State firemen’s and propane associations offer tips to make 4th of July safer for St. Lawrence County residents – North Country Now

The Firemans Association of the State of New York (FASNY) and the New York Propane Gas Association (NYPGA) have summer safety tips for people in the North Country as Fourth of July celebrations near.

Before we start grilling this holiday weekend, NYPGA wants consumers to stay safe with these key tips:

Safety for Kids The grilling area should be designated as a No Play Zone, keeping kids and pets away from the equipment. To help kids learn about gas grill safety, the Propane Education & Research Council has launched the website http://www.propanekids.com.

Ventilation - Always keep the lid open when lighting your grill. Don't close it until you are sure the grill is lit. Keep the grill in a well-ventilated outdoor area, at least 10 feet away from the house, and at least three feet away from trees and shrubs. Never cover the bottom of the grill with foil - it can restrict air circulation. Always use and store propane cylinders outdoors in an upright position. After filling or exchanging a cylinder, take it home immediately. While transporting the cylinder, keep your vehicle ventilated and the valve closed or capped. Do not leave the cylinder in your vehicle.

Firing Up The Grill Safely - Never use matches or lighters to check for leaks. And never use starter fluid with propane grills. Do not smoke while handling a propane cylinder, and keep all flammable materials away from the grill. If the grill does not ignite within ten seconds, turn off the gas, keep the lid open and wait five minutes before trying again. If the igniter fails to light the grill after two or three tries, turn off the gas and replace the igniter according to the manufacturers instructions. Regularly check the tubes that lead into the burner for blockage from insects or food grease. Never attempt to repair, clean or clear blockages on a hot grill.

General Safety Tips - Always have one person in charge of the fire at all times. Never leave a hot grill unattended. Never attempt to repair the tank valve or the appliance yourself. See a propane gas dealer or a qualified appliance repair person. Be sure to locate your model number and the manufacturers consumer inquiry phone number and write them on the front page of your manual. If you smell gas and you are able to, safely turn off the cylinder vale, turning it to the right (clockwise). Immediately leave the area and call 911 or your local fire department. Before you use the grill again, have a qualified service technician inspect your cylinder.

FASNY is advising North Country Independence Day celebrants to consider not participating in the time-honored tradition of patriotic firework displays if they are not certified professionals.

New York State recently legalized the use of certain sparkling devices, and many counties now allow the sale of these types of fireworks.

Despite their relatively benign appearance, sparklers can be extremely dangerous. According to a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) report, sparklers accounted for more than a quarter of all fireworks injuries in 2014. The tip of a sparkler burns at a temperature of nearly 2,000 degree Fahrenheit, which is as hot as a blow torch. Furthermore, nearly half of all fires reported on Independence Day were caused by fireworks or similar devices.

The misguided legalization of sparklers and other devices does not change the fact that fireworks and sparklers are extremely dangerous, said FASNY President Ken Pienkowski. Fireworks should only be used by professionals who have undergone the proper training and certification. There are countless, excellent fireworks displays across New York State, and FASNY urges all New Yorkers to enjoy these shows and avoid a serious injury over the holiday.

In 2015, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that 67 percent of all fireworks-related injuries occurred in the month surrounding July 4, and that children and young adults under the age of 20 constituted 42 percent all those injured. For children under the age of five, sparklers accounted for 65 percent of the total number of injuries sustained.

We hope everybody has a happy, safe Fourth of July, said Pienkowski. Should there be an emergency or unsafe situation, we urge New Yorkers to call 911 for help. Its better to be safe than sorry.

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State firemen's and propane associations offer tips to make 4th of July safer for St. Lawrence County residents - North Country Now