Do you have a smoke alarm in your home? If so, when did you last check the batteries?

Tragically, there is a high human cost for not checking your smoke alarm is working. Nationally, the death rate in domestic fires where there is no working smoke alarm is two times higher than that in homes fitted with a working smoke alarm.

The causes of these fires vary but in the vast majority of cases can be attributed to human error where someone has either made a mistake or forgotten to carry out a simple task. Often these mistakes are caused by misunderstanding the nature of the fire hazards in your home.

Take care in the summer months

We need to be extra careful in the summer. Spells of dryer weather generally lead to a noticeable increase in the number of fires in outdoor areas. Much of the fields and grass across the county is particularly vulnerable. Something as simple as a lighted cigarette thrown from a passing car or a discarded glass bottle can start a fire. And each year St. John parish has several large grass fires, usually caused by such carelessness.

Cigarettes should always be carefully extinguished and litter should be disposed of safely.

The summer months are also a great time for barbecues, which we all like to enjoy. By following some simple precautions you can ensure that yours will be a safe one.

Bottled gas: propane and butane

Wherever they are used, follow these simple rules to ensure safety:

• Make sure the valve is turned off before changing a cylinder

• Change cylinders in open air where possible; otherwise open doors and windows to provide good ventilation

• Do not keep any more cylinders than you need at any one time. Store spare cylinders outside, protected from sunlight or vandalism

• Do not store cylinders under the stairs this is your means of escape from fire if you are upstairs.

• For gas barbecues, when you have finished cooking, turn the cylinder off before the barbecue controls to ensure the residual gas in the pipes is used up

If you suspect a leak:

• Turn off all appliances

• Do not smoke or allow any ignition source near area

• Ventilate the area

• Use soapy water and watch for bubbles

• Do not overtighten leaking joints

If in any doubt consult a qualified gas technician.

Michael Heath is the President of the St. John Parish Professional Fire Fighters. He can be contacted at 504-799-8199.