July 4th BBQ Safety

It’s July 4th and you are planning that big outdoor BBQ with family and friends.

Thousands are injured annually during this innocent practice. Here are some tips to help you have a safe and enjoyable 4th:

Handle propane with care. It is extremely flammable.

Make sure the tank and connections are not damaged
Do not ignite the grill with the lid closed.  A build up of propane can cause an explosion|
Turn the gas off at the source before turning off the control.  This will clear the lines of  residual gas.

Charcoal grilling produces carbon monoxide, so make sure you are in a well-ventilated area when using it.

Only use approved BBQ starter fluid, not gasoline, which has been done.
Make sure you don’t get any fluid on your clothes.
Let the fluid get absorbed by the coals before you light them.  This will avoid lighting a concentration of vapors.
Put ashes in a tightly concealed container with water and wait until they are completely cool before disposing of them.
You might use a charcoal chimney starter to get the coals ignited.   It is faster and you won’t taste the started fluid.

Keep the grill and lighter away from kids.
Allow the grill to cool after use.
Keep a hose or a fire extinguisher handy just in case.
Don’t wear loose fitting clothes when grilling.

Have fun and keep safe!

City to Stop Repairing Sidewalks

The burden will then fall on homeowners and with lawsuits totaling anywhere from $3 to $5 million a year in defense of trips and falls, homeowners who do not take care of these hazards after a warning could also be liable.

Insurance companies could refuse to insure homes with dangerous sidewalks.  This is not something that has been given fair hearing and a lot of people are not going to be happy.

Recommendations have been made to wait a year before warnings are issued, develop a proper system for inspection and issuing of notices and provide a list of contractors who can do the work.  Also if a home is in escrow and the seller has not done the repairs, the city would be notified so that this can be a part of closing requirements.

Another option on the table is for the city to borrow from a new bond to be paid for by the owners through property taxes. Having the property owner pay for repairs is not a new concept.  Until the 1970s the City would inspect the sidewalks and cite the owners to make repairs.  It these were not done, the City would make the repairs and bill the property owner.

Federal funds were made available and, until 1978 when the funds ran out, the City would repair root damage from trees on the sidewalks.  In 2005 a shared-cost program was launched whereby residents could pay half the cost and move to the front of the line.

The irony of all this is, try and call the City to get a tree removed.  You can’t…..