood unless, they are accompanied by an adult.
- Small children should never go out alone on Halloween. Make sure an older sibling or adult is with them.
- Instruct your children not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined by you.
- Instruct your child to never go into a home of a stranger or get into their car.
- Make sure your child carries a flashlight, glow stick or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars.
- Let them know they should stay together as a group if going out to Trick or Treat without an adult.
Tips for Parties
- If using dry ice in a punch bowl, make sure that the person serving it keeps any dry ice chips out of drinks! It can cause severe injury if ingested.
- If you are holding a party in your house, make sure that you move any breakable pieces of furniture or knick-knacks to another room where they can’t get broken. A forgotten heirloom vase that hits the floor could ruin the night for you.
- If you are planning a party for your kids and their friends, see if you can get some of the other mothers to help out with the planning, baking and what ever else needs to be done. Make a block party out of it!
- To keep things moving for either an adult party or a child’s party, make sure you have some games, like a scavenger hunt or a murder mystery planned in advance.
- Whip up a batch of Halloween cupcakes the day before, have the kids help you out. Any treats or party foods that can be made in advance will help you out.
- Having a pumpkin carving party on the night before Halloween can be a great way to start off the festivities. Either adults, kids or both, you can have a wonderful time and get all your pumpkins carved at the same time.
- Set up a table with treats, punch and goodies in your front yard if you live in a small neighborhood. Invite the children and their parents to stop by for refreshments, you’ll start a small party right in your front yard. Just make sure you set up a nice yard haunt, too!
Thanksgiving Food Safety
- Purchase only government-inspected meat and poultry products. Check the “sell by” date on all food you buy, and never buy packages if the date has passed.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after preparing any food products.
- Never thaw meat or poultry at room temperature. When thawing a frozen turkey, either keep it refrigerated on a tray, under cold running water, or in the microwave. When thawing in a microwave, finish cooking in a conventional over immediately.
- Keep two cutting boards handy, one for preparing raw meat, poultry, and fish, and the other for cutting cooked for.
- When preparing eggnog, hollandaise sauce, Caesar-salad dressing, or other recipes that call for raw or under cooked eggs, use a pasteurized egg product instead of regular eggs.
Christmas Tree Fire Safety
- Natural Trees Should be cut at a 45 degree angle at the base and placed in water.
- Tree stand should hold at least one gallon of water.
- Check water level every day and refill.
- Place tree away from all heat sources.
- Use only UL approved indoor lights.
- Inspect lights for frayed wire or other defects before use.
- No more than three strands of lights should be linked together.
- Do not leave lights on unattended.
- Do not overload electrical outlets or extension cords.
- When the tree becomes dry, discard it immediately.
Kids/Family
For Teachers
For Residents
Mississippi Insurance Department
www.mid.ms.gov
Mississippi Fire Academy
www.msfa.ms.gov
National Fire Academy (U.S. Fire Administration)
www.usfa.fema.gov
Mississippi State Fire Marshal Office
www.mid.ms.gov/sfm/state-fire-marshal
Mississippi State Rating Bureau
www.msratingbureau.com
Mississippi Fire Personnel Minimum Standards and Certification Board
www.mid.ms.gov/minstand/
Harrison County Emergency Management
www.co.harrison.ms.us/departments/ema
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency MEMA
www.msema.org
Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA
www.fema.gov
Mississippi Office of Homeland Security
www.homelandsecurity.ms.gov
U.S. Homeland Security
www.dhs.gov
Ready.gov (emergency planning)
www.ready.gov
Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition
www.homefiresprinkler.org
Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (emergency planning)
www.flash.org
Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)
www.flash.org
International Code Council
www.iccsafe.org
US Consumer Product Safety Commission (product recalls)
www.cpsc.gov
Safe Kids Worldwide
www.safekids.org
Mississippi Fire Chiefs Association
www.msfirechiefs.org
Mississippi Firefighters Association
www.mffa.com
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
www.firehero.org
MS Burn Camp Foundation
www.msburncamp.org
Muscular Dystrophy Association
www.mda.org
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
www.stjude.org