Memorial Day weekend is finally here, which means grilling and swimming in the river is going to be a popular endeavor for many families and friends out and about enjoying the nice weather.
However, there are some safety tips to keep in mind if you'd like to partake in any of these activities.
People may want to bust out the grills, but BBQ fires are easy to get out of hand, so it's important to keep an eye out for the flames. One thing to look out for is keeping your grill away from combustible materials like homes, trees and bushes.
Another thing to look out for is cleaning the frill and making sure it functions properly.
You should also make sure the ashes you throw away are cold to the touch and in a non-combustible container, such as a metal container. Ashes can be dangerous because they can retain their heat for days if the weather stays warm which is what makes them extra dangerous.
"We want to make sure where we're BBQing at, we have defensible space. So, we don't have any combustibles around it. So, dry leaves, bushes, anything like wood products," said John Beck, the Fire Marshal for the Reno Fire Department.
You also want to make sure to have the tools extinguish a fire if it gets out of hand.
"A shovel, a fire extinguisher, a hose with water. It's not a bad idea to have those fire extinguishing tools at the ready when we start our open flame cooking," said Beck.
Beck says if you're in an emergency, do not hesitate to call the fire department. He says roughly every minute a fire can double in size so if you're in a bad spot with a fire you should call 911.
"When you think of how long it takes us to respond from just finding out about it, our goal is to get on scene within 7 minutes. Do the math on that when the fire doubles in size every minute. We could be dealing with a pretty good size fire before a phone call comes in," explains Beck.
If your grill flares up with flames you should try and close the lid to cut off the oxygen. If it's still heating up with flames after that, you'll want to try and turn off the fuel to the grill.
He also says to be safe this weekend, because sometimes we can get carried away and excited when we can open the grills back up. He says regardless, you always want to stay diligent.
This weekend people are also going to want to get in the river, and with the snow melt we saw this year, the river is higher than usual, and the temperature is even colder.
If you do go out on the river, make sure you have a few things with you.
First, a lifejacket.
Thermal clothing because the river is 50 degrees, and it does fluctuate, which means you can get hypothermia within 30 minutes.
Aside from what to wear, make sure you also have a plan.
"Let someone know where you're going in and taking out, and make sure that person knows what your estimated time is going to be when you exit the river. So they know to come look for you or call to request a search effort to be enacted," said Kevin Joell, Captain with the Reno Fire Department and part of the Water Entry Team.
Captain Joell also says discount store inflatables are not ideal for the Truckee River and can pop easily.
It's important to keep in mind you also want a clear head if you're going to be around the river.
"The common denominator we often see is mixing alcohol or drugs with recreating on the river. So, we strongly advise to stay sober on the water just like you would driving a car. It can really help with your decision making to stay in control of the situation," said Captain Joell.
If you're in the river and need to get out it's also helpful to keep your feet pointed downstream and start to backstroke to try and get yourself out of the water. He says stay calm and go with the current.
"Even though the Truckee may look very inviting right now, the water is cold, and the current is pretty decent for our normal spring run off. So, if you're not sure, then my best advice would be to seek out some other activities this weekend," said Captain Joell.
