Summer Safety Tips
As the summer season approaches, we may be looking forward to sprucing up our yard, vacation trips, days at the beach, barbecues with friends and loved ones or watching holiday fireworks. Every year thousands of needless injuries and deaths are caused by failure to follow simple safety tips. A little caution and planning will help you avoid an unnecessary tragedy.

GASOLINE and LAWN MOWERS:

• Gasoline vapors are highly flammable. They stay on your clothing and can ignite if you light a match or cigarette.
• Store gasoline in approved containers outside or in a building not attached to the house. Never keep gasoline inside the home.
• Keep gasoline away from all heat sources such as smoking materials, pilot lights, campfires, and grills.
• Never fuel a lawn mower while it is hot. Give it a few minutes to cool off first.
• Always keep hands and feet away from the mower while it is running.

BARBECUE SAFETY

Use all barbecue grills away from the house. Never use gasoline on any grill! Supervise children whenever any grill is in use.

Gas Grills

• Keep all LP-gas outside, at least three feet away from building openings such as doors, windows, dryer vents and air intake vents.
• We recommend LP-gas cannisters be ten feet away from the house if possible, especially when in use.
• All LP gas cylinders with a capacity between 4-40 lbs. must be equipped with an "overfill" protection device.
• LP-gas grills are not permitted inside or on balconies above the first floor of any building used for human habitation. This is prohibited by Massachusetts Code of Fire Prevention Regulations 527 CMR 6.07 (5)(a).Owners of multi-story dwellings, or apartment buildings should advise the tenants of these regulations to not place propane-fired gas grills (with propane cylinders attached) on exterior decks or porches.
• LP-gas is heavier than air and sinks. A leaky grill could pose a hazard to people below. Possible ignition sources include smoking materials, air conditioners, compressors, pilot lights and cars.
• Make sure all connections are tight and secure
• Remember, should you have an LP-gas fire CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY BY DIALING 911. DO NOT try to extinguish the fire yourself.

Charcoal Grills

Use only charcoal lighter fluid to start charcoal grills.

Once the coals have been lighted, never add more lighter fluid to the fire -- flames may travel up the stream of lighter fluid resulting in serious burns.

FIREWORKS:

• Enjoy the many professional, supervised fireworks dispalys.
• The possession and use of all fireworks by provate citizens is illegal in Massachusetts.
• This includes sparklers, party poppers, snappers, firecrackers and cherry bombs, just to name a few.
• It is illegal to purchase firewortks in another state and transport them into Massachusetts.
• DO NOT purchase fireworks through mail-order catalogues. We cannot prohibit distribution of these catalogues, but we do confiscate illegal shipments of fireworks.
• Remember:  Consumers attempting to circumvent the law have lost both their money and their fireworks.

OVERHEATED VEHICLES:

Opening hot vehicle radiators is a leading cause of burns to motorists, young and old alike. When your vehicle has been running for an extended period or overheats, pressure builds up in the radiator. If you open a hot radiator without using care and caution, hot steam and liquid can splash on your hands and face causing severely painful burns. These burns can be prevented if we use patience and the appropriate precautions.

Remember to:

• Always turn off your car and wait at least one-half hour before attempting to open the radiator
• Always use a heavy rag or cloth to open the radiator to prevent steam or fluid splash.
• Always stand back as far as possible and keep your face away in case the radiator should rupture.

TRAVEL SAFETY:  (Hotels-Motels)

Consider fire safety when checking into a hotel or motel. Select accommodations equipped with sprinklers and smoke detectors in the rooms if possible. Count the number of doors down the hall to the nearest fire exit stairwell.

NEVER use the elevators in the case of fire. You could become trapped in it should the power fail or it could unexpectedly open up on the "fire" floor.

Keep the room key, eyeglasses (if you wear them) and a flashlight on the night table. If a fire occurs, take them with you and go to the door.

• If the door feels cool, open the door a crack. Be ready to close the door if hot air, flames or smoke rush through the crack.
• If this does not occur, yet the hall is hazy with smoke, crawl down the hall counting the doors to the nearest stairway exit.
• If this exit cannot be reached, turn around and count the doors back to your room. Unlock the door and re-enter.

If it is unsafe to leave the room during a fire:

• Fill the tub with cold water
• Stuff wet towels around the door to keep smoke out.
• Cover your face with a wet cloth and stay low if smoke gets in the room.
• If possible, open a window and hang a sheet outside to signal for help
• DO NOT JUMP