Having a safe Memorial Day weekend

With Memorial Day weekend upon us, many residents in the area will be firing up their grill. Before you hit the backyard, the Elmont Fire Department wants to remind you to make safety a top priority when it comes to outdoor cooking. The Department offers some important lifesaving tips to the community.

“While summer is synonymous with good times, safety must come first,” Elmont Fire District Commissioner Joseph Balletta. “Barbecuing can be dangerous, even deadly, if not done carefully.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), from 2004 to 2008, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 7,700 home fires involving grills, hibachis or barbecues per year, including an average of 3,200 structure fires and 4,500 outside fires. These 7,700 fires caused an annual average of 13 civilian deaths (to the nearest 10), 120 civilian injuries and $70 million in direct property damage.

The NFPA also says 17,700 patients went to emergency rooms because of injuries involving grills in 2009. Roughly half (9,400) of the injuries were thermal burns.

“Placing combustibles too close to heat is the leading cause for charcoal grill home fires,” said Elmont Chief of Department Michael Capoziello. “Make sure the grill is at least 10 feet away from your house, garage or trees. And, of course, keep on an eye on children and make sure they are kept far away from the grill.”

The Elmont Fire Department offers these additional safety tips when using the grill:

· Don't wear loose clothing, particularly hanging sleeves, which might catch fire.

· Use long-handled barbecue tools and flame-resistant mitts.

· Never use any flammable liquid other than a barbecue starter fluid to start or reactivate a fire.

· Never pour or squirt starter fluid onto an open flame. The flame can easily flashback along the fluid's path to the container in your hands.

· Keep alcoholic beverages away from the grill; they are flammable.

· Never leave the grill unattended.

· Never attempt to extinguish a grease fire with water. It will only cause the flames to flare up. Use an approved portable fire extinguisher.

· If there is any type of fire that threatens your personal safety or endangers property, call the Elmont Fire Department at 516-742-3300.

The Elmont Fire Department serves more than 47,000 residents in a 5.73 square mile coverage area.