STOW – Now that summer’s here in Massachusetts, it’s great to finally be able to spend time outdoors at family barbecues, going to the beach, mowing the lawn, and taking trips.
“Be sure to keep burn prevention and fire safety in mind to ensure these activities are as fun as they should be,” said State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan.
Grilling Safety
Grill fires, burns from flare-ups, and improper use of charcoal lighter fluid increase during barbecue season. Over 70 percent of gas grill fires occur between May and September. Be sure to grill outdoors and keep the grill ten feet from the side of the house. Establish a 3-foot circle of safety around the grill just for the chef to ensure children and pets don’t get hurt. Don’t leave the grill burning unattended and know what to do if the flame goes out on a gas grill (shut off the gas at the tank and wait 15 minutes before relighting).
Smoking and Mulch Safety
Be sure to provide appropriate ash trays or ash cans for smokers so they won’t be tempted to put out butts in the landscape mulch, potted plants, trash bins or directly on the stairs or porch. The number of outside smoking fires has been growing rapidly in Massachusetts the past few years. These fires often grow undetected for some time. Several have been deadly in the past year.
Gasoline Safety
Over half of the victims of gasoline burns in Massachusetts are under the age of 25. While it’s great to have your teenager mow the lawn for you, it’s important to teach them how to handle gasoline safely. Visit www.stopgasfires.org for information on preventing gas fires and to see a compelling video that can help teens and parents talk about gasoline safety.
Fireworks Safety
Enjoy professional, supervised fireworks displays. But remember that the possession and use of any fireworks by private citizens is illegal in Massachusetts. This includes sparklers that can burn at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, party poppers, snappers, firecrackers and cherry bombs.
Prevent Sunburns
Be sure to wear a broad spectrum sunscreen, which protects against both UVA and UVB rays, with an SPF of at least 15 when outdoors in the sun. Use SPF 30 for extended time outdoors. Reapply every 1 ½-2 hours and after swimming. Avoid exposure during the peak hours of 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and wear sunglasses with UV light protection to protect eyes. Sunburns and extended exposure to the sun’s rays in childhood can lead to skin cancer later in life.
Hotel and Motel Safety Tips
Select accommodations that are equipped with sprinklers and smoke alarms in guest rooms. Search the Fire Safe Hotel List on the United States Fire Administration website to see if your hotel is listed: http://apps.usfa.fema.gov/hotel/#searchlist.
Camp Fires
Use the campfire ring or pit provided by the campground where fires are permitted. Build a small fire starting with tinder, kindling and small wood. A tent shape works well. Add small amounts of wood as the fire catches. Keep your fire under control and never leave it burning unattended. Be sure to have a bucket of water handy and to completely extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the campsite. Supervise all children and keep them a safe distance away from the fire. Clear trip hazards away from near the fire pit. Reasonable cooking fires are allowed without a permit in communities that do not have open burning bans.
For more information on fire safety go to www.mass.gov/dfs and type Fire Safety Topics in the search box.
