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Sometimes during landscaping or yard clearing you end up with a large pile of branches, leaves, and other flammable debris. Many people choose to burn these piles, as it provides a relatively easy and efficient way of removing them, though this method also carries various risks with it. These tips will help you execute your residential or agricultural burning as safely as possible, and within the requirements of the law as well!
As Spring continues to bring us good weather and Summer is on the horizon, many people are heading out to bodies of water for a chance to swim again! Water sports and activities can be a ton of fun, but it’s important to remember that they can also be very dangerous, and often for reasons we wouldn’t even consider. One big one around this time of year is temperature.
While the air around us is warming up and becoming more comfortable, the water below can still be incredibly cold. In face, even water that doesn’t feel very cold can be dangerous, as once you submerge you realize how drastic the temperature difference is! Even water as high as 70 degrees Fahrenheit can be dangerous, as the chill you get when submerging can cause cold shock and affect your breathing. The colder a body of water gets from there, the more dangerous it is.
When you’re considering swimming in a body of water, always check the temperature before getting in. If you have a way to accurately check the temperature, do that focused at least a couple of feet down and assess whether or not it’s safe to jump in. If you don’t have a way to read the temperature of the water, then carefully gauge the temperature by partially submerging your hand or foot into the water. If it feels comfortable, then you can proceed with putting your arm in up past your elbow or your leg up past your knee to get a more accurate idea of the water temperature. If at any point you find the water chilling, it’s best not to jump in! If after carefully assessing the temperature you determine it’s suitable for swimming, start shallow if at all possible and ease your way into the water. It’s better to be close to shore or boats in case an emergency occurs, such as sudden difficulty breathing or reduced movement.
In most cases, you’ll know if the water is too cold to swim in simply by testing it yourself, but it’s better to always be cautious. It’s better to not swim at all if it means nobody gets hurt!
With the wonderful Spring weather we’ve been having (in between the rain, that is!) many people are starting to fire up their grills for the first time this year. Barbecues and outdoor parties are fun ways to interact with friends and family while soaking in the sun and fresh air. There are, however, some safety risks when operating a grill that sometimes are ignored and can cause serious injury or increase the risk of property fires. These grill safety tips can help you reduce the risk of fire and injury so your parties can stay fun and safe!
If your grill is gas powered, make sure to only turn the gas on while cooking and that you turn it off immediately after you’re done. Even grills with adjustment knobs on them can (and often do) slowly leak gas, which not only causes you to spend more money replacing the gas tank more frequently, but also increases the risk of fire and injury. Leaking gas can flare up with the slightest spark, so always make sure to shut the gas off at the tank and keep it away from sources of fire.
When grilling, always make sure you do it outside and a safe distance away from any structures. Houses, sheds, porches, etc can quickly catch fire if the grill has an issue, and simply staying 10 or more feet away from these structures significantly reduces the risk of a fire. Even if you store your grill right up on your porch or near the house, pull it out when using it for the best safety.
This may not seem like a safety tip, but a dirty grill can definitely contribute to a higher risk of fire. Extremely dirty grills can have residue and material that, once exposed to enough flame, can catch on fire and be difficult to put out. Dirty grills can also cause clogs and flow issues for the fuel or gas, which can lead to other issues, and in the case of gas can lead to a buildup that can rapidly ignite once released.
Grills, obviously, get very hot while operating. Children and pets can unknowingly come into contact with the hot grill, causing severe burns. In addition, children and pets can sometimes knock or pull a grill over, which can cause serious injuries to them and anyone else nearby, as well as potentially starting a fire. For their safety and yours, keep children and pets away from the grill as much as possible.
If your grill starts to flare up uncontrollably, you have to step away for a bit, or you notice a safety issue, don’t be afraid to shut the grill down for a bit. Trying to salvage the food when the cooktop is on fire only increases the risk of injury and structure fires, so if things get out of hand, shut off the gas at the tank, put out the charcoal, or unplug the grill if it’s not gas or charcoal powered. You can always cook more food, you can’t un-burn someone’s arm or home.
