Newspaper Page Text
Page 4B
lifeitufo
THURSDAY, JUNE 28 - JULY 4, 2018
Fire Rescue:
Don’t let summer fun
go up in smoke
BY KATHY MITCHELL
The sunny days of summer are
just right for grilling outside or frying
favorites on the stove, but these
popular activities can also set the
scene for home fires. Representatives
of DeKalb Fire Rescue were at the
Covington Highway Library June 21
to advise families on preventing home
fires and getting away safely when a
fire occurs.
July is the peak month for grill fires,
according to material circulated at the
event by Fire Rescue. The month’s
signature holiday, Independence
Day, often brings families and
friends around the grill for what the
department calls one of the most
popular ways to cook food.
“First, you must remember that not
every place is appropriate for a grill. A
grill placed too close to anything that
can bum is a fire hazard,” said Sharon
A. Newsom of the department’s public
education unit. “Some apartment
complexes forbid using grills on their
patios and decks, but whether there’s
a rule or not, it’s smart to be careful
where you place a grill.”
She said propane and charcoal
grills should only be used outdoors
and should be placed well away from
the home and deck railing and never
under eaves or overhanging branches.
Newsom added that children should be
kept at least three feet from the grilling
area and grills should never be left
unattended.
Newsom said there are several ways
to get a charcoal grill ready for use,
including charcoal chimney starters
which use newspaper to get the fire
going. “If you use starter fluid, be sure
it’s fluid designed for use with charcoal
as other flammable liquids may be
unsafe,” she said, noting that it’s never
safe to add flammable liquids after the
fire is burning. When an electric starter
is used, she said, the extension cord
should be certified for outdoor use.
Before use, propane gas tank hoses
should be checked for leaks, according
to Fire Rescue information sheets,
which say this can be done by applying
a light soap and water solution to the
hose. The solution will bubble where
there’s a leak. If either the soap test
or smell indicates a leak and there’s
no flame, Fire Rescue recommends
turning off both the tank and the
grill. “If the leak stops, have the grill
serviced by a professional before using
it again. If the leak does not stop,
call the fire department,” Fire Rescue
handouts advise. “If you smell gas
while you’re cooking, immediately get
away from the grill and call the fire
department. Do not move the grill,” the
material states.
Inside kitchen fires can quickly
get out of hand, Newsom warned.
She recommended all homes have at
least one smoke detector and a fire
extinguisher and make sure both are
working.
Newsom demonstrated testing
the smoke detector and added that
Fire Rescue has a limited number of
smoke detectors and batteries that can
be given to homeowners. She said
families should not only have a fire
extinguisher but be sure it’s handy and
in working condition. “They don’t last
forever. If you don’t remember when
you got it, it’s probably time to replace
it.
“Home fire extinguishers are only
for small fires—about what would fit in
this pot,” she said, holding a container
approximately the size of a six-quart
Dutch oven. “If the wall is on fire, just
get out and call your fire department.
You can’t handle it yourself.”
Newsom said children sometimes
start home fires when they try to cook
without adult supervision. “You know
what they like. They try cooking
things like French fries that involve
large amounts of hot grease.” She held
up the pot, which contained orange
and yellow paper spikes to represent
flames. “They shouldn’t be cooking at
all by themselves; but tell children if
they are in the kitchen and the grease
catches fire the best thing to do is put
the lid on the pot and smother the fire.”
Newsom said.
“Can’t you just throw water on it?”
an audience member asked.
“No, absolutely not,” Newsom
answered. “That’s the worst thing
you can do. Water can cause the fire
to spread and even cause it to spread
to you. Again, if the fire is large or
moving quickly, the focus should
be on making yourself safe. Call
our department and let professional
firefighters put out the fire.” She
reminded attendees that during a house
fire flames aren’t the only hazard;
smoke is harmful as well.
Newsom said just as schools and
office buildings have fire evacuation
plans, homes should have them. “You
normally leave the house through the
door, but if you can’t reach the door,
look for a window you can go through.
Every family member should know at
least two ways to get out of the house,”
she said.
Sharon A. Newsom of DeKalb County Fire Rescue gives tips for preventing fires while cooking inside
and outside the home.
Public Education Specialist Sherry Galvez, left, introduces Theo, an English yellow lab who works with
Dekalb County firefighters.