(Washington, DC) – There are tens of thousands of trash receptacles of all shapes and sizes in the District, providing arsonists with ample opportunity to do harm – and allowing accidental fires to become devastating.  Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of property is lost each year when these fires spread to vehicles and buildings, where they also endanger lives.  Fire Chief Dennis L. Rubin offers the following tips on reducing the risk of such a fire impacting your home or business:

• Reduce the fuel load around a dumpster; don’t leave combustibles around a receptacle.
• Ensure lids are closed and locked all of the time.
• Keep dumpsters well away from buildings – at least six feet in all directions.
• Use security cameras in alleys or anywhere dumpsters are maintained to prevent fire and burglaries.
• Always install and maintain working smoke alarms in your home and business.
• Don’t let receptacles overflow.  When the container is full, call the collection company to empty the container.

For more fire safety information, contact the Office of the Fire Marshal at (202) 727-1600.