Fire prevention and safety at camp

Camping Magazine, Nov-Dec, 1998 by Ed Schirick

Garages, maintenance shops, and woodworking shops are at high risk for damage by fire because of improper storage of flammables. Flammables, such as paint, shellac, varnish, wood stain, gasoline, kerosene, turpentine, and similar liquids, should be:

* stored in approved, airtight metal containers.

* kept only in needed quantities.

* used in adequately ventilated areas.

* stored away from heat and fire; smoking should not be permitted near flammables.

Only non-sparking tools should be used near flammable liquids. Metal storage lockers for flammable liquids can be purchased fairly reasonably and are well worth the money. If you don't have a metal storage locker for flammable liquids, add one to your shopping list for next summer.

Keep Camp Tidy

Keeping maintenance areas, workshops, kitchen storage areas, and other places in camp neat and clean reduces the risk of fire. Rags soiled with flammable liquids that are left on the floor may ignite through spontaneous combustion under the right circumstances. Boxes, paper, and other combustible material may catch on fire if left too close to pumps, motors, and other electrical and heat producing appliances and equipment.

Recognize Other Fire Hazards

There are other fire hazards, such as a forest fire caused by a lightning strike, campfires, campers with matches, portable cooking stoves, and arson. Can you think of other fire hazards unique to your program or location? What methods and practices can you devise to reduce the hazards or eliminate them? Take some time to consider potential fire hazards. Prepare your list of hazards, propose solutions to reduce them, and add the list to your risk-management plan.

Look for Part II of "Fire Prevention and Safety at Camp" in the next issue. The article will focus on employee fire safety issues, suggestions on how to assign responsibility for reducing fire hazards, and the elements of an Emergency Action Plan.

The National Fire Protection Association is dedicated to mire prevention and safety. Pamphlets mentioned in this article, and others that address mire safety standards, are available for purchase. Call NFPA at 800-344-3555, or visit their Web site:www.nfpa.org.

Ed Schirick is vice president and division manager of Frontier Insurance Group in Rock Hill, New York, where he heads their CampPRO insurance program. He is a chartered property casualty underwriter and a certified insurance counselor. Contact Ed at 800-724-3315 with your risk management inquiries.