Barbecue Season Is In Full Swing: Don’t Go Up In Flames
The joys of outdoor cooking also bring fire and associated risks. Here are some safety reminders for gas and propane barbecues to protect you and your property from harm or damage.
• Never operate a barbecue in an enclosed space, close to a structure, or near combustibles. Have a one metre radius around it free of obstructions.
• Keep your barbecue in tip top shape. Check for hose breakage, valve leaks, and other parts before securing the tank well and turning on the gas.
• When in use, never leave the grill unattended, and when finished turn the tank off before the burners so the remaining gas in the lines can burn off. This can help prevent a flash the next time the BBQ is in use.
• Make sure your fire extinguisher is easily accessible and in good working order.
Additional Tips
• Propane companies use an additive to create an unpleasant odour like rotten eggs to make a propane leak easier to detect, so you can shut off supply immediately, stop using the grill, and clear the area.
• Although the risk of carbon monoxide is low when using a BBQ outdoors, it is not entirely eliminated. Learn to recognize the signs of CO2 poisoning and take appropriate action.
• Store propane tanks in an upright position, in a spot where they are unlikely to be knocked or bumped to prevent any safety risk.
Summer is in full swing & many people are vacationing. Those who are GPS owners may be providing burglars with the technological equivalent of an open window. Here are some savvy tips to follow:
- Program your home address somewhere close to home rather than your actual address.
- Check your mobile phone and GPS for giveaway signs of your home address. Also mobile phone GPS users should check for other hints , such as a calendar that shows you are away.
- If you are able to take your device out of your car, make sure you do so whenever you leave your vehicle.
- Wipe away “sucker marks” on the windshield that are an obvious clue you have a GPS and hide away any cables.
- Never leave keys in your car – even hidden away in the glove box. Thieves know this is a common practice.
- Likewise don’t hide keys around your property. Leave them with a friendly neighbour instead.
W.H. Williamson & Co. Limited
