Grilling Safety There s nothing like outdoor grilling. It s one of the most popular ways to cook food. But, a grill placed too close to anything that can burn is a fire hazard. They can be very hot, causing burn injuries. Follow these simple tips and you will be on the way to safe grilling. SAFETY TIPS KKK Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors. KKK The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches. KKK Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area. KKK Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill. KKK Never leave your grill unattended. KKK Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it. CHARCOAL GRILLS KKK There are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel. KKK If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire. KKK Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources. KKK There are also electric charcoal starters, which do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use. KKK When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container. Your Source for SAFETY Information NFPA Public Education Division 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169 Propane Grills Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off both the gas tank and the 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. If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill. If the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 5 minutes before re-lighting it. FACTS! July is the peak month for grill fires.! Roughly half of the injuries involving grills are thermal burns. www.nfpa.org/education NFPA 2016
Campfire Safety Sitting under the stars by a crackling fire has its appeal. It s where stories are told, sing-a-longs happen, and meals are cooked over an open flame. Campfires bring family and friends together. But campfire mishaps can cause injuries. With a few safety tips, you can prevent these accidents. SAFETY AROUND THE FIRE KKK Before setting up a campfire, be sure it is permitted. Check with your local fire department. KKK If campfires are permitted, they need to be at least 25 feet away from any structure and anything that can burn. KKK Clear away dry leaves and sticks, overhanging low branches and shrubs. KKK Avoid burning on windy, dry days. It is easier for open burning to spread out of control when it is windy and dry. KKK Watch children while the fire is burning. Never let children or pets play or stand too close to the fire. KKK Attend to the campfire at all times. A campfire left alone for only a few minutes can grow into a damaging fire. KKK Keep a campfire small which is easier to control. KKK Never use gasoline or other flammable or combustible liquids. KKK Always have a hose, bucket of water, or shovel and dirt or sand nearby to put out the fire. Make sure to put it completely out before leaving the site. KKK If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, and roll. Stop, drop to the ground and cover your face with your hands. Roll over and over or back and forth until the fire is out. KKK Treat a burn right away. Cool the burn with cool water for 3 to 5 minutes. Cover with a clean, dry cloth. Get medical help if needed. Your Source for SAFETY Information NFPA Public Education Division 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169 Roast with Care If roasting marshmallows, help young children. Never shake a roasting marshmallow. It can turn into a flying, flaming ball. A heated metal skewer can cause burns. FACT Campfire accidents send thousands of people to emergency rooms with burn injuries every year. www.nfpa.org/education NFPA 2016
Marina & Boating Safety Boats can be a great source of summer fun and leisure. But, boaters, swimmers, and marina staff must be aware of dangers in and around the water. Electrical hazards and carbon monoxide (CO) bring unique risks to the boating world. Learn to protect people and pets from these dangers. ELECTRICAL SAFETY KKK Never allow swimming near the boat, marina, or launching ramp. Residual current could flow into the water from the boat or the marina s wiring. This can put anyone at risk of electrical shock drownings (ESD). KKK Be sure your boat is well maintained. Have it inspected each year. Ask a qualified marine electrician to do this job. KKK Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and equipment leakage circuit interrupters (ELCIs) should be installed and tested monthly. Run tests to find out if electrical current is leaking from the boat. KKK Only use cords intended for marine use. Never use household cords near water. KKK Know where your main breakers are on both the boat and the shore power source. This will help you respond quickly in an emergency. CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY KKK Poorly tuned engines produce more CO. Keep your engine properly maintained. Follow manufacturer s instructions for service. KKK Proper ventilation for engine and generator exhaust vents must be clear and pipes should be inspected for leaks. KKK Get into fresh air right away and get help if you feel symptoms of CO poisoning. These include headache, fatigue, confusion, dizziness, nausea, or seizures. The symptoms can be similar to seasickness. Assume it is CO exposure until you are sure the boat is safe. KKK Do not swim near the boat s exhaust vents. CO accumulates there. KKK Install CO alarms inside your boat. Test CO alarms before each trip. KKK Choose a CO alarm that is listed by a qualified testing laboratory. KKK If the CO alarm sounds, move to a fresh air location right away. Your Source for SAFETY Information NFPA Public Education Division 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169 KNOW THE RISKS! Electrical shock drownings can occur when marina electrical systems leak electrical current into the water. Boats can also serve as the source of an electrical leakage. Leakage can cause a shock that can injure, disable, or kill a person. Carbon Monoxide is a gas you cannot see, taste, or smell. It is often called the invisible killer. CO is created when fuels such as gasoline, diesel, or propane do not burn fully. CO is also produced when wood or charcoal is burned. Sources of CO on your boat may include engines, gas generators, and cooking ranges. Space and water heaters can also be sources of CO. CO can collect anywhere in or around a boat. The gas is harmful to both people and to pets. FACT CO can remain in or around your boat at unsafe levels even if the engine has been turned off. www.nfpa.org/education NFPA 2016
Summer Safety QUIZ NAME: 1. SPF (sun protection factor) is multiplied by 15 (minutes) to determine how long a person can safely be outside with sunscreen protection. a. TRUE b. FALSE 2. Sun Screen Facts all answers are TRUE except for one. Circle the untrue fact. a. 80% of the sun s rays can still pass through clouds on a cloudy day b. 30 minutes is the average time it takes sunscreen to soak in and work effectively c. Sunscreen expires within 2-3 years d. Water-resistant sunscreen will last up to 8 hours 3. When grilling chicken, steak or burgers for a BBQ, what is the minimum internal temperature to meet food safety standards? a. 160-165 degrees b. 140-145 degrees c. It s done when it is not pink anymore 4. Where campfires are permitted, they need to be at least 25 feet away from any structure and anything that can burn. a. TRUE b. FALSE 5. What is the safest way to put out perishable food items for a picnic? a. Food is fine at room temperature for 2-4 hours b. Keep all items in insulated cooler or ice packs; foods cannot remain at room temperature for longer than 1 hour c. Eat the perishable items as soon as possible so it isn t an issue