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ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. – Although many view Labor Day as the unofficial end of summer, it doesn’t necessarily mark the end of fun in the sun and under the stars.
People across the country view the holiday, observed annually on the first Monday in September, as a signal that opportunities for outdoor recreation will only grow fewer as the weeks roll on and the days grow shorter. Many of these same folks will look to take advantage of the last opportunities for outside enjoyment with grilling, picnics, fire pits, time on the water and other activities before the chill of late fall and winter arrives.
Arnold Air Force Base Fire and Emergency Services want personnel across Arnold Engineering Development Complex to take advantage of the long weekend with recreation and relaxation while keeping safety at the forefront of any Labor Day activities.
“Obviously, we want people to enjoy themselves during the Labor Day weekend but just be ready to come back to work so that we can get back to what we’ve got to do, and that’s support the warfighter and complete the mission,” said Arnold FES Fire Prevention Officer Christian Lyle.
Grill Safety
For a considerable number of Americans, food will play an integral part in Labor Day fun. Many will fire up their grills as they entertain family, friends and neighbors over the long weekend. According to a report conducted by consumer market research company Numerator ahead of the 2024 holiday, 63 percent of the 1,000 people surveyed said they planned on grilling or barbecuing to celebrate Labor Day.
Lyle said those who plan on partaking in the popular holiday activity should follow several measures to help ensure a safer experience.
“We want everybody to be safe, practicing good fire prevention principles, especially around the barbecue,” he said.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends that propane and charcoal grills only be used outdoors, placed well away – at least 25 feet – from the home or other structures, deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
The appropriate fuel should be used for charcoal grills. Gasoline, kerosene and other combustible liquids, with the exception of lighter fluid, should never be added to a charcoal fire. If lighter fluid is used to start a charcoal fire, it should be made specifically for usage in charcoal grills.
Do not add lighter charcoal fluid directly to a flame.
Lighter fluid should only be put on charcoal when it is cool. If the fire goes out, do not spray more fluid on hot coals. The coals must be completely cooled before additional lighter fluid is applied and relighting of the charcoal is attempted.
Charcoal lighter fluid should be kept away from heat sources and out of the reach of children.
Users should ensure coals in charcoal grills have completely cooled before putting the grill up. The NFAP suggests disposing of cooled coals in a metal container.
Now, Lyle said, is a good time to clean grills and check to make sure they are safe and usable, especially if the cooking devices have been sitting for much of the summer.
Excessive grease or fat buildup should be removed from the grills and the trays below the grill.
A leak check should be performed on a propane grill before it is fired up for the first time each year. To do this, apply a light soap and water solution to the entire exterior of the propane tank hose. Bubbles will be released if a leak is present.
According to the NFPA, if the gas grill has a leak, detected either by smell or the soap test, and there is no flame, both the tank and the grill should be turned off. If the leak stops, the grill should be serviced by a professional before it is used again. If the leak does not stop, the local fire department should be contacted.
Always make sure the lid of a gas grill is open before igniting it.
Should someone smell gas while cooking, they should immediately get away from the grill and contact the fire department. The grill should not be moved.
If the tank hose appears dry rotted or damaged, it is recommended that the hose be replaced before the grill is used. Grills themselves should also be examined for any damage and possible obstructions.
Should a propane grill flame go out, the NFPA recommended turning the grill and gas off and waiting for at least 5 minutes before reigniting it.
Regardless of grill type, a grill should never be left unattended.
A fire extinguisher should be readily available while the grill is in use.
Children and pets should be kept at least 3 feet away from the grill area.
Campfires and backyard firepits
The cooler temperatures of fall make the season an ideal time to spend evenings around campfires and backyard firepits. Some may even plan an outdoors outing around a campfire or firepit over the holiday weekend.
Much like grilling, Lyle said safety is paramount if these activities are on the autumn agenda.
A campfire or firepit should be located at least 25 feet away from any structure or anything that can burn. Dry leaves and sticks, overhanging low branches, and shrubs should be cleared from the site before a fire is started.
The NFPA advises against burning on windy, dry days, as it is easier for open burning to spread out of control in these conditions.
Campfires should be kept small, as they are easier to control than larger fires. Campfires should not be left unattended.
Children and pets should be supervised and not allowed to play near or stand too close to the fire.
