More Summer Fire Prevention & Safety Tips from EMFD Commissioners

Summer is in full swing. That means more outdoor activities, including backyard grilling, enjoying fire pits and swimming, and maintaining the yard with chores like mowing and trimming. To enjoy a safe summer, the East Meadow Fire District Commissioners remind residents that fires and accidents can occur anytime and offer the following tip to keep yourself, your family and your home safe.

Grilling

• Keep your grill clean by removing grease from the grills and putting it in trays below the grill.
• Place the grill at least six feet away from the home, deck railings, and from under eaves and overhanging tree branches.
• Keep children and pets a safe distance away from the grilling area.
• If using charcoal when grilling, only use charcoal starter fluid and never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire.
• Never leave your grill unattended when in use.

Fire Pits

• Keep backyard recreational fires under three feet in diameter and two feet high.
• Outdoor fire pits should be confined to a permanent outdoor fire ring (like bricks), a portable fireplace, or a commercially designed chiminea.
• Residents are urged to install a screen to prevent burning embers from escaping and potentially causing a fire.
• Have a garden hose, fire extinguisher, or five-gallon bucket of water nearby while having an outdoor fire.

Swimming Pool Chemical Safety

• Store pool chemicals in compliance with local or state building and fire codes.
• Store pool chemicals below 95°F and in conditions as recommended by the manufacturer).
• Protect stored pool chemicals from getting wet.
• Protect individual stored chemicals from mixing or with other substances.
• Protect pool chemicals from heat sources and flames.
• Prioritize good housekeeping and keep the chemical storage area neat and orderly.

Fireworks Safety

• Fireworks are illegal in New York.
• Public fireworks’ displays produced by professional pyrotechnic companies are the best and safest way to enjoy these dazzling displays.
• Sparklers may seem harmless but burn at about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing, and children have received severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet.

Gasoline Storage Safety

• Store gasoline only in approved containers, such as a plastic gas can with a built-in gas can spout.
• Never use gasoline as a cleaning agent or fuel for kerosene heaters or lamps.
• Never mix gasoline with kerosene or diesel.
• Only store gasoline outside the home, in a detached garage or shed. Never store gasoline inside your house.
• Keep gasoline containers at room temperature. Store them at a safe distance (at least 50 feet) from heat sources, such as a space heater, electrical generator, furnace, or other devices.
• When pouring gasoline into a lawn mower or other gasoline-powered tool, do so slowly and carefully to avoid spillage.
• Do not attempt to fill an engine that has been running and is hot since gasoline vapors are highly flammable and can ignite easily.

In case of a fire or medical emergency, call the East Meadow Fire Department directly at 516-542-0576.

For more safety tips, visit www.eastmeadowfd.com and click the “FIRE SAFETY” tab.

The East Meadow Fire Department, which covers East Meadow and parts of Levittown and Westbury (Salisbury), is always looking for new members to join their ranks as firefighters or emergency medical personnel; no experience is necessary. The fire department provides the training required. There are numerous benefits associated with volunteering, including tax breaks, college scholarships, annual health checkups, life insurance, and a service award pension program, all at no cost. For more information on volunteering with the East Meadow Fire Department, visit www.eastmeadowfd.com, or call 516-542-4565.