Summer Safety Tips

Fireworks Safety

• The best way to enjoy fireworks is to visit public fireworks displays put on by professionals who know how to safely handle fireworks.
• If you plan to use fireworks, make sure they are legal in your area. (Fireworks are ILLEGAL in the state of PA)
• Never light fireworks indoors or near dry grass.
• Always have a bucket of water and/or a fire extinguisher nearby. Know how to operate the fire extinguisher properly.
• Do not wear loose clothing while using fireworks.
• Stand several feet away from lit fireworks. If a devise does not go off, do not stand over it to investigate it. Put it out with water and dispose of it.
• Always read the directions and warning labels on fireworks. If a devise is not marked with the contents, direction and a warning label, do not light it.
• Supervise children around fireworks at all times.

Barbecue Safety

• Before using a grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line. Make sure the venturi tubes - where the air and gas mix - are not blocked.
• Do not overfill the propane tank.
• Do not wear loose clothing while cooking at a barbecue.
• Be careful when using lighter fluid. Do not add fluid to an already lit fire because the flame can flashback up into the container and explode.
• Keep all matches and lighters away from children. Teach your children to report any loose matches or lighters to an adult immediately. Supervise children around outdoor grills.
• Dispose of hot coals properly - douse them with plenty of water, and stir them to ensure that the fire is out. Never place them in plastic, paper or wooden containers.
• Never grill/barbecue in enclosed areas - carbon monoxide could be produced.
• Make sure everyone knows to Stop, Drop and Roll in case a piece of clothing does catch fire. Call 911 or your local emergency number if a burn warrants serious medical attention.

Campfire Safety

• Build campfires where they will not spread, away from dry grass and leaves.
• Keep campfires small, and don't let them get out of hand.
• Keep plenty of water and a shovel around to douse the fire when you're done. Stir it and douse it again with water.
• Never leave campfires unattended.

Gasoline Safety

•  Never smoke or strike a match or lighter while fueling a chain saw, garden
  tractor, lawnmower, and other gasoline engines. The invisible vapors are
  considered dangerous and explosive.
•  When refueling your lawnmower or other gasoline-powered yard equipment,
  always turn off the engine to avoid stray sparks.
•  Pour gasoline very carefully. If you spill gasoline, wipe it up immediately and
  let the saturated rag air out thoroughly.
•  Keep gasoline in an approved container with a tight  tting lid to keep the vapors inside.
•  Store gasoline containers out of the reach of children and away from potential ignition sources.
•  Never store or use gasoline in an enclosed area or in the presence of pilot lights.

Around the Home

Summer spells the beginning of all sorts of things, one of them: electrical storms. Between lightning, power outages and other electrical hazards in the aftermath of a storm, many people can be injured or even killed. Follow a few safety tips to protect yourself and your family:

1) When storms have brought flood waters, there are ever-present dangers, one of them being electrical. Be careful when stepping in large pools of water. There could be downed lines, submerged outlets or electrical cords lying beneath the waters. Most people think that they can safely walk across waters that aren’t so deep, but they don’t stop to consider the electrical angle and can be severely hurt or killed.

2) If you’ve experienced flooding in your home or business, remember not to run any appliances that have gotten wet. Water damages some electrical appliance motors in things like washers and dryers, refrigerators and stoves, even the furnace. Electrical parts can become grounded and the user is at risk of electric shock or fire.

3) Downed power lines can move around and cause serious injury. It’s not safe to drive a car over downed electrical lines, nor is it safe to step over them. Running current can cause the wire to jump around, causing serious injury or worse.

4) Don’t touch anything that has a downed wire laying on it. If, for example, a power line is downed and hanging in a tree, stay completely away from the tree and touch nothing near it. Electricity can travel more than some people might realize. Call to inform the power company of downed wires right away.

5) Do not attempt to move, scoot or drag a person that is in contact with a power line. Some people have been seriously injured while trying to use a stick to move the power line or while trying to drag the person by his pant cuffs or other clothing.

6) Stay away from even small amounts of water if there’s a downed power line nearby. There can be a power line across the street and you can be electrocuted while stepping into a small puddle of water, yards away. Never underestimate electricity; it can travel great distances if it has any conductive.

Air Conditioner Safety Tips

The heat of summer can be more than just uncomfortable. For some folks, it can be quite dangerous. Staying out of the sun, wearing loose clothing, and drinking lots of water helps. But, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), air-conditioning is the No.1 protection against heat-related illness and death.

However, as with all things electrical, care must be taken to ensure that no safety hazards are present. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation (ESFI), contact with electric current from air conditioners accounts for a significant number of electrocutions and electrical injuries each year. The U.S. Fire Administration says that, while some electrical fires are caused by electrical system failures and appliance defects, many more are caused by misuse and poor maintenance of electrical appliances, incorrectly installed wiring, and overloaded circuits and extension cords.

To avoid dangerous situations while your unit is running, please follow these guidelines:

- Be sure that both the electrical circuit and the electrical outlet can handle the load. When in doubt, have a licensed electrician inspect your home's wiring and advise you as to whether it will safely handle air conditioning units.

- Always plug an air conditioner into a grounded (three-prong) outlet. If an appliance cord plug doesn't fit an outlet, have a qualified electrician replace the outlet.

- If you must use an extension cord to reach a grounded outlet, make certain that you use a cord designed for air conditioners and that it is UL listed, meets OSHA specification, and can handle the power needed by your air conditioner. NOTE: Some manufacturers will not honor warranties if the unit is plugged in using an extension cord.

As with all extension cord use, always inspect before you use! Ensure that the plug's blades and grounding pin are present and do not use extension cords that are cut or damaged. And, never run any extension cord under a carpet!

Replacing a 10-year-old room air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR qualified model saves an average of $25 a year on your electric bill. (www.energystar.gov)

To further reduce your energy expenses during the summer, here are some tips from Underwriters Laboratories (UL):

- Have your air conditioner cleaned and inspected before summer.

- Conduct routine maintenance checks during the summer such as regularly changing or cleaning filters.

- Don't let heat build up and then attempt to cool areas immediately by turning the controls to maximum settings. Start units early and cool areas throughout the day.

- Close blinds and curtains on the west and south sides of your home to block out the sun.

- Turn off all unnecessary lights.

- Wait until late evening to use heat-producing appliances like ovens, dishwashers and clothes dryers.

- Close off unused rooms.