Nocona Volunteer Fire Department would like to encourage the citizens of our community to use care while enjoying the summer months and outdoor activities. Summer can be a time for family fun and relaxation. But it also poses special hazards for burns, fires and injuries of all kinds.

Fireworks: Leave them to the professionals! Even fireworks that are legal are very dangerous. They are designed to burn and explode and should be used only by trained professional pyrotechnicsts. Stay away from friends who shoot off fireworks or hand out sparklers. Instead, attend an outdoor public display put on by professionals like the one the Lion's Club provides each 4th of July. That's the safer and saner way to enjoy fireworks. 

Barbecue grills: Keep grills well away from anything that can burn, including your home, autos, dry vegetation and other combustibles. Don't leave the grill unattended while it's lit and keep children and pets away from it.

For charcoal grills, only use starter fluid designed for grills; never use gasoline. Use only a limited amount of starter fluid before lighting the fire; never add more liquid to build up a slow fire as flash fires can result. If the fire is slow, add more kindling or more charcoal instead. Soak coals with water before you discard them. For gas grills, always store the gas cylinder outside, away from structures, and turn off the valves when not in use. Check frequently for any leaks in connections (use a soap and water mixture to show bubbles where gas escapes). Never use barbecue grills inside the house. Protect yourself by wearing an oven mitt that fits up over your elbow and a heavy apron while cooking on a barbecue grill.

If you do get burned, run cool water over the burn for 10 to 15 minutes. Never put butter or salve on burns because they seal in heat and can cause further damage to the skin.

Lawnmowers and other equipment: Store just enough gasoline to power your lawn-care equipment. Keep it outside the home in a clearly marked can approved for gasoline storage. Never store gasoline or any flammable liquid near a heat source or flame. Don't smoke when using gasoline or gasoline-powered equipment. Refuel only outside, well away from combustibles. Turn off the equipment and let it cool before refueling. Wipe up any spills immediately and move the equipment at least 10 feet away from the fueling area before starting the engine.

Pool chemicals: Liquid and solid chlorine-based oxidizers are commonly sold for home pool care as hydrogen chlorine products. These chemicals can combust spontaneously if contaminated by organic materials (body fluids, acid rain, etc.) or hydrocarbons (fuel or motor oil). This type of fire will result in toxic fumes that can be extremely dangerous and require evacuation of the area.

Store and use pool chemicals according to manufacturer's recommendations. Never store them inside the home or near heat or flame sources. If the container is punctured or otherwise damaged, dispose of the chemicals properly and replace them.

Boating: Extinguish smoking materials and shut down all motors, fans and heating devices before fueling. Be sure the nozzle is grounded to the fuel intake and don't fill to capacity; leave room for expansion. Wipe up fuel spills immediately and check the bilge for fuel leaks and odors. Ventilate with the blower for at least four minutes after fueling and before starting the motor.

On board a covered boat, install a smoke detector and check the battery before using the boat each time. Replace the battery with a fresh one at least once a year. Portable stoves and heaters not specifically designed for marine use are not safe on boats.

Camping: Pitch your flame-retardant tent well away from your campfire. Inside the tent, use only flashlights or battery-powered lanterns, never liquid-fueled heaters or lanterns, or charcoal as a heating source.

Build your campfire downwind, away from your tent. Clear away all dry vegetation and dig a pit surrounded by rocks. Carefully watch the signs in forests and campgrounds that advise of fire potential and exercise appropriate cautions. Pour water over or cover the fire with dirt before going to sleep or leaving the campsite. Store liquid firestarter away from your tent and campfire and use only dry kindling to freshen a campfire; never use gasoline or starter fluid to revive a slow fire.

Around your yard: Trim tree limbs so they don't hang over your roof and keep eaves and gutters free of leaves and other debris. Clear weeds, brush and other vegetation at least 30 feet away from your home. Store firewood away from all structures.

Send mail to mailto:noconafire@yahoo.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: October 30, 1999