Volunteer Firefighters See a Rash of Summer Calls

In the span of just a few weeks, Warren firefighters responded to several fires, including two last week.

A propane fire on July 4 at a Round Top Road residence may have made more than a few wonder how safely they were grilling—the firefighters prevented the fire from causing extensive damage, but here are some important tips from Warren Fire Chief Michael LoSapio that may make your summer safer:
  
Keep a fire extinguisher handy when outdoors grilling. Choose the
largest extinguisher you can safely handle.

Position the grill well away from siding, deck railings and out from
under eaves and overhanging branches.

Keep the grill at least 10 feet from your house and never grill in a garage, breezeway, carport, porch, or under a surface that can catch fire.

Keep children and pets far away from grills: declare a three-foot
"safe zone" around the grill.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), gas
and charcoal grills cause an annual average of 1,500 structure fires
and 4,200 outdoor fires in or on residential properties, resulting in
a combined direct property loss of $29.8 million.

If you are using a charcoal grill; only clean it out after the fire
has been completely extinguished into an empty metal pail and add
water to ensure the embers are no longer burning.

Never leave a grill unattended once it is lit.

And some general suggestions offered by Chief LoSapio to keep your home safe inside, too:

Always make sure you have functioning smoke detectors in your
residence and at least 1 carbon monoxide detector;

You should have a smoke detector on every level of the home
(excluding crawl spaces and attics);

Smoke detectors should be located outside every bedroom and at a
maximum distance of 10 feet from the bedroom door;

Smoke detectors should NOT located within three feet of a bathroom,
kitchen or air duct or within dead air space (four inches from a side
wall if on the ceiling / four inches from the ceiling if on a side
wall;

Smoke detector must NOT be more than 12 inches below the ceiling if
mounted on a side wall;

Lastly it's important that smoke detectors are NOT over 10 years old.