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Basic Life Skills
Other sections include low cost
non-toxic cleaners as well as our low cost
recipes of the month. We hope to add additional sections in the future.
Summertime is almost here. We are thinking about BBQ’s and get
together’s at home more because of the higher gas prices. But the price is far
to high to pay if you use your BBQ incorrectly.
Here is some BBQ and summertime safety information to help keep you and your
kids safe.
Grilling Safety
Each year, nearly 600 explosions and fires occur nationally with gas grills.
Additionally, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that
every year about 20 deaths and 400 injuries are the result of carbon monoxide
poisoning from charcoal grills. Clark County Fire & Rescue encourages you to use
the following safety tips to keep your next outdoor cookout safe.
Safety Tips
Before Barbequing
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Check your grill thoroughly for leaks, cracking or
brittleness before using it.
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Clean out the tubes that lead into the burner.
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Make sure the grill is at least 10 feet away from your
house, garage, or trees.
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Store and use your grill on a large flat surface that cannot
burn (i.e. concrete or asphalt).
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Do not use grills in a garage, porch, deck or on top of
anything that can catch on fire.
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Keep children away from fires and grills. It is a good idea
to establish a safety zone around the grill and instruct children to remain
outside the zone. A chalk line works great for this purpose.
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Have a fire extinguisher, a garden hose attached to a water
supply, or at least 16-quarts of water close by in case of a fire.
During Barbequing
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Do not wear loose clothing that might catch fire.
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Use long handled barbecue tools and/or flame resistant
mitts.
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Never use any flammable liquid other than barbecue starter
fluid to start or freshen a fire.
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Never pour or squirt starter fluid onto an open flame. The
flames can easily flashback along the fluid's path to the container in your
hands.
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Keep alcoholic beverages away from the grill, they are
flammable!
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Never leave the grill unattended.
After Barbequing
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Always follow the manufacturer's cleaning and storing
instructions.
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Keep your grill clean and free of grease buildup that may
lead to a fire.
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Never store liquid or pressurized fuels inside your home or
near any possible sources of flame.
Charcoal Grill Safety Tips
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Due to the production of carbon monoxide when charcoal is
burned, charcoal grills should not be used inside homes, vehicles, tents, or
campers, even if ventilation is provided. Carbon monoxide is odorless and
colorless; you will not be alerted to the danger until it is too late.
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Never use any flammable liquid other than barbecue starter
fluid to start a charcoal barbecue.
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Use the starter fluid sparingly and never put it on an open
flame.
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Never add fire starter after you have started your barbecue
to speed a slow fire or rekindle a dying fire. The flames can easily
flashback along the fluid's path to the container in your hands.
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Remove the charcoal ashes from the grill and place them into
a metal container with a tight-fitting metal lid. Add and mix in water with
the ashes, and set aside for several days.
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Remove the ashes only after they are completely cooled and
no warm embers remain.
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Always soak coals with water after cooking; they retain
their heat for long periods of time.
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Keep damp or wet coals in a well-ventilated area. During the
drying process, spontaneous combustion can occur in confined areas.
Kids and Fire: A Bad Match
Children are one of the highest risk groups for deaths in residential fires. At
home, children usually play with fire - lighters, matches and other ignitables -
in bedrooms, in closets, and under beds. These are "secret" places where there
are a lot of things that catch fire easily.
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Children of all ages set over 35,000 fires annually.
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Every year over 400 children nine years and younger die in
home fires.
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Keep matches and lighters locked up and away from children.
Check under beds and in closets for burnt matches, evidence your child may
be playing with matches.
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Teach your child that fire is a tool, not a toy.
If you have any questions regarding fire prevention and/or life
safety topics contact Clark County Fire & Rescue at 360-887-4609 or visit our
website at www.clarkfr.org.
Special thanks to the New York City Fire
Department
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