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HELP PREVENT YOUR HOMES WATER PIPES FROM FREEZING

The Brigantine Fire Department wants to remind you, accompanied with the heart of winter is the menace of frozen pipes.  We recommend to do all of the following every fall, to help and winterize your home, including draining all outside water sources such as sprinkler systems, showers, and garden hose outlets. 

Additionally, make sure if your home will be unoccupied for any extended period of time, leave your thermostat in the home set at 55 degrees or above, to help prevent pipes from freezing.  During extreme cold spells, consisting of 3 days or more of continuous below freezing temperatures, make sure the thermostat is set at 60 or above.

            Also, if the weather is anticipating temperatures below freezing, try and keep a faucet in your home on a continual slow drip.  The water stream should be about the size of a drinking straw, to keep water flowing in your pipes and help prevent still water from freezing.

Barbeque Grilling Safety from The Brigantine Fire Department

With Memorial Day upon us, many people will be hosting backyard barbecues. The Brigantine Fire Department is reminding residents to follow important fire safety tips so they can enjoy a safe summer season.

The outdoor cookout season will soon be in full swing. Unfortunately, a barbecue grill could start a fire if certain safety rules are ignored. It’s important to position the grill far away from siding, deck railings, trees and other flammables. When gatherings involve children, it’s critical that a child-free zone of at least three feet is established around the grill.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2008-2010, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 7,700 home fires involving grills, hibachis or barbecues per year, including an average of 3,200 structure fires and 4,500 outside fires.

These 7,700 fires caused an annual average of 13 civilian deaths, 120 civilian injuries and $70 million in direct property damage. Gas grills were involved in an average of 6,200 home fires, and charcoal or other solid-fueled grills were involved in 1,300 home fires. More than one-quarter (29%) of the home structure fires involving grills started on a courtyard, terrace or patio, 28% started on an exterior balcony or open porch, and 7% started in the kitchen.

BEFORE BARBECUING:

• Check your grill thoroughly for leaks, cracking or brittleness before using it.
• Check the tubes leading to the burner regularly for blockages. Check your specific grill manufacturer's instructions.
• Make sure the grill is at least 10 feet away from your house, garage or trees.
• Store and use your grill on a large flat surface that cannot burn (i.e.- concrete or asphalt).
• Don't use grills in a garage, on a porch, deck or on top of anything that can catch on fire. Never use a propane barbecue grill on a balcony. it is both dangerous and illegal.
• Keep children away from fires and grills. It is a good idea to establish a safety zone around the grill and instruct children to remain outside the zone.
• Before getting a propane cylinder filled, check for any damages to it.
• Never transport or store propane cylinders in the trunk of your automobile.

DURING BARBECUING:

• Keep children away from the grill.
• Don't wear loose clothing that might catch fire.
• Use long-handled barbecue tools and/or flame-resistant mitts.
• Never use any flammable liquid other than a barbecue starter fluid to start/freshen a fire.
• Never pour or squirt starter fluid onto an open flame. The flame can easily flashback along the fluid's path to the container in your hands.
• Keep alcoholic beverages away from the grill; they are flammable.
• Never leave the grill unattended.

BARBECUE SAFELY:

• When lighting your propane barbecue, make sure all the connections are secure, open the lid and strike your match or lighter before turning on the gas.
• Always shut off the propane fuel at the grill and at the bottle after you have finished barbecuing. Otherwise, this will lead to fire hazards, such as leaks and faulty regulators.
• Store your BBQ grill and propane cylinder outdoors.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the safe use, cleaning and maintenance of your grill.
• Test your cylinder for leaks on a regular basis. When testing for leaks, never use matches or an open flame. Use soapy water or a leak detector.
• Store your cylinder away from heat and insert a safety plug on the valve.

AFTER BARBECUING:

• Always follow the manufacturer's cleaning and storing instructions that accompany the grill.
• Keep your grill clean and free of grease buildup that may lead to a fire.
• Never store liquid or pressurized fuels inside your home and/or near any possible sources of flame.

