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Fire department offers tips for fire safety during summer

  • Published
  • By Scott AFB Fire Prevention Office
  • 375th CES
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Spring is here, and it's time to prepare for our favorite spring and summer activities. It's the ideal time to perform "spring cleaning" in order to check our homes for unsafe conditions, and to ensure our families are safe from potential fire hazards during the upcoming summer fire season. We tend to accumulate items throughout the year that pile up around the house, and it's amazing how quickly our garages and basements fill up.

Here are a few fire tips to help you perform your annual spring cleaning, and to ensure that your family has a safe spring and summer season:

Check all appliances and extension cords for frayed and/or damaged wiring.

Vacuum and clean behind furniture and appliances.

Clean smoke detectors by lightly running a vacuum over the face of each smoke detector and change the batteries.

Place barbecue grills at least 15 feet from any buildings or overhangs. Store charcoal in a dry, cool location. Be sure to thoroughly inspect your grill before use. Grills are a favorite winter hiding place for critters.

Recycle: Get rid of old newspapers, magazines and junk mail.

Remove leaves and trash from carports and garages. These are dangerous if exposed to heated automobile components, especially under the vehicle.

Make sure flammable liquids and home chemicals are well marked and out of the reach of children and pets, and are stored in a cool dry place outside the house or work area.
Plan your escape. Sit down with your family or co-workers and discuss what to do in the event of a fire and identify your meeting place outside the house/work area.

Clean your oven and stove; oil, grease and crumbs can ignite.

Keep combustible items, i.e., oven mitts, towels, wooden utensils, paper towels, etc. off the top of the stove.

Plug cooking appliances directly into wall outlets. Do not use extension cords or surge protectors with cooking appliances.

Ensure 3 feet of space for children and pets around the stove or areas where hot food are prepared or served.

Do not leave the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, boiling or when cooking anything on a cooking surface. If you leave the kitchen for a short period of time, turn off the stove and remove the pan from the burner.

When baking, roasting or boiling check the oven regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking and use a timer to remind you to check the oven while cooking.

For more information, call the Scott AFB Fire Prevention Office at 256-3378.