Your Safety Headquarters: Prevention & Preparedness

Smoke Alarms: They Save Lives!

• Install inside each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level (including basements).
• Mount on ceilings (4″ from wall) or walls (4-12″ from ceiling). Avoid corners.
• Test monthly. Replace batteries every 6 months (or per 10-year unit). Replace entire alarm every 10 years.
• WA law mandates alarms in new construction, rentals, and homes at sale.
• LCFD5 supports local smoke detector programs. Contact us for info.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms

• Required by WA law in most homes. Install outside sleeping areas, near bedrooms, and on each level.
• CO sources: improperly used grills/generators, gas ranges for heating, unvented heaters. Generators 20ft from buildings.
• Test monthly. Replace batteries annually. Replace unit every 5-7 years (or per mfg.).

Home Fire Escape Plans (Have 2 Ways Out!)

• Draw a map, plan 2 ways out of every room. Ensure exits are clear. Designate an outside meeting place.
• Practice drills twice a year (day & night). Consider those needing assistance.

Other Key Home Safety Tips

Candles: Keep away from combustibles. Never leave unattended.

Cooking: Never leave unattended. Keep flammables away. Smother grease fires (NO WATER).

Heating: Space heaters 3ft from combustibles. Ensure ventilation for fuel heaters.

Electrical: Avoid overloading outlets. Inspect cords.

Create Defensible Space

• Immediate Zone (0-5ft): Use non-combustible materials (gravel). Remove flammable vegetation/mulch.
• Intermediate Zone (5-30ft): “Firewise” landscaping. Mowed lawns. Prune trees (remove ladder fuels). Space trees.
• Extended Zone (30-100ft+): Reduce fuel density. Remove dead plants/litter. Thin small conifers.

Harden Your Home

• Install 1/8-inch metal mesh over eaves/vents/under decks.
• Use fire-resistant roofing and siding. Dual-paned windows, intact screens.

Evacuation Preparedness

Plan multiple escape routes. Assemble an emergency kit.

Understand “Ready, Set, Go!” evacuation levels.

Preventing accidental fires from outdoor burning is key. Regulations can be complex.

Allowable: Generally natural vegetation grown on property. NO garbage, lumber, etc.

Residential/land-clearing burning is BANNED in Napavine’s Urban Growth Area (UGA).

Burn barrels are ILLEGAL statewide.

Outside UGAs (unincorporated Lewis Co.): Free permit usually required from Lewis Co. Community Development (360-740-1146) for natural vegetation.

Forest-related burning: DNR is permitting authority.

This link provides the most current burn ban status for your address.

Be ready for various disasters (flooding, earthquakes are significant local threats).

Lewis County Alert

Official emergency notification system. Sign up for critical info on public safety, road closures, flood warnings, evacuations.

Disaster Supply Kits

Assemble a kit: water, non-perishable food, first aid, meds, flashlight, batteries, radio for several days.

Family Emergency Plan

Develop a plan: escape routes, meeting places (nearby & out of neighborhood), out-of-area contact.

County Resources

Lewis County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) is your primary county resource.

For non-emergency safety questions, fire safety inspection requests (if offered), plan reviews, or information about permits LCFD5 may be involved with (e.g., special events, new construction, fire system installations), please contact our main business line during office hours. We are here to help guide you through safety requirements and processes.

Contact: (360) 262-3320 (Mon-Fri, 8 AM – 5 PM)