Homeowner Tips
Heating Season Hazards
Burn Injuries and their Treatment
Causes of Fire
Juvenile Fire Setters
We are currently in the 101 critical days of summer and need to keep safety
foremost in our minds. Complacency is a real threat, it's possible to enjoy
the sizzling-hot summer without getting burned. When the time comes to
haul out the gas grill, or your camping equipment, give some thought to
this advice.it could keep you a lot safer this summer:
Grilling - Keep barbecue grills far away from anything that can burn. Stay with the grill when lighted and keep children and pets well away from the area. When barbecuing, protect yourself by wearing an apron and an oven mitt that fits high up over your forearm. If you get burned, run cool water over the burn for 10 to 15 minutes. ( Tip: Don't use butter or a salve on burns because these seal in heat and can damage the tissue further.) If you receive a serious burn, seek medical attention promptly. Never use a barbecue grill inside the home because, in addition to the fire hazard of indoor grilling, the grill can easily cause carbon monoxide poisoning. If lightning appears while you're grilling, seek shelter and wait for the storm to pass.
For charcoal grills, only use starter fluids designed for barbecue grills (never use gasoline), and only use a limited amount of starter fluid before lighting the fire. Don't add liquid fuel to re-ignite or build up a fire, as dangerous flash fires can result. Soak the coals with water before you discard them and leave the grill away from the house until completely cool. For gas grills, always store the gas cylinder outside - away from structures - and turn off the valves
Grilling - Keep barbecue grills far away from anything that can burn. Stay with the grill when lighted and keep children and pets well away from the area. When barbecuing, protect yourself by wearing an apron and an oven mitt that fits high up over your forearm. If you get burned, run cool water over the burn for 10 to 15 minutes. ( Tip: Don't use butter or a salve on burns because these seal in heat and can damage the tissue further.) If you receive a serious burn, seek medical attention promptly. Never use a barbecue grill inside the home because, in addition to the fire hazard of indoor grilling, the grill can easily cause carbon monoxide poisoning. If lightning appears while you're grilling, seek shelter and wait for the storm to pass.
For charcoal grills, only use starter fluids designed for barbecue grills (never use gasoline), and only use a limited amount of starter fluid before lighting the fire. Don't add liquid fuel to re-ignite or build up a fire, as dangerous flash fires can result. Soak the coals with water before you discard them and leave the grill away from the house until completely cool. For gas grills, always store the gas cylinder outside - away from structures - and turn off the valves
when not in use. Follow manufacturer's instructions and if needed, have it repaired by a trained professional.
Camping - Pitch your tent well away from your campfire. Only use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns inside the tent or any other closed space, as opposed to liquid-fueled heaters or lanterns. In addition to the fire hazard posed by liquid-fueled devices, carbon monoxide poisoning can easily result in unvented spaces. Build your campfire downwind, away from your tent, clearing away all dry vegetation and digging a pit surrounded by rocks. Look for signs that warn of potential fire hazards in national forests and campgrounds, and always obey park service regulations. Pour water over or cover the fire with dirt before going to sleep or leaving the campsite. Store liquid fire starter -- NEVER use gasoline -- away from your tent and campfire and use only dry kindling to freshen a campfire.
By following these quick and simple steps, we can all keep summer activities fun and fire safe. For further information on summer fire safety or other fire safety topics, please contact your local Fire Department.