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Store
summer barbeques and lawnmowers safely. |
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Store
gasoline safely and use only as indicated. |
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Clean
chimneys and fireplaces for winter use. |
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Have
furnace cleaned and prepared for winter use. |
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Practice
burn prevention on Halloween. Use flashlights instead of candles.
Use flameproof or flame retardant costumes. |
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Change
the batteries in your smoke detectors. |
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If
your car has trouble starting, do not place gasoline in carburetor
to try and start. Serious burn injuries result from flash
flames. |
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In
cool weather use caution as you drink more hot liquids and
food to prevent scald injuries. |
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Complete
a home fire and burn safety check. |
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Follow
manufactory instructions when using space heaters and wood
burners. |
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Check
kitchen areas for hazards- stoves, ovens and grease build
up. |
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Be
aware of hot liquids. Scald injuries are the number one cause
of burn injuries. |
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Practice
fire drills. Know two ways out of your home. |
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Check
all of the exits from your home. Make sure they are not blocked
and that hallways are clear. |
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Follow
Holiday Safety tips. Prevent fires from electrical lighting,
Christmas trees, candles. |
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Carbon
Monoxide Poisoning: |
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In
its pure state, it is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas.
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When
inhaled it combines with the body's blood and prevents it
from absorbing oxygen. |
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The
organs at greatest risk with Carbon Monoxide Poisoning are
those with the greatest oxygen supply. The heart and the brain.
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Carbon
Monoxide is created by the incomplete combustion of any fossil
fuel. Such as automobile exhaust, improperly installed or
malfunctioning fossil fuel-burning appliances (such as space
heaters, furnaces, fireplaces). |
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Common
causes of carbon monoxide poisoning include the following: |
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Poor
ventilation in an area where fossil fuel- burning appliances
are being used. |
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Clogged
or blocked chimneys, rusted flues or vents. |
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Using
fossil fuel burning appliances in an enclosed space. These
appliances need fresh air to properly circulate the air. |
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Symptoms
of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: |
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Similar
to the flu- headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea and vomiting. |
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Can
cause unconsciousness or death at High Concentrations. |
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If
you think Carbon Monoxide Poisoning is present, act fast and
do the following: |
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Get
out of the house. |
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Get
fresh air into the home by opening the windows. |
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Call
911 /Seek medical attention. |
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Find
the source of carbon monoxide and get it fixed. |
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Take
precautions to prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: |
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Have
your heating system inspected annually. |
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Call
an authorized dealer to repair appliances. |
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Utilize
a Carbon Monoxide Detector certified by Underwriters Laboratories'
standard 2034 and installed according to manufacturers' instructions
to help alert you to a problem. |
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Spring
clean for fire safety in the home. |
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Clear
the garage of papers and flammable products. |
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Store
flammable liquids properly. |
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Maintain
gasoline in safe containers and use safely. Teach children
that gasoline is dangerous and is only used for running motors. |
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Teach
children burn safety while working and playing outside. |
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Wear
suntan lotion or sun block to prevent sunburn. |
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Drink
plenty of fluids while working or playing in the sun. |
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Do
not open a hot radiator on your car. Let it cool down before
you add more coolant or open the cap. |
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Watch
for fire hazards around dry brush or grass. |
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Attend
a professional fireworks display. |
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Outdoor
Grilling and Barbecuing: |
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Clean
barbecues of grease build-up. |
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Check
to make sure all tubes and hoses are intact before using a
gas grill. |
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Propane
gas grills should be checked according to manufacturing guidelines.
