Fire Department Offers Summer Safety Tips

The first day of summer is coming up fast — June 20, to be exact — and with the arrival of the warm weather, the is urging residents to be safe while cooking out on the grill.

Citing an estimated 5,700 grill-related fires each year across the U.S., the fire department offers these tips for safe grilling:

• Propane and charcoal grills must only be used outdoors. If used indoors or in enclosed spaces like tents, they post both a fire hazard and a risk of exposing occupants to toxic gases and potential asphyxiation.
• Position the grill well away from siding, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area by declaring a three-foot “kid-free zone” around the grill.

Special tips for propane grills

Fire officials urge anyone using a propane grill to check the gas cylinder hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. A light soap and water solution applied to the hose will reveal escaping propane by releasing bubbles.

If you determine your grill has a gas leak and there is no flame:

• Turn off the gas tank and grill
• If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again.
• If the leak does not stop, call the fire department.

Sparklers: Too hot to handle?

The fire department also urges parents to think twice about letting their children use sparklers.

The firework burns at temperatures up to 1,800 degrees — more than hot enough to melt aluminum or glass.

For more information and safety tips visit www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/focus or www.ifsa.org.