Community Corner

Kids, Grills and Fireworks: Safety First

Safe Kids USA offers fireworks facts, grilling guidance and safety tips to avoid unintentional childhood injuries. And to keep adults (acting like kids) safe as well.

Who said, "bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this day foreward forevermore?"

That would be John Adams, in a letter to his wife, Abigail, as the Safe Kids USA network of groups working to prevent unintentional childhood injury reminds us on its Website.

To which Adams might have added: "But keep your kids safe."

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And that would include the kid in all of us.

Admit it: You, too, know of an aunt or uncle or neighbor or friend who knew what s/he was doing ("I've done it a million times") only to be nursing a wound minutes later or listening to the ringing of ears reminiscent (somewhat) of "bombs bursting in air."

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Or worse.

The best advice apparently is the simplest of advice: "No."

Fireworks Safety

"Children should never play with or light fireworks or sparklers," says Safe Kids USA. "Adults who use fireworks should not use them around children."

Obviously, the buy-in for this is not overwhelming. To wit: the group notes that in 2010, 3,400 children under age 15 were injured by fireworks. More than 70 percent of the injuries occurred in the weeks surrounding July 4.

Sparklers -- yes, those things you give your kids to keep them from begging for or playing with fireworks -- accounted for one-third of the fireworks injuries noted above.

Keep in mind: at their core, sparklers reach up to 1800° Fahrenheit.

Got it?

Good, now let's move on to the grill.

As Safe Kids notes:

Grilling Safety

Outdoors is the only good option for grilling and grills should be at least 10 feet away from the house or any other building. Bears repeating: Do not use a grill in a garage, breezeway, carport, porch or under any surface that can catch fire. Likewise, keep grills away from deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.

Declare a 3-foot "Kid-Free Zone" around the grill, and keep pets at bay as well.

Clean grills are safest. Remove grease and fat buildup both from the grill itself and the trays below.

Seriously, this still needs to be said: Keep lighted cigarettes, matches and open flames away from the grill and never leave a grill unattended.

Using Charcoal?

It is never safe to burn charcoal indoors, and that includes in tents, vehicles and campers.

Should you use a starter fluid, make sure it is a fluid designated for charcoal and never add charcoal fluid (or any other flammable liquids) to an already lit fire. Reminder: Keep charcoal fluid away from kids and away from heat sources.

When you're done grilling, let the coals cool completely before disposal. Dispose in a metal container.

Do not store a grill indoors that contains freshly used coals. Charcoal produces carbon monoxide fumes.

Gas Grill?

Check hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes and leaks.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions and if you detect a leak, immediately turn off the gas and do not attempt to light the grill until you are sure the leak is fixed.

 

 

 


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