Flourtown Fire Company

Volunteers Serving Springfield Township

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Summer Grilling Fire Prevention Tips

Tips/Information Compiled by Jim Belcher via the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)

Be sure to use safe grilling practices as the peak months for grilling fires approach – June and July. Gas grills constitute a higher risk, having been involved in an annual average of 6,200 home fires in 2004-2008, while charcoal or other solid-fueled grills were involved in an annual average of 1,300 home fires. Generally:

  • Keep children and pets away from grilling area
  • Grill should be placed away from home, deck railings, out from under eaves and overhanging branches
  • Check propane gas tank hose for leaks before using for the first time each year

Download NFPA Grilling Safety PDF

Video:

Check out this video from NFPA on Grilling Safety: In these videos, Ted Lemoff, former NFPA principal gas engineer, provides some key safety tips for both gas and charcoal grills.

General Grill Safety Tips

  • Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.
  • The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
  • Keep children and pets away from the grill area.
  • Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
  • Never leave your grill unattended.

Charcoal Grills

  • There are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel.
  • If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire.
  • Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.
  • There are also electric charcoal starters, which do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use.
  • When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container.

Propane Grills

Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off the gas tank and grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department. If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.

It’s National Volunteer Week, April 10 – 16, 2011

Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week has grown exponentially in scope each year since, drawing the support and endorsement of all subsequent U.S. presidents, governors, mayors and other respected elected officials.

National Volunteer Week is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities.  It’s about demonstrating to the nation that by working together, in unison, we have the fortitude to meet our challenges and accomplish our goals.

National Volunteer Week is about taking action, encouraging individuals and their respective communities to be at the center of social change—discovering and actively demonstrating their collective power to foster positive transformation.

So, what do you think?  Are you up for a challenge?  Would you like to serve your community, and help your fellow man?

We want you!  Consider volunteering at Flourtown Fire Company.

Join us!  Click here for more information.

DURACELL – Power Those Who Protect Us

Give back to volunteer firefighters with Duracell’s Power Those Who Protect Us battery donation program.

When you purchase specially marked CopperTop packs, Duracell will make a battery donation to volunteer fire departments to power communication devices and life-saving equipment.

Each pack contains a unique code, which you can use to direct your battery donation to a volunteer fire department.

Please visit DURACELL.com, click on the get started button, enter your donation code, and send your battery donation to Flourtown Fire Company.

We Can’t Help You – If We Can’t Find You.

With the recent heavy snowfall, Flourtown Fire Company reminds residents to clear snow from your address marker and the nearest hydrant. A snow covered hydrant slows the emergency response of firefighters putting water on a fire.

Photos by Robert Wilmot:

After the recent significant snowfall some members of Flourtown Fire Company uncovered hydrants throughout Flourtown and Erdenheim, if we didn’t get to one near you, please help us and clear the snow away from the hydrant. Photo by George Wilmot III, firefighters, Sal Santangelo, Tyler Buckley and Andrew Johnson clear snow from a hydrant, not pictured but also clearing hydrants was George and Lexi Wilmot and Chris van Eekelen.

2009 Flourtown Fire Company Fire Prevention Open House

October 5, 2009 Flourtown Fire company held its annual fire prevention open house. There was food, tours of the fire trucks, a fire prevention puppet show, oven/stove fire demonstrations and Barren Hill Fire Company’s smoke house. The highlight of the evening was Scooby-Doo’s arrival on the new Squad 6 following the landing of PennStar’s helicopter.

Images of Flourtown Fire Company’s Fire Prevention Open House – 2009