Author: Wayne Kessler

Some useful tips for tailgating & camping…

Fall is a great time to enjoy football tailgate parties and weekend camping trips. The Pennsylvania Propane Gas Association would like to offer up some useful reminders to help you keep family and friends safe during these great experiences.

Be the MVP of your Tailgate Party!

Cool as Ice

Nothing spoils your tailgate fun more than spoiled food, so before you leave the house, be sure to pack all perishable items in an insulated cooler. Make sure there’s enough ice inside to keep your food at a safe temperature. Also, tightly seal all meat to prevent the juices from cross-contaminating your other food.

Avoid Illegal (Meat) Procedure

Although meat will continue to cook for a short while after it’s removed from the flame, you should follow well established guidelines to be sure it’s fit for consumption. Ground meats should reach an internal temperature of at least 160°F, steaks at least 145°F, pork chops at least 160°F, and chicken should reach at least 180°F. Don’t forget to arm yourself with an instant-read food thermometer.

Don’t Forget to Huddle Up

Getting in or out of a sporting event can be chaotic. If you’re traveling with others, consider designating a meeting spot. This way if you’re separated, you have a plan in place for dealing with it. Trying to text or make a phone call in a mob of people isn’t the safest or reliable thing to do.

Protect your Star Player

Your portable grill is the life of the tailgate party. Make sure you are guarding your MVP at all times from footballs, soccer balls, frisbees and other flying objects. Make sure your grill is at least six feet from any vehicle or structure and on solid, flat ground.

Propane & Your RV

Whether you’re a long-time owner or first-time traveler, it’s important to know about your RV’s propane system.

Propane is a great resource to cook food, cool beverages, or provide warmth/power at rest stops and campgrounds. Keep in mind some key safety considerations:

• Open a window and turn on your exhaust fan when using your stove for cooking.
• Do not use stove for comfort heat, or any appliances for means other than their intended use.
• Portable fuel-burning equipment including wood, charcoal, and propane grills should not be used inside the RV or near the entryway. This can cause fires or carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Keep your vehicle a safe distance away from any heat source, such as grills or fire pits. Keep propane tanks and cylinders at least 10 feet away from heat sources.

Learn more about RV Safety by taking a moment to review this online brochure from the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC)

Attachments

Outdoor Grilling Safety

RV Safety Brochure

The Pennsylvania Propane Gas Association Emergency Responders Training Event Offered Critical Training & Experience for Firefighters & Propane Professionals Statewide

Over 120 Firefighters, Hazmat Team Members, Law Enforcement, EMTs and Heavy Duty Towing & Recovery Professionals converged on the Bear Creek Mountain Resort to experience hands-on Propane emergency training in July 2015.

The event was the largest of it’s kind ever conducted in Pennsylvania. Real life experiences & technique were presented to attendees during the conference, followed by live training near heat & fire. On site demonstrations included proper technique for securing a bobtail truck that has rolled over, plus how to safely move the gas from a tank that may be damaged to a tank that is secure so that it can be evacuated safely.

Officials from the Propane Educational & Research Council (PERC) and the Pennsylvania Propane Gas Association (PAPGA) urged attendees to share this knowledge and experience with members of their emergency response teams statewide.

Presenters/Trainers

Dennis Cruise (PERC) reviewed the critical steps in the chain of command during the communication process in a propane emergency. Mr. Cruise used real-life experiences to relay tactical considerations while responding to a fire and/or explosion.

Dan Waters of Premier Safety Services offered an overview of the Propane Emergencies Program, a PERC initiative responsible for training over 250,000 emergency responders since launching in 1998.

The three-day event was held in and around the beautiful Bear Creek Mountain Resort & Conference Center near Macungie, Pennsylvania.

For more information on this event and to learn more about upcoming events, go to PApropane.com or contact Executive Director Shelby Bell at this link.

Video Highlights

Attachments

Emergency Responders Event Recap