With summer fun can come fire

    What a winter we have had, but it sure sets us up to enjoy the summertime months that are in progress right now! And that brings me to some other thoughts, ones of fun with a heavy amount of safety thrown in. With summer come many outdoor activities that have a component of fire involved, such as picnics, barbeques, camping, the 4th of July, etc. And often times with those fires, come injuries and major structure fires.     Outside fires in Presque Isle require a fire permit, which can be obtained at the fire department for an annual fee of $10. And burning without a permit can be much more costly. When burning outside, make sure you have your fire contained in a fire place or an area that is free of other debris that might catch and spread your fire. If you can, have a bucket of water, or even a garden hose, in case something unexpected should occur. Be sure you watch your fire until it is completely out and even pour water on it and stir it up and give it a final inspection to ensure it will not be a problem for you later.
    Gas grills can pose some problems too. Check the connection on the LP gas cylinder, the venturi tubes to make sure they are not blocked, and of course, don’t wear loose clothing while cooking. They can easily be ignited when over the top of the grill and not only catch you by surprise, but also on fire. And we shouldn’t use our grills inside a building as it can quickly create carbon monoxide. And using the grills too close to buildings can catch the building on fire.
    There are still many folks utilizing charcoal grills and one of the biggest dangers can be pouring lighter fluid on an already burning bed of charcoal. When the can is squeezed, it discharges the fluid fast onto the fire, and when pressure is released from the fluid can, it can actually draw the fire back towards the can and virtually explode, causing serious burns. And the same applies when disposing of hot coals, in regard to dousing them with plenty of water and stirring them up to ensure that the fire is out. And with any ashes or coal, do not place them in plastic, paper, or wooden containers.
    And as far as fireworks are concerned, we recommend leaving this to the professionals and going to view a public fireworks display; they know how to safely handle them. If you do use them, make sure they are legal, and never light them inside or near dry grass. Keep a bucket of water nearby or a fire extinguisher and know how to operate the extinguisher.
    And sparklers can cause problems as well, with children using them and touching them while they are burning or even after they are out. They remain hot afterwards and should be dipped into a bucket of water once they are fully out.
    Remember, all fireworks except sparklers are illegal in the State of Maine, and you could be summonsed to court and pay a hefty fine if caught with them and/or setting them off.
    We at the Presque Isle Fire Department do not recommend using any fireworks, but knowing some of you will, are giving you these few tips to ensure your safety. And be sure to supervise children at all times around fires or sparklers. If you do have an emergency though, be sure to call 9-1-1, give your name, address, and problem and the appropriate assistance will be sent to your location.
    If we can be of further assistance, answer any questions about fire safety, or the like, don’t hesitate to stop in to the fire department on 43 North Street or call 769-0881 and we’ll do our best to answer them for you.
    This is also a good time to get your woodstove and chimneys cleaned and inspected before the upcoming heating season. Having your furnaces tuned up and cleaned will help in using less of that expensive heating oil that we are all susceptible to around the Northeast region of the country. So until next time, have a great summer and make it a fire-safe one.
    Fireman Fred Parsons can be reached at 769-0881 or e-mail him at fparsons@maine.rr.com