Summer Fire Safety

We use hazardous materials everyday in our homes.  Drain cleaners, bleaches, pesticides, cleaning chemicals, pool chemicals, paints and thinners, gasoline, propane, just to name a few.  Make sure you are storing these chemicals safely.

A few tips:

1. Discard leaking or corroded containers

2. Throw out materials that have no instructions for use

3. Keep Poison Control numbers handy--1-800-764-7661

4. Be careful when using different chemicals that may react or breathe fumes

5. Make sure to use protective clothing and plenty of ventilation

6. Do not store materials near each other that are reactive

7. Keep poisons and household chemicals out of reach of children and pets

8. Dispose of the items properly

9. Avoid breathing vapors from these chemicals

10. If exposed to these chemicals, flush the area with plenty of cool water and seek medical attention

11. Never store fuels (hydrocarbons) near oxidizers (bleaches, chlorine) or a strong reaction may result

12. Do not use materials that have no label or you are uncertain of the contents

What do I do with Hazardous Materials?

The County of Camden hosts Home Hazardous Material days twice a year when old batteries, tires, old paints, solvents, toxics, household chemicals and solvents can be dropped off at locations throughout Camden County free of charge.  Watch the newspaper for dates and locations.  You can call Public Works at 609-567-7266 for more information and instructions on waste disposal.

Click Here To Return To Top Of Page

Don't refuel lawn mowers, trimmers, edgers or other gasoline powered equipment while hot.  The fumes may ignite and start a flash fire.  Allow the equipment to cool and use a funnel to prevent spills.

Store gasoline in safety cans manufactured and labeled for that purpose.  Gasoline should never be stored inside your home, vapors can travel to a flame source and ignite.  Gasoline should be stored outside, or in a well ventilated shed or outbuilding.

Keep fertilizers and pool chemicals away from gasoline, oil and fuels.  Pool Chemicals (chlorites) and Fertilizers (nitrates) are strong oxidizers and react violently with fuel vapors (hydrocarbons).

Powered and pellet chlorine should be kept in a cool, dry place.  If your shed is leaking, water entering the chlorine container can react and possibly explode.  NEVER ADD WATER TO CHLORINE.  Add chlorine to water to prevent a splash or violent reaction.

Pesticides should be kept in tightly closed containers in a cool dry place.  DO NOT RE-USE containers once empty.  if exposed to pesticides, rinse the affected materials off immediately and seek emergency treatment.  Bring the container with you to the medical facility if possible.  Pesticides should not be accessible to pets or children.  It is important to follow the instructions on the label for use and application of these materials.

Click Here To Return To Top Of Page

Keep your grille away from your home!  Grills should not be placed next to your home's wall, underneath porches or overhangs, and never indoors.  Use only the appropriate amount of lighter fluid, and NEVER substitute gasoline or other flammable liquids for lighter fluid.  Charcoals should be left to burn out in your grille.  Do not dispose of charcoals in trash cans or bring them indoors.  Soak coals in water to ensure they are out.  Don't bring propane cylinders indoors.  Make sure your propane cylinder is equipped with an OPD (Over-Pressure Device).  When changing propane cylinders on your grill, test the connection for leaks with soapy water and tighten as necessary.  Keep a charged fire extinguisher handy when you are grilling.  Please remember that grilles are not permitted on balconies and porches of multi-family dwellings, apartments or condos within Winslow Township.  Always supervise children around grilles.

Click Here To Return To Top Of Page

Each year in New Jersey, we hear about the tragic results of accidents involving fireworks.  It may be burns, loss of a limb, eye injury or loss of hearing.  It may result in a large fire.  It may change your Holiday to a day you would like to forget.  Whatever the result, it is ILLEGAL.

Recent changes in State and Federal laws may subject you to serious charges including possession of explosive, and result in serious jail time, even loss of your job for possession of illegal fireworks.

New Jersey prohibits the possession, sale, discharge or storage of fireworks.  Because out township is largely located within the Pinelands National Reserve, the risk of setting a Forest Fire is real.  And more and more homes are being build on wooded parcels, exposing these homeowners to an unusual fire risk.

Most fireworks are imported and have few, if any, quality controls.  Fuses burn at variable rates making it impossible to know exactly when the firework will detonate.  Explosive charges also vary from a few grains to a few ounces, making the expected outcome impossible to be determined.  These add up to a risk that cannot be accepted.

Most residents don't realize that even sparklers are illegal and may not be used.  The flame from a sparker (burning magnesium) is over 2000 degrees.  More than one child has been injured from the glowing wire that sparkler leaves behind.  And, children with illegal fireworks have set some of the most spectacular fires in our history.

Questions and Answers

Q: What Fireworks are legal in New Jersey?
A:  Professionally fired fireworks used in public displays.

Q:  Are Sparklers fireworks?
A:  Yes, they are illegal fireworks.

Q:  Why are Fireworks illegal in New Jersey?
A:  Because they are manufactured in either illegal plants or under low quality conditions, they have become extremely unreliable.  Fuses may burn unexpectedly fast, too much charge, etc.

Q:  What should I do if I see illegal Fireworks being fired?
A:  Call the Police Department via 9-1-1.

Q:  What is the penalty for possession of Fireworks?
A:  Penalties vary from a Municipal Summons (Disorderly Persons), monetary penalties up to $5,000 and possible Federal or State charges depending upon amount possessed.

Q:  I saw fireworks being offered for sale in a store.  What should I do?
A:  Notify the Fire Marshal at 609-561-4225 immediately.

Click Here To Return To Top Of Page