When people consider precautions needed to prevent accidental fires, many automatically think of indoor fire safety.  However, outdoor safety can be equally important.

If you are burning outdoors, make sure wind velocity is less than 10 miles per hour.  Keep firewood and flammable liquids at least 30 feet from a house.  Never leave a fire unattended, never leave a grill unattended, and use grill according to manufacturers’ instructions. Also it’s important to have a water source available while burning to keep an outdoor fire under control.

What may surprise people is that while outdoor fires are common in rural areas, Tennessee law prohibits some items from being burned, including:

•    Tires and other rubber products
•    Vinyl siding and vinyl shingles
•    Plastics and other synthetic materials
•    Paper products, cardboard and newspaper
•    Asphalt shingles and other asphalt roofing materials and demolition debris
•    Asbestos-containing materials
•    Paints, household and agricultural chemicals
•    Aerosol cans and food cans
•    Building materials and construction debris
•    Buildings and mobile homes
•    Copper wire and electrical wires
•    Household trash
•    Leaves, branches and trees not grown on site

Violations of burn laws could lead to fines up to $25,000 according to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

If you are burning in La Vergne, a burn permit is required year-round.  The permit lists city rules and regulations and is available at the police department Monday through Friday and LaVergne Fire Department Station 1 (on Stones River Rd.) on weekends.  The permit is free.