Celebrate Summer Safely

7/7/2019 (Permalink)

Each year, families and friends across the country enjoy summer months with barbecues, camping trips, or by cooling off in a pool or lake. In order to enjoy these occasions, it is important to keep safety top of mind to ensure you have fun in the sun. According to a recent study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, nearly 5000 Americans are injured by charcoal/wood-burning and propane grill fires.

The following tips, provided by the National Fire Protection Association, will help keep you safe all summer long:

1. When using a charcoal grill, only use starter fluids designed for barbeque grills; do not add fluid after coals have been lit.
2. When using a gas grill, ensure the hose connection is tight: check hoses for leaks.  Applying soapy water to the hoses will easily and safely reveal any leaks.
3. Be sure to extinguish all smoking materials and shut down any motors and heating devices before fueling a boat.  In case of a spill, wipe up fuel and check for fuel leakage and odors.
4. When camping, always use a flame retardant tent and set up camp far awat from the campfire. Always extinguish the fire before going to sleep or leaving the campsite. To extinguish, cover with dirt and pour water over the fire.
5. Store liquid fire starter (not gasoline) away from your tent and campfire and only use dry kindling to freshen a campfire.

The summer season should be a time to make memories and enjoy the great outdoors but please keep safety in mind.