East Meadow Fire Department encourages a safe summer with these tips

Summer is in full swing, bringing more outdoor activities such as backyard grilling, enjoying fire pits, swimming, and yard maintenance with chores like mowing and trimming. To enjoy a safe summer, the East Meadow Fire District commissioners remind residents that fires and accidents can occur anytime. They offer the following tips to keep yourself, your family, and your home safe.

For grilling, keep your grill clean by removing grease from the grills and putting it in trays below the grill. Place the grill at least six feet away from the home, deck railings, and under eaves and overhanging tree branches. Keep children and pets a safe distance away from the grilling area. If using charcoal, only use charcoal starter fluid and never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire. Never leave your grill unattended when in use.

When it comes to fire pits, keep backyard recreational fires under three feet in diameter and two feet high. Outdoor fire pits should be confined to a permanent outdoor fire ring, a portable fireplace, or a commercially designed chiminea. Residents are urged to install a screen to prevent burning embers from escaping and potentially causing a fire. Have a garden hose, fire extinguisher, or five-gallon bucket of water nearby while having an outdoor fire.

For swimming pool chemical safety, store pool chemicals in compliance with local or state building and fire codes. Store pool chemicals below 95 degrees and as recommended by the manufacturer. Protect stored pool chemicals from getting wet and from mixing with other substances. Keep pool chemicals away from heat sources and flames, and maintain good housekeeping by keeping the chemical storage area neat and orderly.

Regarding fireworks safety, note that fireworks are illegal in New York. Public fireworks displays produced by professional pyrotechnic companies are the best and safest way to enjoy these dazzling displays. Sparklers may seem harmless but burn at about 2,000 degrees — hot enough to melt some metals. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing, and children have received severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet.

For gasoline storage safety, store gasoline only in approved containers, such as a plastic gas can with a built-in spout. Never use gasoline as a cleaning agent or fuel for kerosene heaters or lamps, and never mix gasoline with kerosene or diesel. Only store gasoline outside the home, in a detached garage or shed. Keep gasoline containers at room temperature and store them at least 50 feet from heat sources, such as a space heater, electrical generator, or furnace. When pouring gasoline into a lawn mower or other gasoline-powered tool, do so slowly and carefully to avoid spillage. Do not attempt to fill an engine that has been running and is hot since gasoline vapors are highly flammable and can ignite easily.

In case of a fire or medical emergency, call the East Meadow Fire Department directly at (516) 542-0576. For more safety tips, visit EastMeadowFD.com and click the “Fire Safety” tab.

The East Meadow Fire Department, which covers East Meadow and parts of Levittown and Salisbury is always looking for new members to join their ranks as firefighters or emergency medical personnel. No experience is necessary, as the fire department provides the required training.

There are numerous benefits are associated with volunteering, including tax breaks, college scholarships, annual health checkups, life insurance, and a service award pension program, all at no cost.

For more information on volunteering with the East Meadow Fire Department, visit the department’s website or call (516) 542-4565.