Important: The safety information on this page is provided as general guidance. In any emergency, call 911 immediately.
Smoke Alarms
Working smoke alarms are your first line of defense in a fire. They provide the early warning that can mean the difference between safely evacuating and being trapped.
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside each bedroom, and outside each sleeping area
- Test smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button
- Replace batteries at least once per year. A good reminder is when you change your clocks
- Replace the entire smoke alarm unit every 10 years, or as recommended by the manufacturer
- Never disable a smoke alarm, even temporarily during cooking. Use the hush button or improve ventilation instead
- Interconnected smoke alarms (where one sounds and they all sound) provide the best protection
Carbon Monoxide Safety
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless gas that can be lethal. It is produced by fuel-burning appliances including furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, generators, and vehicles.
- Install CO detectors on every level of your home and near sleeping areas
- Have fuel-burning appliances inspected annually by a qualified technician
- Never run a generator, grill, or vehicle inside your home, garage, or any enclosed space
- If your CO detector sounds, evacuate immediately and call 911 from outside
- Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, nausea, and confusion. If you suspect exposure, get to fresh air immediately
Space Heater Safety
Space heaters are a leading cause of home heating fires. If you use a portable heater, follow these precautions to reduce your risk.
- Maintain at least 3 feet of clearance between the heater and anything that can burn, including furniture, curtains, bedding, and clothing
- Place heaters on a flat, hard, non-flammable surface. Never on carpet, rugs, or near bedding
- Plug heaters directly into wall outlets. Never use extension cords or power strips
- Turn off space heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep
- Choose a heater with an automatic shut-off feature in case it tips over
- Keep children and pets away from space heaters
Burn Permits
Open burning within the Village of Hobart is regulated to protect public safety and air quality. The following guidelines apply to residential open burning.
- Recreational fires (campfires, fire pits) are permitted without a burn permit provided they are kept to a reasonable size and are attended at all times
- Burning of yard waste (leaves, brush, small limbs) requires notification to the fire department prior to burning
- Burning is prohibited on days when wind speeds exceed 15 mph or during air quality advisories
- No burning of trash, construction materials, plastics, rubber, or treated wood is permitted at any time
- All fires must be fully extinguished before being left unattended
- Keep a garden hose or other water source readily accessible when conducting any open burn
Severe Weather Preparedness
Hobart and the surrounding area are subject to severe weather including thunderstorms, tornadoes, flooding, and winter storms. Preparation is essential.
Thunderstorms and Tornadoes
- Identify a safe room in your home, an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows
- Monitor weather alerts through NOAA Weather Radio or a reliable weather app
- Know the difference: a watch means conditions are favorable; a warning means a storm has been detected or is imminent
- If a tornado warning is issued, move to your safe room immediately
Winter Weather
- Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle with blankets, water, a flashlight, and basic supplies
- Ensure your home heating system is maintained and functioning before cold weather arrives
- Keep pipes from freezing by allowing faucets to drip during extreme cold and insulating exposed plumbing
- Clear snow away from furnace vents and dryer vents to prevent carbon monoxide buildup
Flooding
- Never drive through standing water. Turn around, don't drown
- If you live in a flood-prone area, know your evacuation route
- Move important documents and valuables to upper floors if flooding is expected
Holiday and Seasonal Safety
- Christmas trees: Water live trees daily. Dispose of trees promptly after the holiday. Dried-out trees are extremely flammable
- Cooking: Never leave cooking unattended. Keep flammable items away from the stovetop. Have a lid nearby to smother grease fires. Never use water on a grease fire
- Candles: Use sturdy holders on stable surfaces. Keep candles away from curtains and decorations. Extinguish all candles before leaving a room or going to sleep
- Fireworks: Follow all local and state regulations regarding fireworks. Keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby. Never re-light fireworks that did not fully ignite