Safety corner: wintertime is barbeque time

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kendall Walters
  • 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  A Louisiana winter has temperatures that are warmer than most areas of the United States; this warmer weather brings with it the opportunity to barbeque.

Winter is not the time to be relaxed on fire safety. With the holidays just around the corner it is the time of year to be more vigilant.

Barbeques are a great way for families and friends to hang out and have a good time, sharing laughs, although the temperature is cooler than hot summers, a fire can still result from improper barbeque safety.

Barbequing with charcoal, turkey fryers and propane gas grills all have similar safety instructions when it comes to fire safety. A list of rules specific to Barksdale can be found in the Barksdale Air Force Base Instruction 32-2001.

Some basic rules to follow are:
  • Keep grills, smokers and gas fryers located at a minimum of 15 feet from buildings when in use.
  • Do not use any type of barbeque equipment indoors or under carports. The heat can be trapped and catch the roof of the structure on fire.
  • Do not store propane bottles inside any facility on base.
  • Do not leave the grill unattended.
The number one cause of fires involving barbeques is the improper disposal of charcoal after cooking is complete. Completely saturate hot coals with water before disposing of them in an approved metal container. Do not throw away lighter fluid in the same container as the coals as a hot coal may ignite the fluid.

It is the little things that can have a big payoff. Doing it the right way reduces the causes of many fires. For any holiday fire-related questions, call the fire prevention office at 456-2573. Have a safe and happy holiday season.