Community Corner

Grill Safe, Swim Safe This Summer

Follow these tips on Memorial Day weekend and all summer long.

Summer’s coming. Like it or not. But who doesn’t like it? Really? What’s not to like?

Fire and EMS crews can tell you.

“The men and women of your Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services Department unfortunately have seen many festive occasions quickly turn into tragedy,” reads a statement from the PGFD.

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So don’t be a killjoy. Open the pool, fire up the grill and stay safe this summer by following these tips, provided by the Prince George’s County Fire and EMS Department.

Pool safety  

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First off, the fire department cannot fill your pool for you – you need a private contractor for that. Once that’s taken care of …

Parents:

• Always watch your children and never leave them unattended.  A lack of adult supervision is one of the leading contributing factors to children drowning.

• Do not rely on flotation devices to protect your children from drowning. You must supervise at all times.

• Have a phone nearby in the event you need to call 911.

• Have children swim in pairs — the "buddy system"

• If a child is missing — check the pool first.

• Teach your child how to swim. Visit www.pgparks.com/aquatics.htm for additional information.

• Learn CPR. Visit http://www.redcrossnca.org/ for additional information.

Pool owners and managers:

• Install a fence around the perimeter of the pool.

• Use self-closing latches and gates.

• Install a door alarm from the house to the pool area. 

• Have life saving equipment nearby such as life rings or reaching poles    

Grill safety

Cooking can be dangerous, and not just in a "are-all-the-burgers-burnt" way. “Unattended cooking” is actually the No. 1 cause of fires and fire-related injures in Prince George’s County, according to the Fire and EMS Department. 

If you plan on cooking out this weekend:

• Never use a grill indoors including garages, overhangs and canopies 

• By law, grills must be at least 30 feet away from any multi-family apartment dwelling. 

• When using a grill at your single family home — homeowners should use a 10-foot perimeter from anything combustible — including your house. Never place a grill up against your house, wood deck or fence.

• In Prince George’s County - all grills are illegal to use on balconies of apartments and condominium apartments 

• Do not allow children and pets to play near a grill — set up a 10-foot safety zone around your grill.

• Only use approved ignition fluids — never use gasoline to ignite a grill 

• Keep a fire extinguisher, garden hose or bucket of sand nearby to douse a grill fire that gets out of control.

• Inspect your grill before you ignite to ensure everything is in working order. This inspection includes all connections on your gas grills are tight and not leaking.

• Charcoal ashes and used briquettes should be disposed of in a metal container and allowed to cool down for up to 48 hours before disposal. Keep ash container off of your wood deck and away from your house.

Follow these safety tips this weekend and all summer and you’re less likely to see fire and EMS crews — unless you’ve invited them over for a burger.


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