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Sizzling summer safety tips from CSA International
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| Copyright: | PR Newswire | | Source: | PR Newswire | | Wordcount: | 1258 |
CLEVELAND, OH, May 13 /PRNewswire/ - Warm weather has finally arrived,
which means many Americans are gearing up for outdoor activities, like
barbecuing, home and garden work and camping and boating.
While having fun in the sun, CSA International, a leading certification
and testing organization, offers up some sizzling summer tips to remind
everyone to be proactive with safety and to enjoy a happy and healthy summer
season.
CSA INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SAFETY TIPS ------------------------------------
CSA International would like to help everyone practice safety this spring
and summer by providing some simple tips to follow.
I. YARD WORK AND RENOVATIONS: Whether you are pruning the bushes, mowing the lawn or building a backyard deck, it is important to keep the following safety tips in mind: - Safety 101 - The mark's the spot. Always ensure your products such as electric lawn mowers, barbecues, power tools, ladders, decorative lights, extension cords and safety apparel carry the mark of an approved certification agency such as CSA International, indicating that they have been tested to the applicable, recognized standard. - Let the manual guide you. Read the manufacturer's operating instructions and use products or appliances only as intended. - Guard yourself with gear. Protect yourself by wearing certified protective eye and footwear. Hearing protection should be worn when operating loud machinery, vehicles or tools. - Lawn Mowers - Look before you leap. Before mowing, take the time to walk the yard to remove objects that may cause an obstruction or be tossed by the rotating blades. - Avoid disaster, power down. Never clear an obstruction on a running mower! If the mower is electric, turn off the power and unplug the machine. If it is gas, turn off the power and make sure the engine is not running and that all safety features have been activated. - 12 is the limit: Children under 12 years of age should never operate a power lawn mower. - Portable Power Tools - The once over. Inspect all power tools and cords before each use. Never use a power tool that has a cracked casing, loose parts or frayed cords. Ensure all safety guards are in place and in proper working order. - Power check. Make sure the tool is turned off before it is plugged in or unplugged. Always turn off and unplug the tool before changing parts such as drill bits or cutting blades. - Three-pronged solution. Use only electric power tools that have either a three-prong plug or double insulation with a heavy enough gauge - or wire size - to handle the electricity load. Use an outlet with a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter to protect against electric shock. - Extension Cords - Cord discord. Check extension cords for wear and damage before use. Discard any cords that are frayed or have damaged insulation. - One moment in time. Use an extension cord only as a temporary connection. - A single connection. Never connect more than one extension cord together; instead, use a single cord that is long enough to reach from the outlet to an appliance or tool without stretching. - Don't smother. Never run an electrical cord through a doorway or under a carpet. If a cord becomes hot when plugged in, discontinue use immediately and replace with a heavier gauge cord. - Whether to weather. When working outside, only use cords clearly labelled for outdoor use. II. CAMPING AND BOATING: Leaving the city behind for a wilderness adventure plays a large part in summertime fun. Whether you are at a camp site, cabin or on the lake, remember the following tips for a safe summer excursion. - Camping Stoves and Lanterns - Don't play with fire. Fuel-burning camping equipment such as stoves, lanterns and outdoor cookers should only be lit outdoors and at least 10 feet from tents, combustible materials and vehicles. Never light a stove or lantern indoors or in a tent or vehicle! Before use, carefully inspect parts for leaks, blockages or damage. - Vent the tent. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, fuel- burning equipment should only be used in well-ventilated areas. - Hot is not cool. Keep loose, flammable clothing away from open flames and carefully monitor children and pets around stoves and lanterns. Before packing up equipment, make sure it is completely turned off and cool to the touch. - Boats and Cabins - Boat smarts. Always wear a personal flotation device and never consume alcohol or intoxicants while operating a vehicle. - Be alarmed. Ensure that certified carbon monoxide and smoke alarms are tested and properly installed outside all sleeping areas of your cabin or boat. - Pest check. When opening your cabin for the season, carefully inspect all appliances for damage from rodents or insects. - Be prepared. Ensure boats and cottages are equipped with proper safety equipment in the event of an emergency, including first aid kits and fire extinguishers. III.OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING - Gas Grills and Barbecues - Make a clean start. Before firing up the barbecue for the first time, carefully inspect burners and burner tubes for blockages due to dirt, grease, insects or rust build-up. Clean or replace any blocked parts or have a certified technician make repairs. - Blowing bubbles. Check for cracked, brittle or leaking hoses. To check for leaks, apply a 50/50 solution of soap and water to hoses and fittings and turn on the main gas or propane valve while leaving burners off. Any leaks will show up as bubbles. Replace any damaged hoses or fittings. - Old gas? Take a pass. Propane cylinders must be inspected and requalified a minimum of every 12 years in the U.S. A date stamp on the cylinder indicates when it was last qualified. Do not use a rusty or damaged cylinder. If in doubt, have your tank replaced. - Breathing fire. Keep grills and barbecues away from combustible materials such as fences, trees, buildings, awnings and carports. Never use a barbecue in a garage! - Buy the Certification Star. When purchasing or installing a gas barbecue, make sure that it carries the mark of an approved certification agency such as the CSA International certification star indicating that it meets applicable national standards. - Decorative Lighting - Product placement. When installing decorative lighting on patios or along walkways, inspect your lighting to make sure that it is certified and marked for use in an outdoor location. - Power down. Turn off the electricity supply before working with outdoor lighting and unplug lights when possible. - Is the light alright? Carefully inspect lights and lamps to make sure there are no broken or cracked sockets or housings and that there are no bare or frayed wires. - Peak timing. Use a timer to turn lights on and off. Turn lights off during peak summer hours to avoid strain on local electricity resources.
For more everyday consumer tips and safety advice, please visit
www.csasafetytips.com
About CSA International
CSA International is a provider of product testing and certification
services for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas and a variety of other
products. Recognized in the U.S., Canada and around the world, CSA
International certification marks appear on billions of products worldwide.
CSA International is a division of CSA Group, which also includes CSA, a
leading solutions based standards organization, providing standards
development, application products, training and advisory services; and OnSpeX,
a provider of consumer product evaluation, inspection and advisory services
for retailers and manufacturers. For more information, visit
www.csa-international.org
SOURCE CSA International
CONTACT: Anthony Toderian, Senior Media Relations Officer, CSA Group, T: (416) 747-2620, E: anthony.toderian@csagroup.org
This is a news service of Thomson Business Intelligence Service ©2006. This content is for your personal use only, subject to Terms and Conditions. No redistribution allowed.
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