Hot ash and garbage cans don’t mix! That’s the warning from the Coon Rapids Fire Department.
Hot embers from a recreational fire or fireplace that are improperly disposed can lead to garage or shed fires, and even spread to a home. Homeowners often do not even realize the embers aren’t fully cooled down yet. Cold ashes can hide hot embers within, leading you to think the ashes are completely cooled down when they are not. Embers sometimes smolder for days. If they come in contact with something combustible, you may soon have a fire.
Don’t let fire strike your home; give hot ashes time to cool down and then dispose of them properly. Grocery bags, plastic buckets and plastic garbage cans are NOT a safe place to put ashes. The best way to remove ashes is to put them in a metal container (like a coffee can or aluminum foil) with a lid that seals tightly. Place the container away from walls, paper or other combustibles. Let the ashes sit for at least a week before you dispose of them.