IN CASE OF A BARBECUE FIRE:

• For PROPANE grills - turn off the burners. For CHARCOAL grills - close the grill lid. Disconnect the power to ELECTRIC grills.
• For PROPANE grills - if you can safely reach the tank valve, shut it off.
• If the fire involves the tank, leave it alone, evacuate the area and call the fire department.
• If there is any type of fire that either threatens your personal safety or endangers property, ALWAYS call the Fire Department.
• NEVER attempt to extinguish a grease fire with water. It will only cause the flames to flare up. Use an approved portable fire extinguisher.

FIRE DEPARTMENT WANTS TO HELP YOU BEAT THE HEAT

            The Brigantine Fire Department wants inform our residents, with summer on the way, on an island filled with recreational opportunities like walking or jogging on the beach, a round of golf, a game of tennis or bocce, or a dip in the bay or ocean, your primary concern shouldn’t only be fun in the sun.  Summer weather and warmer temperatures bring their own set of concerns.  The number one concern is heat.  Heat can cause serious problems with your health and safety.

            When the weather is hot, your body works overtime trying to stay cool.  Excess heat escapes through sweating, exhalation of air and increased blood flow to the skin.  Hot weather can overwhelm those mechanisms, leading to uncomfortable and oftentimes harmful symptoms.  Heat problems are preventable with the proper precautions.

            Some people are at a greater risk than others to suffer heat related illness, including infants and young children, people aged 65 and older, people with mental illness, those who are physically ill, or have heart disease or high blood pressure, and those who must work in or wear protective equipment, including helmets, respirators, and heavy clothing.

            A few symptoms of heat induced ailments to watch for are dehydration, indicated by thirst and less frequent urination, prickly heat bumps or an irritating skin rash, as well as cramps and painful muscle contractions.  Also watch for edema (swelling of the hands and feet) and exhaustion or fatigue, characterized by clammy skin, paleness, dizziness, nausea, fever and headache. 

            Some prevention tips to remember when trying to beat the heat include drinking more fluids, such as water or electrolyte drinks (sports drinks).   Drink before you get thirsty, and continue to drink fluids often.  Try to avoid drinking liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar like soda, because these cause a loss in body fluids.  Also, try and wear loose fitting, lightweight, light colored clothing, along with a hat or cap, and try to keep your neck covered.

            If possible, stay indoors in an air-conditioned place.  If you do not have air conditioning, go to a shopping mall, public library, or City sponsored cooling center (like the Brigantine Civic Center).  A few hours spent in these cooler environments can help your body stay cooler.  Remember that electric fans may provide comfort, but when temperatures soar in the 90’s, or in high humidity, fans do little to prevent heat related illness.   Also remember to consult your health care provider or pharmacist to see which medications you may be taking are affected by the heat.

            Never leave the elderly, children or pets in a closed, parked vehicle, even for a few minutes.  Try and limit outdoor exercise to moderate activity, performed during cooler periods of the day such as early morning or late evening hours.  Do not exert yourself.  Don’t forget that whenever necessary, it’s always alright to rest.

            The most severe of all heat related incidents is heat stroke, which is a life threatening situation.  If you or someone you are with develops the following symptoms, dial 911 immediately for medical help.  They include lethargy or sluggishness, rapid heart rate and breathing, confusion, disorientation, agitation and irritability.  Also a high body temperature, intense muscle aches, fever, diarrhea or nausea, as well as convulsions, fainting, seizure or loss of consciousness.

            While waiting for the Brigantine Fire Department ambulance, after dialing 911, you can support a heat stroke victim by doing the following: get the person out of the heat to a cooler environment, if possible take them indoors.  Fan the person with a newspaper or towel to cool the body, and try to loosen or remove clothing and sprinkle the skin lightly with water.  Attempt to elevate the feet to direct blood flow back towards the head, and if available, apply ice packs to the groin area or armpits. 

 Always remember, when you have fun in the heat, stay safe and healthy!