Spring fire safety tips Published April 22, 2014 92nd Air Refueling Wing Safety Office FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Spring has sprung and that means lots of grilling, lots of entertaining, and unfortunately, lots of opportunities for residential fires to occur. Spring is also the time to ensure your own safety by changing out your smoke detector batteries. Fairchild AFB Fire and Emergency Services urges everyone to pay particular attention to fire safety during the spring season whether you live in base housing or in a residence off base. During the spring season cooking fires are one of the leading causes of damage to residential structures. Specific causes include: · Ignition of food or other cooking materials · Unattended cooking · Misuse of cooking equipment and unfamiliarity with equipment and safety procedures · Use of alcohol, drugs and medications before and during cooking · Powering a cooking appliance via an extension cord Here are some grilling fire safety guidelines: · Position the grill 15 feet away from the residence and do not place your grill directly next to siding, deck railings, extended eves, or below overhanging branches and leaves. · Do not place your grill near or under utility pole wires that may be coming into your house. · Place the grill a safe distance from any kind of foot traffic. · Keep children and pets away from the grill area by declaring no less than a three-foot zone around the grill. · Make several different types of long-handled grilling tools available to the parties cooking on the grill to ensure plenty of clearance from heat and flames when cooking food. · Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below grill as well as on the grill rack itself, so it cannot be ignited by open flame / heat. · Use grill outdoors with the exception of something such as a George Forman grill that is made to be used indoors. If grills are used indoors, or in any enclosed spaces, such as tents, barbecue grills pose both a fire hazard and the risk of exposing occupants to carbon monoxide. Charcoal: · Be very careful when using charcoal starting fluid and follow the directions on the can and never apply any other kind of additional fluid once the fire has been ignited. · The use of an electronic starter / paper is another method, and pretreated charcoal may also be used. · Place all ashes generated by the charcoal grill into a metal can. Propane: · Before each use, check hoses for signs of wear and tear, and that the connection to the tank is tight. · Remove excess grease buildup from the unit, to prevent flare ups. · Periodically check the inside gas tubes for the buildup of spider webs that can cause blockage, causing gas to backflow into the control valves, where it could potentially ignite. · An orange flame is in an indication that there is an obstruction in the gas tubes that lead to the burners. Flame should be blue in color. · When igniting the grill, make sure the lid or cover is in the open position. · Never leave the unit unattended while cooking, and keep children at a safe distance. · Always shut the tank off after each use. · If the unit catches fire, do not attempt to extinguish it, especially if propane is burning freely. CALL THE FIRE DEPT. Propane will reignite with explosive force. · Proper location and placement of the unit is very important. Keep the unit away from the sides or back of your home, as well as open windows. If fire occurs, it will spread to the building. · Use common sense and read the manufacturer's directions.