Prepare for severe weather: Tips from Kennett Fire Chief for staying safe this week

Learn before you burn.

Those are wise words from the Kennett Fire Dept. Chief Lance Davis, who is a vocal proponent of fire safety.

And Monday, March 3, kicks off Severe Weather Preparedness Week, Davis told the Delta Dunklin Democrat.

"We continue to monitor severe weather," Davis said. "And the community can join us Monday on Having a Plan to Receive Weather Information Day," Davis said.

"Everyone should have more than one way to watch the weather," he added. "Just in case communications are disrupted during bad weather."

Tuesday is Lightning Safety Day, Davis said.

But the most important of Severe Weather Preparedness Week might be Wednesday's Tornado Safety Day, Davis noted.

"We will participate in Missouri's statewide Tornado Safety Day," the chief said. "We usually test the tornado siren at noon on the first Wednesday of the month.

"This Wednesday, we'll join the rest of the state's emergency services and first responders and test the siren at 11 a.m.," he continued. "We urge our community members to be aware of the weather patterns associated with tornados and have a safety plan in place to protect themselves and their loved ones."

Thursday is Hail and Wind Safety Day, and Friday is Flood Safety Day, the chief said.

Stormaware.mo.gov is loaded with pertinent information, Davis said.

The chief noted wind advisories are in effect for Tuesday and reminded the community that burning is a chore that requires supervision.

"Make sure you have contacted your fire department for permission to burn," Davis said. "Winds must be below seven miles per hour.

"If you're allowed to burn, someone must be with the burn at all times," the chief continued. "Someone must be there with a water hose handy, and the burn must be extinguished before sunset."

The chief noted the department responded to a number of grass fire calls outside of the Kennett city limits in recent days.