Submitted by Armen Hareyan on Jul 5th, 2007
Outdoor Injury Prevention
An increase in activity and guests can also mean an increase in summer accidents and outdoor injuries.
Summer is the season for families to relax and enjoy traditional pastimes such as barbecues, pool parties and backyard gatherings.
"Children are attracted to fire, and summer brings an increase in burn injuries from outdoor grills," said Jeanne Bietz of the Nebraska Health and Human Service System's Safe Kids Program. "Barbecue grills are hazardous because they are low to the ground and within children's reach."
Nebraska Safe Kids recommends these precautions for activities in the back yard:
* Designate the grilling area a "Kid Free Zone" for the duration of the barbecue.
* Keep grills at least 3 feet away from other objects, including the house and any shrubs or bushes.
* Use only starter fluid made for barbecue grills when starting a fire in a charcoal grill; do not add liquid fuel to re-ignite a dwindling fire.
* Before using a gas grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line.
* Check for gas leaks, following the manufacturer's instructions, if you smell gas or when you reconnect the grill to the propane tank. NEVER use a match to check for leaks. If you detect a leak, immediately turn off the gas and don't attempt to light the grill again until the leak is fixed.
* Keep children and pets away from the grill area until it is completely cool.
Source:
Nebraska Department Of Health 