If a propane leak is present, do not use and take immediate
action to prevent fire. |
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Gas
grills should not be used indoors or under covered areas such
as porches, breezeways, garages or carports. |
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Never
use gasoline to start or spark a fire. |
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Learn
the proper way to start a charcoal fire. |
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Soak
the coals with charcoal starter fluid. |
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Wait
3-5 minutes before lighting coals. |
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Charcoal
lighting fluid is never added to burning coals. The fire can
follow the fluid/fumes to the can and cause a fire flashback
or explode. Instead, fan the coals. |
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Safely
dispose of hot coals. Do not leave hot coals unattended on
a beach. A child could walk on the coals and get burned. |
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Build
fires within a safe area. Encircle fire area with non-flammable
objects, such as large stones, to contain the fire. |
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Never
leave children unattended near a campfire. |
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Put
out the campfire before leaving the area, using only non-flammable
materials, such as water, dirt or sand. |
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Never
leave a candle unattended. |
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Keep
candles out of reach of children and pets. |
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Never
burn a candle near anything that can catch fire. |
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Keep
burning candles within eye sight. |
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Burn
candles in secure fireproof containers. |
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Do
not burn candles in draft near curtains, blankets or other
flammable items. The flame can ignite the items as the draft
blows the items into the flames. |
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Trim
wick to ¼ inch before lighting. Long wicks cause flames to
be larger than needed to burn the candle. Flame height should
not exceed 1 inch. |
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Keep
flammable items out of melted wax pool. As the candle burns
down the flammable items may be at risk of catching fire. |
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Do
not move candle if wax is still liquid. It may be hot enough
to cause a burn. |
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Candles
should not be burned near wreaths or Christmas trees. |
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Holiday
Lights (Electrical):
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Buy
electrical equipment and appliances approved by Underwriters
Laboratories, Inc.. Look for the UL label. |
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Check
electrical plugs for dirt, fraying, defects in wiring, sockets
and plugs. |
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Do
not overload electrical outlets. |
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Unplug
all lights when leaving home for any length of time. |
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Do
not place extension cords under rugs or through screens. Make
sure they are the right size and kept in the open. Walking
over and on cords can damage them leading to overheating,
shock and fire. |
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Don't
let pets chew on cords. |
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Outdoor
lighting requires waterproof equipment. Wrap extension cord
connections with electrical tape or heavy-duty plastic. Aluminum
foil should never be used. |
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Live
trees: |
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Select
a fresh tree. |
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Set
tree in a base that will hold water to keep it watered during
the holiday season. |
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Live
trees need to be kept watered. Dry trees can catch fire quickly. |
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Artificial
trees: |
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Make
sure they are fire retardant. |
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Metal
Trees: |
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Do
not attach electric lights to a metal tree. Use battery operated
lights, flood lights or other decorations. |
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Check
all electric cords for safety before placing on trees. |
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Underwriters
Laboratories should approve all electric lights. A tag with
the letters UL indicates that the cords and appliances meet
laboratories standards. |
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Do
not use extension cords lighter than the appliance cord. Cords
could overheat. |
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Never
use candles on a tree or near decorative wreaths. |
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Do
not place your tree near warm air register or fireplace. |
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Inspect
lights on tree frequently for browning or drying. Change position
of lights and make sure connections are secure. |
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Turn
off all holiday lighting when away from home. |
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Remove
paper wrapping from around tree. Keep combustible materials
from around the tree. |
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Do
not overload the electrical system. Disconnect other electrical
equipment when the tree lights are on. |
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Fireworks:
Fireworks can be enjoyable if handled
safely and by professionals. Just because fireworks may
be legal in your state does not mean they are safe. See
web site: The National Council on Fireworks Safety for safety
guidelines and your state laws.
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Go
to a professional display. |
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Fireworks
are not toys. |
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Never
carry fireworks in your pocket. |
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Always
read and follow label directions. |
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Light
one firework at a time. |
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Fireworks
are only used outdoors. |
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Fireworks
that are illegal or homemade should not be used. |
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Legal
fireworks must be used carefully and instructions followed. |
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Fireworks
should be used on a flat, smooth surface away from people. |
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Fireworks
should not be used near trees or on dry grass or underbrush. |
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If
fireworks fail to light the first time DO NOT try to light
again. They could explode in your hands. |
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Point
fireworks away from people. Fireworks can be unpredictable
and go in different directions then expected. |
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Children
should not handle fireworks. |
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An
adult should supervise children using sparklers at all times. |
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Water
should be kept near by in case of fire. |
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Fireworks
should not be held after lighting. |
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©2000-2001 burntalk. All rights reserved.
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