The University of Kentucky, by Robert McCool
It’s summertime! a time of year to light up the grill, light up the sky with fireworks, and celebrate with loved ones. Summertime fun is all about being carefree and informal, but it’s equally crucial to remember safety when having a good time.
Although grills can cause fire concerns, grilling meals is a traditional summertime event activity. Use these suggestions to barbecue for your loved ones without surprising your neighborhood firefighters:
Grills are used for cooking outside. A grill should never be used indoors or in a covered space like an awning or tent.
A minimum of ten feet should separate the grill from buildings and overhanging branches. Wood, vinyl siding, and other flammable materials that are too close to a barbecue can catch fire due to the heat that the grill emits.
Place your grill on a level, sturdy, and non-flammable surface.
Children, pets, and anybody who have trouble balancing should be kept at least three feet away from the grill.
When grilling, avoid wearing aprons or loose, dangling garments.
A gas grill’s propane cylinder should never be switched when the grill is hot.
A charcoal grill should never be started with a lot of charcoal lighter, nor should it be started with any other flammable liquid. Once the fire has begun, never put more flammable liquid on it.
Use an extra-long match or a lighter with a long handle to ignite the grill.
Quickly fire the grill or activate the igniter after turning on the gas if you’re using a gas grill. A big explosion of flame can be produced by letting the gas inside the grill accumulate before lighting it.
When a grill is hot, never leave it unattended. This covers both when the grill is heating up and when it is cooling down after use.
If a fire starts, have a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher close at reach. Small flareups can be put out with a water-filled spray bottle.
One of the biggest summer holidays is Independence Day, which is frequently marked with fireworks. In 2023, over 9,700 people received treatment for firework injuries in hospital emergency rooms. Use these guidelines to prevent fireworks-related injuries and fires:
Never let kids play with or light any form of fireworks, including sparklers.
Avoid holding fireworks in your hands or attempting to shoot them from bottles or other hand-held devices.
Only buy and use fireworks that are allowed in your location and are of consumer quality, not professional.
Never aim fireworks or point them at people, pets, or other animals.
When lighting the fuse, never put any part of your body above a firework. Move to a safe distance as soon as a firework fuse is lit.
Avoid attempting to light more than one firecracker at once.
Never handle broken fireworks or attempt to relight them. After soaking them in water, discard them.
Make sure that any aerial pyrotechnics, such rockets or mortars, are pointed directly upward and far from trees, buildings, and combustible objects like long grass or brush.
Whenever you are igniting fireworks, have a big bucket of water or a garden hose close at hand.
Never use fireworks while under the influence of alcohol or any other drug.
You may maximize your summertime enjoyment while staying safe by adhering to these easy safety guidelines.
Program coordinator Robert McCoolis works at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health’s Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center.