Burn Awareness Week Begins Sunday In Escambia County

February 3, 2008

February 3-9 is Burn Awareness Week in Escambia County. This year’s campaign theme is “Preventing Gasoline Burns.” Escambia County Fire Rescue would like remind all Escambia County residents that most gasoline injuries are avoidable through proper use and storage.

Please remember the following tips when using, handling, and storing gasoline:

DOs

• Use gasoline only to fill the gasoline tank of a car, motorcycle, lawn mower, etc.
• Watch for any source of heat that can ignite gasoline vapors such as sparks or flames, even if it is located many feet away.
• Handle gasoline responsibly at all time and for kids, only under adult supervision.
• Add gasoline only after an engine has completely cooled, an engine that is still warm can ignite gasoline vapors.
• Store gasoline only in an approved gasoline container
• Store gasoline in a well-ventilated outside storage area that is not attached to your home, such as a shed or garage, preferably in a locked cabinet. Be sure there are not ignition sources nearby.
• Make sure gasoline containers are out reach of children
• Keep only the minimum amount of gasoline required (generally, no more than a gallon).

DON’Ts

• Don’t use gasoline anywhere near a barbeque grill.
• Don’t use gasoline to light a barbeque grill or to start or accelerate any kind of fire.
• Don’t use gasoline as a cleaning fluid or solvent.
• Don’t experiment with gasoline in any way. A few minutes of experimentation could result in a lifetime of painful surgeries, disfiguring scars, or even death.
• Don’t sniff or huff gasoline; it can cause brain damage or death.
• Don’t allow children to touch gasoline or a gasoline container, even under supervision
• Don’t handle gasoline near a flame source, such as matches, lighters and pilot lights on stoves and water heaters.
• Don’t use gasoline indoors.
• Don’t siphon gasoline by mouth, as it is harmful or fatal if swallowed.
• Don’t induce vomiting if gasoline is swallowed. Instead seek medical attention.
• Don’t store gasoline in a glass jar, milk jug or any other non-approved container.
• Don’t store gasoline near a source of heat or sparks, such as a hot water heater, furnace, clothes dryer or any appliance that uses a pilot light.
• Don’t keep gasoline anywhere inside a home or vehicle.

Escambia County Fire Rescue encourages everyone to follow these safety tips. For additional information, please visit the following website: www.burnawarenessweek.org.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News