The summer season is in full swing and with it comes grilling, campfires and fireworks. Whether you’re in your backyard, at a friend’s house, or at a campsite, be sure to follow your local fire safety guidelines.
Cooking and Grilling
If you’re cooking inside your kitchen or outside on your grill, it’s important to be vigilant and to always cook safely.
- Never leave anything that is cooking unattended. If you need to leave for any reason, always turn off the heat.
- Use appropriate heating source. Use propane for a gas grill, charcoal briquettes for a charcoal grill, and wood logs for cooking over a firepit. Do not use fire starter logs or mix and match heat sources.
- Be alert. Never cook or grill when exhausted, intoxicated or distracted.
Campfires
A cozy campfire is iconic to summer adventures. Maintain fun by keeping flames contained to prevent them from spreading.
- Check conditions. Always check weather, wind, and fire conditions before lighting any fire. Note: Local ordinances may also require a permit.
- Supervise children and pets. Do not leave them unattended near a campfire for any reason—ever.
- Properly extinguish a campfire.Never leave the fire site without extinguishing flames first. Have a fire extinguisher, shovel with sand/dirt, and plenty of water nearby.
- Drown your flames with water and stir with a shovel to make sure all materials and embers are wet.
- Add more water if needed and stir again.
- Repeat until everything in fire pit is wet and cold to the touch.
- Pour sand/dirt over fire if flames get out of control.
Fireworks and Sparklers
Fireworks and sparklers are quintessential summer fun, but they are hazardous. When not properly managed, fireworks and their debris can cause sparks which can result in an unwanted fire or injury.
When it comes to fireworks:
- Be cautious: they can cause burns, injuries and/or fires
- Do not attempt to make your own
- Leave them to the professionals
To keep things festive, watch a fireworks display from a distance and consider alternatives like glow sticks, ribbon dancers, confetti poppers or colorful streamers.
Be alert and responsible every time you cook in your kitchen, grill over an open flame, or build a campfire. Share this information with your children and always lead by example. In doing so, you’re giving them the tools to be responsible around fires in the future.