Recently, our department was paged to a grass fire at one of our local churches.  It was determined the fire was caused by a burning stump that the church workers thought was out from the day before.  This is one of the most dangerous ways to dispose of a stump.  When someone lights the stump, they are also lighting the roots connected to that stump.

I have personally seen a fire rekindle after five days from the roots burning underground.  What happens is the root system smolders until it is able to reach the surface and get some air.  When this happens, the rekindle occurs and it can move very quickly.

So, if you must burn you stumps, cut away the roots from the stump before burning.  This will help prevent the roots from igniting and causing problems days later. Better yet, use a grinder to get rid of the stump.

Your Humble Webmonkey

Why yes it is getting hotter and the Texas sun can certainly take alot of you.  To keep yourself from getting into trouble with the heat this summer, you need to remember a few things:

• Always stay hydrated. You can't get enogh fluids in once you get too many out.  What this means is days before outside work you should increase your water intake.
• Drink lots of water while you are sweating.  It won't immediately replace what you are losing but it will help keep you body cooler.
• Don't over do it.  You know how much you can handle and your body will give you hints if you are pushing too hard.  Listen to your body.
• Gatorade is not the best thing when you are hot.  Studies have shown that electrolyte levels actually drop in the body during a heavy workout if a person consumes a sports drink while working out.  Water is the best thing and always has been.  The sports drinks are ok before the workout or after the cool down, however.
• If you are fighting a grass or wildland fire this summer remember it is hot in that suit and keep at least 2 bottles of water with you.  Not only can drinking one help you out, pouring some cool water over your head can help lower your temperature.
• Don't drink water that is too cold.  This can upset your stomach and kick in your heating system which could counteract the cooling effect of the water.

Have a safe and fun summer and keep safe on the fire ground!

Your Humble Webmonkey

Remember when you were a kid and your parents would tell you to have fun but be careful?  Well, there is no better time to say this than the July 4th holiday. 

You may ask how can I have but still be careful while playing with fireworks?  Well, you could go to a show and let the pros shoot them off but that is no fun right?  Wrong.  Some of the best times I have personally had on the 4th were at shows where I didn't have to worry about shooting off the fireworks or lighting myself on fire.

Westside and Lake Palestine United Methodist Church are doing a show this 4th that will be fun and safe.  Come on out to the lake and celebrate our independence with us.

If you must play with your own munitions, please remember the following:

1.  Don't let kids light or get too close to the fireworks.

2.  Always have at least a 5 gallon bucket of water available just in case.

3.  If a firework misfires or is a dud, soak it in water for at least 5 minutes before trying to move it or dispose of it.

4.  Never, and never means never, shoot a firework at a person, car, tree, house, or anything else than the moon.

5.  Alcohol and fireworks don't mix.  Enough said.

And then there is this from www.fireworksafety.com

USE FIREWORKS OUTDOORS ONLY.

OBEY LOCAL LAWS.  IF FIREWORKS ARE NOT LEGAL WHERE YOU LIVE, DO NOT USE THEM!

ALWAYS HAVE WATER HANDY (A HOSE OR BUCKETS OF WATER)

ONLY USE FIREWORKS AS INTENDED.  DON’T TRY TO ALTER THEM OR COMBINE THEM.

NEVER RE-LIGHT A “DUD” FIREWORK (WAIT 20 MINUTES AND THEN SOAK IT IN A BUCKET OF WATER)

USE COMMON SENSE WHEN USING FIREWORKS.   SPECTATORS SHOULD KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE FROM THE SHOOTER.  AND THE SHOOTER SHOULD WEAR SAFETY GLASSES.

ALCOHOL AND FIREWORKS DO NOT MIX.  HAVE A “DESIGNATED “SHOOTER

ONLY PERSON OVER AGE 12 SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO HANDLE SPARKLERS OF ANY TYPE.

DO NOT EVER USE HOMEMADE FIREWORKS OR ILLEGAL EXPLOSIVES; THEY CAN KILL YOU! REPORT ILLEGAL EXPLOSIVES TO THE FIRE OR POLICE DEPARTMENT IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

But, have fun and be safe.  See, you can do it if you think about it a little.

Your humble webmonkey