Grilling is a great way to get a new style of food during the warmer seasons, and we love it, too! Just stay safe while cooking out there, trust us, grill fires aren’t fun.
Engineer inspection Fire extinguisher and fire hose.
Fire extinguishers are essential pieces of safety equipment, and having one (or more!) around can greatly reduce your risk of a house fire. However, fire extinguishers can expire, and many people forget to check their extinguishers regularly to make sure they’re still functional and not expired. It’s a good idea to stay up on this, and there’s no easier time to check than while doing your Spring cleaning!
If you find your fire extinguisher is expired and does need replaced, we suggest getting a new one as soon as possible. You should also make sure the type of fire extinguisher you have is proper for the potential types of fire you may experience, as different types of fire extinguishers work best on different types of fires. You can follow this hand guide to see what type you should get!
There are 5 primary types of fire extinguishers, each designed to put out different kinds of fires.
For use with ordinary materials like cloth, wood and paper.
Often found in homes and businesses
For use with combustible and flammable liquids like grease, gasoline, oil and oil-based paints.
Often found in homes and businesses
For use with combustible and flammable liquids like grease, gasoline, oil and oil-based paints.
Often found in homes and businesses
For use with flammable metals.
Often found in factories
For use with vegetable oils, animal oils and fats in cooking appliances.
Often found in commercial kitchens (restaurants, cafeterias, catering businesses)
There are also multipurpose fire extinguishers that might be labeled “B-C” or “A-B-C” that can be used on most types of home fires. Most home improvement stores carry multipurpose fire extinguishers that cover Class A through Class C.
Now that Spring is in full swing (and Summer is visible on the distant horizon), many people may be planning or starting some pretty big projects outside, such as landscaping, construction, and more. While these projects can be exciting, there is one major step that you shouldn’t overlook: Calling Before You Dig!
The Washington State Dig Law requires individuals that are planning to dig for projects to call 811 or visit the Dig Safe WA website to get a free utility survey done to ensure you don’t hit any utility lines, such as internet, sewer, water, etc. while digging. Even for small projects, you should always call before you dig. Hitting a utility line can have moderate to severe risks depending on the utility, ranging from taking out internet for a few houses to hitting a gas line and causing a major safety hazard.
This rule especially applies to excavators and large projects, such as construction that requires digging, though everyone should make use of this free resource. Homeowners simply planting flowers or doing other jobs requiring less than 12 inches of digging are not required to call or submit a ticket, though any project larger than that must call by law. Given that the service is free and the utility companies conduct the survey themselves, there is no downside to calling or submitting a ticket online to ensure your safety!
A ticket must be submit either over the phone or online between 2 and 10 days before the expected digging date, weekends and holidays excluded. Submitting a ticket is quick and easy!
You can learn more about the Washington State Dig Law by clicking HERE!
Or click HERE to visit the Dig Safe WA Website and learn more about the process or submit a ticket!
People often like to go hang out by the river during Spring break, and sometimes that includes activities in or floating on the water. While this can be fun, it can also be incredibly dangerous, regardless of how safe you are. Following these safety tips can help reduce your risk of injury, and choosing a safe area for your activities can have a major impact on the danger.
Even if you’re a strong swimmer, you should always wear a floatation device while in the river. River currents can quickly sweep people off their feet, and if the river has any nearby deep spots, you can suddenly be pulled underwater or carried downstream. A floatation device helps keep your head above the water and can prevent you from drowning.
Individuals under the effects of alcohol and drugs can have their awareness and decision-making abilities affected, causing a higher chance of injuries. If someone has been drinking or using drugs, they may decide to move further into the water than is safe, or unknowingly enter a hazardous situation.
Children can very easily be swept away by a river, and scarily many people don’t even notice right away when it happens. The best ways to ensure the safety of your children are to keep them close and out of the water, especially deep water. Never let them out of your sight, and make sure they are always wearing floatation devices. It is also a good idea to give everyone, including kids, devices like whistles to blow if they end up in danger, as the sound of the whistle is louder and more recognizable over the sound of the river.
Stay safe this Spring break, and have fun!
