ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. -- Flowers are blooming, and the birds are singing. The sun is setting later as the sound of children playing and lawnmowers whirring resonate through neighborhoods. Winter is over. Spring has sprung.
The longer days and pleasant weather mean more people are going to be spending more time outside over the coming months.
Members of the Arnold Air Force Base Fire and Emergency Services (FES) team want folks to get out and enjoy the outdoors but urge them to do so with fire safety in mind.
“With the current situation and the craziness of manning due to COVID-19, everybody is needed on this base. Losing one person can have extreme consequences to the mission,” said Arnold FES Fire Prevention Officer Christian Lyle. “As long as everybody is safe, we can all make sure that we’re getting that mission accomplished to support the warfighter.”
Grilling and camping are two activities sure to draw more people outside with the season change. While both are fun-filled ways to bring families and friends together, neither is without its share of dangers. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), July is the peak month for grill fires. Roughly half of the injuries involving grills are thermal burns.
“I’ve seen it where people have tried to grill in the garage, and that didn’t turn out well for them,” Lyle said.
When in use, grills should be placed at least 15 feet from structures, including deck railings. Grills should be moved out from under eaves, awnings and overhanging branches, and grillers should keep some type of extinguishing agent nearby.
Charcoal should be properly disposed of after grilling. Lyle said it should never be dumped in the trash while hot. Charcoal should be allowed to completely cool or dumped in a bucket of water before disposal. It is suggested that charcoal be disposed of in a metal container.
NFPA tips specific to charcoal grills include:
- Considering alternatives to readying charcoal for use. Charcoal chimney starters allow grillers to start the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel. There are also electric charcoal starters that do not use fire. The use of an extension cord is advised when using these electric starters outdoors.
- Using only charcoal starter fluid if a starter fluid must be used. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire.
- Keeping charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.
Lyle said now is the ideal time to inspect gas grills to make sure fittings are tight, hoses aren’t dry rotted, that gas tanks are properly serviced, and that knobs and the push ignitor are working properly.
Groups at Arnold may also look to take advantage of the more pleasant conditions this time of year by holding employee cookouts. If an open flame is involved, event planners must contact the Arnold FES Fire Prevention Office to obtain an open flame permit.
“That’s just us coming to their location, making sure it’s safe, making sure that they have a fire extinguisher, making sure that it’s safe around the area and not too close to the facility, that no flammables or combustibles are in the area,” Lyle said.
Lyle added those cooking outdoors should pay close attention to the weather as conditions can change quickly.
“We’ve had some pretty crazy weather here of late,” Lyle said. “You may start out grilling and then, all of the sudden, you get some bad storms coming in 15 or 20 minutes later. If you’re charcoal grilling, it could very well knock your charcoal over and start a fire that way. That’s why you always want to pay attention to it. It’s very similar to unattended cooking. You never want to leave a grill alone. You always want to have some type of adult supervision around the grill just for those situations.”
In addition to these tips, the NFPA advises:
- Keeping children and pets at least 3 feet away from the grill area.
- Keeping your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
- Always making sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.
When using a propane grill for the first time each year, the gas tank hose should be checked for leaks. This can be done by applying a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles.
If your grill has a gas leak, detected either by smell or the soap test, and there is no flame, turn off both 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, contact the fire department. If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and contact the fire department. Do not move the grill. If the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 5 minutes before relighting it.
Camping is another popular recreation that involves folks gathering around an open flame. Caution is urged to prevent campfire accidents which, according to the NFPA, send thousands of people to emergency rooms with burn injuries every year.
Lyle said before starting a campfire, campers should check with the local fire department or campsite office to see if fire is permitted. He added fires can only be started in approved areas, such as fire rings or fire pits.
Children should be kept away from campfires. Children and pets should not be allowed to play or stand too close to the fire. There should always be adult supervision around a campfire.
As with grilling, those who choose to enjoy time around a campfire should keep some type of extinguishing agent nearby. This can include a hose, bucket of water, or shovel and dirt or sand to put out a fire. Lyle suggests picking up an ABC fire extinguisher before departing on a camping trip. He said these are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased from various locations, including hardware stores.
“That’s an investment that will pay dividends if you ever have to use it,” Lyle said.
Campers should make sure that a campfire is completely out before leaving the site.
Lyle added campers should also ensure they have the ability to reach emergency services, whether through cell phone or via landline.
In addition to these tips, the NFPA advises that:
- Campfires, if permitted, be started at least 25 feet from any structure and anything that can burn.
- Dry leaves and sticks, overhanging low branches and shrubs be cleared away before the campfire is started.
- Burning should be avoided on windy, dry days. It is easier for open burning to spread out of control when it is windy and dry.
- A campfire be attended to at all times. A campfire left alone for only a few minutes can grow into a damaging fire.
- Campfires be kept small, making them easier to control.
- Gasoline or other flammable or combustible liquids should never be used.
- Should your clothes catch fire, stop, drop and roll. Stop, drop to the ground and cover your face with your hands. Roll over and over or back and forth until the fire is out.
- Burns be treated right away. Cool the burn with cool water for 3 to 5 minutes. Cover it with a clean, dry cloth. Seek medical help if needed.
If roasting marshmallows over a campfire, help young children. Never shake a roasting marshmallow. A heated metal skewer can cause burns.
“We just want everybody to be fire safe so people can enjoy the weather but, at the same time, make sure that we’re able to do it safely and everyone can come back to work,” Lyle said.
For more information, call the Arnold FES Fire Inspection Office at 931-454-5569 or 931-454-5306.