burnabyfire - Spring/Summer Seasonal Tips

SPRING/SUMMER SEASONAL TIPS!

MATCHES/LIGHTERS:

Matches & lighters are tools, not toys. Keep matches and lighters hidden and out of reach of children.
They can be useful tools, but in the hands of children, they can be deadly.

BBQ SAFETY:
If using propane, inspect propane bottles for damage and age. Bottles must be re-qualified after ten years.
With gas/propane grills, check hose and connectors for wear and damage and ensure the connections are tight. Applying soapy water to the outside of the hose will easily reveal any leaks. Open the main cylinder valve slowly and fully (ensure burner control valves are turned off). If bubbles form, your connection is leaking.
When using BBQ grills on decks or patios, leave sufficent space away from siding, garages, and overhang.
If you live in an apartment/condo/townhouse, check with your district or building managment to ensure BBQ grills are allowed in your development.
Keep you BBQ free of built up grease and food particles to prevent flare-ups!
Always keep a fire extinguisher (5lb ABC) nearby in the event of a BBQ fire.
Before lighting your BBQ grill, ensure you have read the manufacturer's instructions and are well versed in how to use your appliance.
Never leave a BBQ unattended and keep children and pets safely away from the barbecue fire.
If using a charcoal grill, use only properly labelled starter fluid designed for barbecue grills - never subsitute gasoline or kerosene! Do not add fluid after coals have been lit.

FIREWORKS:
Don't play with fireworks!
These thrilling spectacles, even sparklers, are best left to the experts.
Burning up to 1200 degrees farenheit, fireworks can cause burns, lacerations, amputations, and blindness.
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.

BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY:
Wear a comfortable, properly fitted helmet when biking, in-line skating, skateboarding, and scootering bearing the label of an independent testing lab.
Be sure that the helmet sits level on top of the head - not rocking in any direction - and always fasten the safety strap.
Be sure that safety seat (wrist, elbow and kneepads) fits properly and does not interfere with the rider's movement, vision, or hearing. Wrist pads are not recommended for scooter riders as they may affect their ability to manoeuver.
Ride scooters and bikes only on smooth, paved surfaces and only ride during daylight hours. Learn the proper hand signals and use them when you turn or stop.
Come to a complete stop before entering driveways, paths, or sidewalks, then look left, right and left again for bikes, cars or pedestrians heading your way.
Teach crossing safety to children by example.

WATER SAFETY:
Only swim in approved areas.
Always supervise children near water at all times and make sure that children learn to swim.
Check the depth of the water with a lifeguard before jumping in.
Always wear an approved PFD (personal floatation device) when boating, jet-skiing, tubing, and water-skiing. Air-filled swimming aids, like water wings or inner tubes, are not substitutes for approved PFD's. An adult should always supervise children with these devices.
Be sure to extinguish all smoking materials and shut down motors, fans and heating devices before fuelling a boat. In case of a spill, wipe up fuel immediately and check the bilge for fuel leakage and odours. After fuelling and before starting the boat's motor, ventilate with the blower for at least four minutes.

CAMPING SAFETY TIPS:
Always use a flame retardant tent and set up camp far away from the camp fire.
Always build your campfire down wind and away from your tent. Clear all vegetation and dig a pit surrounded by rocks before building your 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.