SE Thurston Fire Authority and East Olympia Fire District #6 are hiring 2-3 positions between Entry-Level and Lateral Firefighters in 2024. If you are interested in testing and applying for one of these positions, please visit our careers page HERE or find the testing and application details at www.publicsafetyteseting.com
Thank you for your interest in serving your community!
Spring is here! Today marks the turning of the seasons, and with it we’re seeing changes in weather and temperature. As such, many people may be looking for ways to help cool their homes and buildings, and a common solution is with portable or window mounted air conditioners. These can help control the temperature of your home quite well, though some units pose often unseen dangers if not installed or utilized correctly. Here are 5 Safety Tips when it comes to installing and using a portable or window mounted air conditioning unit:
Air conditioners can pull a lot of power, and extension cords are a common point of failure in these high-power circuits. Extension cords that are not meant for heavy duty draw can heat up unexpectedly, sometimes melting the insulation and exposing the wires inside, and in extreme cases catching the surrounding area on fire. Heavier duty cords can be safer, but it is still wise to avoid using extension cords all together when powering your air conditioner. Plug the unit directly into the wall, if at all possible, to best avoid unnecessary fire risk.
Be cautious when deciding where to place your air conditioning unit. Portable air conditioners, such as ones that can roll around or be set on various surfaces, can pose tripping hazards if their cords are stretched along walkways. In business settings especially, this can be dangerous, not only due to the increased risk of a person falling and getting injured, but also because tripping over a cord can damage the outlet it is plugged into, which may create a fire risk. In addition, many of these portable units require a ventilation tube to be run to a window, and not doing so not only negates the effectiveness of the air conditioner, but can also cause pollutants and hot air to be expelled out of the unit. The exhaust from these units can cause issues for those with allergies or breathing difficulties, so making sure the exhaust tube is setup properly is essential.
If you’re using a window mounted air conditioner, take steps to ensure it doesn’t fall from the window it’s mounted in. Even on first story windows a falling air conditioner can be dangerous, but an air conditioner falling from higher levels can be lethal. Many apartments have rules against using window mounted air conditioners on non-ground floors because of this. Regardless of the height your air conditioner is mounted at, it is best to secure it with either a simple bracket or supporting shelf outside the window, and never open the window that the air conditioner is in unless you intend to remove it.
Both window mounted and portable air conditioners can increase the risk of burglary in your home, as you have a fairly-permanent entrance into your home while they are installed. Portable units often let you keep the screen of your window in place, though usually still require the window to be open. In these cases, it is best to remove the vent tube from your window and close it when you are leaving your home, and install it again when you return. If this isn’t an option, try to vent your air conditioner out of a hard-to-reach window, ideally one that is elevated or has vegetation outsite of it.
In the case of window mounted units, the security risk is higher, as they almost always require the screen to be removed and the window permanently open. In these cases, it is best to try and secure the window so that it can’t be opened further from the outside. One good way to do this is to measure the gap from the top or side of the sliding part of the window (depending on if it’s a vertically or horizontally opening window) to the inside of the window frame on the opposite side while the air conditioner is in place. Then, cut a piece of wood (such as a 2×4) to this length and prop it in between the sliding portion of the window and the frame while installing the air conditioner. This prevents the window from being opened further while the bar is in place, and also reduces the risk of the window sliding open passively and dropping the air conditioner. You can also purchase security bars for this purpose online, just search for “window air conditioner security bar”.
While air conditioners pose less fire risk than heating units, they still have the chance to cause electrical hazards if pulling too much power or if the electrical circuit is compromised. Leaving your air conditioner running when leaving the home risks a fire starting while you’re away, so if at all possible, turn off all air conditioners prior to leaving the house. In addition, running high-power consuming air conditioners while sleeping (especially multiple off of the same power circuit) can cause a fire that you may not notice, which can because dangerous very quickly. Check that your smoke detectors are working and placed properly in case a fire does start.
We officially leave winter behind and enter spring next Tuesday, the 19th! With this change in season also often comes changes in weather and activities, and as such there are a few things you should check before diving into your spring endeavors! Add these simple tasks to your spring cleaning list and enjoy the new season!
