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Our weekly news column bringing the most current, non-biased health
information to the consumer. |
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August 19, 2008 |
A Publication of QVHD |
Backyard Campfires
By: V. Deborah Culligan, RN, MPH,
Deputy Director QVHD
Many families like to sit
around on a summer or fall evening making s'mores over their backyard
“campfire.” Chimineas and fire pits have become commonplace patio items.
As enjoyable as they are, they may become a nuisance to your neighbor,
especially for those with breathing and heart problems. Any kind of wood
smoke consists of small airborne particles (particulate matter or PM)
that can become lodged in your lungs, making breathing difficult.
Open burning in the form of backyard campfires, like chimineas and fire
pits, is legal, according to information from the CT Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) Air Bureau. No permit is needed for
backyard campfires if non-processed and untreated wood (typical
firewood) are burned in them. ( The burning of leaves and garbage is
never allowed, even with a permit.) However, even though backyard
campfires are legal and do not require a permit, they are subject to
public nuisance laws under CT State Statutes, should a neighbor choose
to complain. If that occurs, the police can come to your home and ask
you to put out your campfire. Note that a town can create ordinances
that are stricter than state law, so watch your newspapers for any
changes that might occur.
Therefore, you should do your best to burn properly so as not to create
a public nuisance. The following may be helpful in order to decrease
smoke released from these fires:
- Use only dry, properly cured and non-treated wood. Never burn
garbage, including plastic, foil, paper, or newspaper. That is
illegal!
- Use small diameter sticks. These tend to generate less smoke.
- Do not burn when air pollution levels are high. Air Quality
Indexes are often given on the television, radio and in newspapers.
You can also check on line at the CT DEP's Air Quality Index,
http://dep.state.ct.us/airmonitoring/aqi.asp.
- Keep your campfire as far away from neighboring property lines
as you can.
- You may wish to talk to your neighbors about having backyard
campfires.
If you are not sensitive to smoke and do not have any breathing
problems, you may not understand why your neighbor would complain about
your backyard campfire. But what may bring you great pleasure may bring
harm to another person. Trying to be a good neighbor may keep things
from escalating to the public nuisance level, which can bring a police
officer to your door.
If you are the neighbor bothered by a backyard campfire, you might first
start by talking to your neighbor. Perhaps a solution can be worked out.
However, if you desire, you have the right to call the police to get it
stopped.
Please note: this column addresses backyard campfires. It does not
address outdoor wood burning furnaces. They will be discussed in a
future column. For more information District residents can call QVHD,
248-4528 or request on line at
www.qvhd.org.
| An Ounce of Prevention is a
publication of the Quinnipiack Valley Health District, located at
1151 Hartford Turnpike, North Haven, CT 06473. Telephone:
248-4528. An Ounce of Prevention is
written by V. Deborah Culligan. The articles are published in the following local newspapers, The Advisor &
Beth-Wood News.
The content is provided as health education and
information to help you make health decisions. It is not intended to
be legal or medical advice, or substitute for recommendations made
by your health care provider. Address all comments to the district
office. |
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