GRILLING

Beware when you barbecue. According to N.F.P.A, in 1998 alone, there were 6,100 reported home fires involving gas or charcoal grills in the U.S., leading to $29.1 million in direct property damage. 

• When using barbecue grills on decks or patios, be sure to leave sufficient space from siding and eaves.
• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
• Keep children and pets far away from grills.
• With charcoal grills, only use charcoal starter fluids designed for barbecue grills and do not add fluid after coals have been lit.
• With gas grills, be sure that the hose connection is tight and check hoses carefully for leaks. Applying soapy water to the hoses will easily and safely reveal any leaks.
• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and have the grill repaired by a professional, if necessary.
   

PROPANE

• Handle any propane-powered equipment cautiously and always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Cylinder tanks for equipment such as stoves and ovens must be located outside of the home.
• Never store or use propane gas cylinders larger than one pound inside the home.
• Never operate a propane-powered gas grill inside the home.
• Have propane gas equipment inspected periodically by a professional for possible leaks or malfunctioning parts.
• Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions when lighting a pilot.
• If you smell a strong odor of gas, leave the area immediately and call the fire department from outside the home.
• For more information visit, the Propane Education and Research Council Web site.
   

FIREWORKS 

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fireworks lead to thousands of injuries requiring emergency room treatment. These dazzling, but dangerous devices can burn up to 1200° F and can cause burns, lacerations, amputations and blindness.

Manufacturers’ participation in Federal safety regulations, combined with increased consumer awareness is making the Fourth of July Holiday safer than ever. However, explosive devices like M-80s and M-100s continue to be a problem. Though banned since 1966, these illegal explosives still account for one-third of all Fourth of July injuries.

Illegal fireworks continue to be a serious problem. On a typical 4th of July, fireworks cause more fires in the U.S. than all other causes combined. But because most people encounter the risk of fireworks only once a year, many Americans do not realize how great that risk is.

You really must leave fireworks to the professionals.  Their shows are spectacular and safe.  Amateur displays are unacceptably dangerous, especially to children, whose injury rates are several times those of adults.

• Stay back at least 500 feet from professional fireworks displays.
• Treat all fireworks, whether legal or illegal for consumers, as suitable only for use by trained professionals.
• If you find fireworks, do not touch them but instead direct authorities to them.
• Leave any area where amateurs are using fireworks.

The 1997 Dallas Fire Code, Section 78 prohibits the use, storage or handling of fireworks within the City of Dallas, except for professional, approved displays.  Violators of this article will be guilty of a class C misdemeanor and fined up to $2000.00.

CAMPING

• Always use a flame retardant tent and set up camp far away from the campfire.
• Only use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns inside the tent or any other closed space, not liquid-filled heaters or lanterns.
• Always build your campfire down wind away from your tent. Clear all vegetation and dig a pit surrounded by rocks before building your campfire.
• Store liquid fire starter (not gasoline) away from your tent and campfire and only use dry kindling to freshen a campfire.
• Always put out a campfire when going to sleep or leaving the campsite. To extinguish the fire, cover with dirt or pour water over it
   

BOATING 

Boat sober - Alcohol affects your ability to function in three critical ways. Your balance, judgement and reaction time are affected almost immediately with the first drink. On the water, as on the road - don't drink and drive.  Be sure to extinguish all smoking materials and shut down motors, fans and heating devices before fueling a boat. In case of a spill, wipe up fuel immediately and check the bilge for fuel leakage and odors. After fueling and before starting the boat's motor, ventilate with the blower for at least four minutes.  On board your covered boat, consider installing a smoke detector and test the battery before using the boat each time, replacing the battery with a fresh one at least once a year.  Only use portable stoves and heaters specifically designed for marine use.

GASOLINE

• Keep gasoline out of children's sight and reach.
• Do not use or store gasoline near possible ignition sources (i.e., electrical devices, oil or gas-fired appliances, or any other device that contains a pilot flame or a spark).
• Store gasoline outside the home (i.e., in a garage or lawn shed) in a tightly closed metal or plastic container approved by an independent testing laboratory or the local or state fire authorities. Never store gasoline in glass containers or non-reusable plastic containers (i.e., milk jugs).
• Store only enough gasoline necessary to power equipment and let machinery cool before refueling it.
• Never use gasoline inside the home or as a cleaning agent.
• Clean up spills promptly and discard of clean-up materials properly.
• Do not smoke when handling gasoline.
• Never use gasoline in place of kerosene.
• Use caution when fueling automobiles. Do not get in and out of the automobile when fueling. Although rare, an electrical charge on your body could spark a fire, especially during the dry winter months.
• Only fill portable gasoline containers outdoors. Place the container on the ground before filling and never fill containers inside a vehicle or in the bed of a pick-up truck. 
• Do not use cellular phones or other electrical devices while fueling vehicles.
• For more information on gasoline safety, visit the American Petroleum Institute Web site.
   

POOL CHEMICALS

Liquid and solid chlorine-based oxidizers are commonly sold for home pool care as hydrogen chloride products.  These chemicals can spontaneously combust if contaminated by organic materials (such as body fluids, acid rain, etc.) or hydrocarbon liquids such as fuel or motor oil.  This type of fire will result in toxic fumes that can be extremely dangerous and require resident evacuation.  Store and use pool chemicals according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, and always store them well away from other items.  If the container is punctured or otherwise damaged, properly dispose of the chemicals.

LANDSCAPING / GARDENING

Trim tree limbs so they do not hang over the roof, and keep eaves and gutters free of leaves and other debris that burn easily.  Clear weeds, brush and other flammable vegetation at least 30 feet away from your home, and store firewood away from all structures.