Keeping you safe: Black Hills Energy spotlights safety tips during Fire Prevention Week
RAPID CITY, SD – Oct. 4, 2024 – During Fire Prevention Week Oct. 6-12, Black Hills Energy is sharing three things to know about fire safety inside and outside the home.
- Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors near every sleeping area in your home.
- Test alarms on a monthly basis to make sure they are working properly. Early detection saves lives.
- Create a defensible space around your home or property to reduce fire risk from materials that could become flammable, such as leaves, pine needles and other debris from decks, roofs and gutters.
“This is the perfect time of year to make sure your home and surrounding areas are fire safe,” said Wes Ashton, VP of South Dakota and Wyoming Utilities. “This is especially important when it comes to wildfire prevention.”
To mitigate the risk of wildfire, Black Hills Energy conducts routine inspections of power lines by air and on foot, addresses vegetation and hazardous trees in power line corridors and maintains and upgrades electric infrastructure for safety and reliability.
“At Black Hills Energy, we work continuously to strengthen and enhance the resiliency of our electric system and critical infrastructure,” said Ashton. “This helps reduce wildfire risk while protecting the grid against severe weather impacts, so our customers have the safe and reliable power they need and expect.”
Learn how Black Hills Energy is working to mitigate wildfire risk. Wildfire Mitigation Plan