Ramsey Resident - 2019 - July/August

Home

Cigarettes and Peat Moss - A Dangerous Mix When it comes to ﬁ re prevention, most people don’t realize how much of a risk is posed by outdoor potted plants.  ere has recently been a noticeable increase of incidents of ﬁ res caused by dry peat moss in potting soil. Problems are also related to fertilizers in the soil, which can act as oxidizers that accelerate ﬁ res. Peat Moss Fires • Over the last several years, ﬁ re departments have reported a higher than average number of ﬁ res caused by potting soil catching ﬁ re. •  is new trend of accidental ﬁ res has a root cause- careless disposal of smoking materials. • Today, smoking is only permitted outdoors where there are o en insuﬃ cient ashtrays or receptacles for cigarette butts. Consequently, smokers o en butt out in any available container, such as a patio planter. Eﬀ ects • Home and apartment ﬁ res which begin in planters can burn unnoticed for several hours. Peat smolders rather than bursting into ﬂ ame and can burn down to the base of the container with no more than a thin smoke plume and pun- gent odor. • Any ﬂ ammable materials near the container can help spread the ﬁ re. Decks and other wooden structures present a rich source of fuel. Potting Mixes Unearthed • Potting soil poses such a ﬁ re risk because it contains a high amount of inorganic material that may ignite easily. • Many potting soils on the market today contain less dirt and more organic substances that are ﬂ ammable, such as shredded wood, bark, peat moss, Styrofoam and vermiculite- materials to absorb and retain water and aerate the soil. • With an ignition temperature of 500 degrees Fahrenheit, dry peat moss provides a safe soil conditioner under most conditions. Fire occurs when an outside heat source makes contact with the peat. A discarded cigarette butt gener- ates temperatures in excess of 700 degrees Fahrenheit- smokers should avoid discarding butts in planters. Fire Prevention Tips • Do not use potted plants as an ashtray. • Always keep potted plants well watered. • Do not keep potted plants near combustible materials. • Use clay planter pots whenever possible, as they may keep potting soil ﬁ res better contained. • Remember, ﬁ re safety is your personal responsibility…..Fire Stops with You! For more information on ﬁ re safety, contact City of Ramsey Fire Prevention Bureau, 15050 Armstrong Blvd. NW, Ramsey or call 763-427-4452. 18Ramsey Resident • July/August 2019