As the days get nicer, more people are spending time doing outdoor activities including outdoor grilling and recreational burning. The Mankato Department of Public Safety wants to ensure the safest and most positive experiences by providing the following useful tips to help keep you and your family safe.

• Use grill at least 15 feet away from building.
• Supervise children when grills are in use.
• Wear snug-fitting, tightly woven short-sleeved clothing.
• If clothing catches fire: Stop, Drop, and Roll!
• Grilling on decks is prohibited in any apartment with more than two units.

Tips to keep you and your family safe

• Obtain a permit (no charge). Although this is not required, residents will have the peace of mind of knowing their residential burning is approved by Public Safety personnel.
• A responsible adult should be supervising any recreational fires.
• Use clean wood with a maximum wood pile that is 2-ft. high x 3-ft. in diameter.
• Maintain a 25-ft. clearance between the fire and any building, wood pile, dry brush, dry grass, or other flammables.
• If the fire is contained in a ring, fire pit, or other commercial device, the 25-ft. distance may be less depending upon fire or police discretion. (Note: A fire should never be closer than 15 feet to anything flammable.)
• Keep a fire extinguisher, hose, sand, bucket or shovel nearby.

Keep in mind

• Police or fire personnel can order a fire to be extinguished if it is considered to be a hazard or a bother to neighbors.
• Non-recreational burning is allowed with a permit when a county burning ban is not in place. Permittees should notify dispatch before they burn and have a copy of the permit with them. (Note: Permits for brush or refuse burning are rarely issued.)

For more information or to obtain a permit, call Mankato's Fire Marshal at 387-8563.