Maitland City Talk

Last spring we wrote about sprucing up your homes and helping us find you by posting addresses on homes and businesses. We also touched on the annual checking of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

This year let’s speak on two new topics and ways you can assist your firefighters and each other in the community.

Occasionally, we receive phone calls in the Fire Administration office on our non-emergency business lines reporting incidents or emergencies. The callers want to inform us of an issue, problem or emergency but “don’t want to make a fuss.” Depending upon when a person makes the call to the business line, there may be a delay in transmitting the information to our response personnel.

One recent example was when a concerned citizen left a voicemail message on one of our office phones. The citizen was worried about potential smoke issuing from a nearby house. The problem was the voicemail was left on an office phone after 5 p.m. at the end of a workweek. Luckily the citizen phoned back again and reached one of our fire station business phone lines. The crew went to the area to investigate and found a neighbor had a legal recreational fire, which did not pose a threat to anyone.

After reviewing the incident, we thought this was an excellent learning opportunity for those that we protect. We understand a tendency to down play a situation that may or may not be a “full-blown” emergency. However, it is very important for everyone to realize that by calling a business number instead of 911, it may cause a dangerous delay in notifying emergency responders of a significant problem that needs their attention and expertise. Initiating the 911-response system helps first responders document receiving the alarm, the response to the problem and the resolution of the problem. All of which is very important for safety of both our citizens and our firefighters.

We ask you to please not use business lines to report a problem or issue. Always remember, when in doubt – call us out! Dial 911 to initiate the notification of emergency responders in a timely, efficient manner.

Our second spring topic concerns a favorite pastime of many: outdoor barbeques. While we realize here in Florida we can barbeque practically year round, spring seems to get many ready to grill, so let’s talk barbeque safety.

For starters, the fire code states that grills, gas or charcoal, should be ignited and used at least 10 feet away from a dwelling. They are expressly prohibited from being used on apartment or apartment style condominium building balconies. When cooking, keep a garden hose attached to an outdoor working faucet, a fire extinguisher or even a spray bottle of water handy. The first two will assist to extinguish a grill fire if it gets out of hand, the last will “knock down” cooking flare ups.

Prior to using a gas grill after being stored or used for the first time this season, it is best practice to inspect a few things. Are the gas outlets clean or are they a bit clogged with cooked-on food? They may need a good cleaning to aid in proper gas distribution, even heating and even cooking temperatures.

Next, check your hoses and connections to see if anything needs to be replaced due to age or damage. Make a water soap solution and place it in a spray bottle, open the gas cylinder valve slightly to let some gas flow and check all the connections by spraying the soap mixture, if you have a leaky hose or connection you’ll see some bubbles. If the bubbles are at the connection, turn off the cylinder, tighten the connection, and try again. If you still have bubbles, you need to replace the hose; the connections have probably been damaged over the years.

If you have bubbles from the hose at any point, definitely replace the hose. While modern gas grills are very reliable, they still need to be checked to help ensure they work correctly and don’t barbeque something more than just a good piece of meat or fish!

A quick mention about charcoal grills: if you still use a starter fluid for your charcoal; please only use commercial starter fluid, available at retail stores. Do not use any other type of flammable liquid to ignite your charcoal grill; it’s much too dangerous!

If you have any questions or need information on these subjects or others, please contact your Maitland Fire Rescue Department at 407-539-6226. Our family helping yours – whatever it takes.

Reminder: Screen on the Green

Come on out on Saturday, April 4, for “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” at 8 p.m. at the Maitland Middle School Soccer Field.