Fire hazards do not take holidays

This summer, nearly 50,000,000 people eagerly will leave the cares of the office and home behind as they pack cars, trailers, and backpacks to go camping. If you are one of those pursuing fun in the great outdoors, remember that you cannot take a vacation from safety.

"Some of the same safety issues you have at home, such as cooking fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, are still dangers when you're camping," warns John Drengenberg, manager of Consumer Affairs for Underwriters Laboratories Inc., an independent, not-for-profit testing and certification organization out of Northbrook, III.

Safety begins before you leave for the campground. Drengenberg advises inspecting and testing cooking, heating, and lighting gear at home to ensure all are in good repair--and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Also, pack up home safety habits with you for use at the campsite. The National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, Mass., says cooking is the leading cause of home fires and related injuries. Frequently, these are from leaving the cooking area unattended. Despite the allure of Mother Nature, do not abandon the outdoor cooking area, either. Moreover, the same considerations of grill safety used at home apply at the campground: Keep the fire, stove, or grill away from overhanging tree branches, tents, and other items such as sleeping gear or drying clothing. Remember to enforce a child-free zone of at least three feet around the cooking area.

Even though camping, the deadly gas carbon monoxide remains a threat. The Consumer Product Safety Commission, Bethesda, Md., reports that carbon monoxide poisoning annually kills about 30 campers and injures 450 more. These deaths and injuries are from using portable heaters, lanterns, or stoves inside tents, vehicles, and other enclosed areas.

"Keep stoves, lanterns, and candles outside in the open air," Drengenberg stresses. "If you need light in a tent or vehicle, use a flashlight or battery-powered light."

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