By Deputy Chief Lawrie Skolrood
Think, Plan, Act: three simple words that, when followed in that order, are huge when it comes to keeping a person out of all kinds of trouble. In fact, jumping right into the action before considering the first two steps is probably the number one factor that gets people into problems concerning their personal safety. I don’t know how many times I have heard, “I didn’t think it would do that!” or, “I didn’t plan on having this happen!” No matter how busy we think we are, we need to slow down and think about what it is we are doing.
The lack of enough time seems to be the most common defence we rely on when it comes to taking those extra few seconds to Think, Plan, Act. How often have you heard “I was in a hurry” or “I had other things on my mind”? Far too often, I suspect—especially when comes to one’s personal safety.
Unfortunately, all it takes is a few short moments of time to change the rest of your life—and believe me: when something bad is happening, the amount of time you have to Think, Plan, Act becomes extremely small. Take a page out of the firefighters’ fire ground playbook and think about the safety concerns that are involved in your plans. This can have a significant impact on securing your personal safety. Once you make a mental note to slow down, you are able to plan a sound strategy that will keep you safe while taking part in any activity.
For example, with all this warm weather it hard to resist the opportunity to get out the old barbecue that has been carefully stored away for the winter and cook a batch of hot dogs or hamburgers for the family. But before firing the barbeque up, stop and think about whether it has survived the winter and that it is good working order. Make a plan insuring that any barbequing you do is not only enjoyable but also safe.
Your plan needs to include checking for leaks and making sure the burners and tubes connected to the burners are rust and debris-free. Check that the burner throat, where the propane enters the burner, is free of dust or cobwebs. Keep the lid open when lighting your barbeque to avoid gas build up and have the proper products for lighting the barbeque safely if you are using briquettes.
It is also important to make sure that the area in which you are going to use the barbeque is safely away from any flammable or combustible materials. Remember vinyl siding will melt very easily with exposure to a surprisingly small amount of heat. Focus on the task at hand and never leave your cooking unsupervised. Finally, plan to have the proper means of extinguishing a fire nearby if in fact things happen to go wrong.
Remember: Never throw water on a grease fire. Have a lid available to cover and smother the flame or a fire extinguisher that can be used on flammable liquid.
Warm weather also brings out the gardeners and provides an opportunity for spring cleaning around the house. It is a perfect time to think about what needs to be done to prevent accidents and fires throughout our not-too-far-off summer and its inevitable hot weather.
Plan on simple things you can and need to do to make your home Firesmart and be prepared if we have a summer threatened by wildfire. This requires taking some time to Think, Plan, Act as all these activities generally require sharp tools and machinery, as well as the storage and use of flammable and combustible fuels. Plan on safely operating the equipment you will be using and make sure that you securely store lubricants and fuels away from any heat sources, fertilizers and garden chemicals. Do not smoke when fuelling machinery and dispose of smoking materials properly—not in potting soil of flower pots or planters.
We live in a beautiful community that can be much safer by all of us slowing down and taking the time to insure we do things properly and safely. Vernon Fire Rescue Services encourages you to think safety when it comes to your life and all those close you. Make a big difference to your family and your community. Don’t bet on the idea that it will never happen to you; instead, be that person who takes the time to make sure it doesn’t. Remember to Think, Plan, Act.