Gasoline or other flammable liquids should never be used on a campfire or in a firepit.
With campfires, a hose, bucket of water, or shovel and dirt or sand should be kept nearby to put the fire out. Campers should make sure the fire is completely out before exiting a campsite.
It is advised that, before setting up a campfire, campers first check with the local fire department to ensure they are permitted in the area.
It is also recommended that a fire extinguisher be kept readily accessible when setting up a campfire or using a firepit. Many firepits come with screens that can be placed over top of them, and these screens should be used to help keep embers confined.
Lyle said the manufacturer’s guidance on firepits should be followed.
Boating Safety
If Labor Day weekend is met with clear skies and pleasant temperatures, some may opt to spend a day or two on the lake for some fishing, sunning and swimming.
When searching the internet for boating safety tips, the first piece of advice consistently offered is everyone on the vessel should have a life jacket.
The National Safety Council on its website states life jackets are the “core” of safety boating, whether using a motorized or non-motorized vessel.
According to statistics shared by the NSC, the U.S. Coast Guard reported 81 percent of boating deaths in 2021 were due to drowning. Of those victims, 83 percent were not wearing a life jacket.
“Good swimmers still need life jackets,” the NSC site states. “When people fall off a boat, they may become disoriented, injured or unconscious. Life jackets can keep victims’ heads above water so they can breathe and be rescued more easily. Every child should wear a life jacket at all times when boating.”
The NSC recommends choosing the right life jacket for the activities one will be doing. The devices should be checked to ensure they are U.S. Coast Guard approved and fit correctly. The life jacket should be a proper fit for an individual’s size and weight and should be properly fastened. The NSC suggests having the wearer hold his or her arms straight over their head and asking a friend to grasp the tops of the arm openings and gently pull up. The jacket should have no excess room above these openings and should not ride up over the wearer’s chin or face.
Before setting out, the NSC recommends that boaters ensure their equipment is in good working order. This can be accomplished through a free vessel check by the local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadron.
A pre-departure checklist should be prepared and reviewed before hitting the water to ensure everything needed is in the boat. According to the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, items needed in the boat include registration documentation, one life jacket for each person who will be in the boat, a tool kit, distress signals, food and water, extra clothing, and a first aid kit.
Whether planning an extended voyage or just a day on the lake, the NASBLA further recommends filing a float plan with a trusted individual onshore. This plan should include information such as boat operator and passenger names and the planned location of the vessel at specific times.
Do not drink alcohol and operate a boat.
The NSC suggests boaters should wear sunscreen and know the signs of heat illnesses.
Be mindful of the weather as it can quickly turn. If those on the water notice storm clouds, a sudden temperature drop or increasing wind speed, the NSC advises to “play it safe” and get off the water.
The National Safe Boating Council urges boaters to have taken a boating safety course for the state in which they will be on the water and to be familiar with state boating laws.
For swimmers, the AEDC Safety team at Arnold AFB previously provided tips to become water competent.
Awareness
Lyle warns Team AEDC to be mindful of potential risks typically absent during preceding months that present themselves in the fall.
“There are some hazards out there that sometimes we aren’t used to during the summertime, so you’ve definitely got to be more defensive or be more aware of your surroundings coming up in the fall,” he said.
One example Lyle provided is that children have returned to school by the time fall rolls around. This means there will be more school buses on the road. It could also lead to the possibility of children crossing streets and roadways to catch buses. Drivers should be attentive at all times during their commutes to work, Lyle said.
Shorter days will lead to darker mornings. Lyle said motorists should also be mindful of wildlife, especially deer, on roadways, specifically mentioning Wattendorf Memorial Highway and Decherd.
Leaves that have fallen from trees can cause loss of traction on the road.
Lyle said drivers should slow down, always use their seat belts and drive defensively, looking out for and anticipating the actions of other drivers.
Fall cleaning
Spring isn’t the only time folks may look to declutter their homes and garages. Many undertake a little fall cleaning to prepare for the upcoming winter.
Lyle said those who do should make sure items to be disposed of are properly separated to enhance fire safety.
“Don’t throw flammables in with your cardboards as this adds an unnecessary fire hazard,” he said.
911 on base
Lyle stressed that if a member of the Arnold AFB team must contact 911 from a cell phone while on the installation, the first thing that individual should do is notify the dispatcher who picks up that they are on Arnold Air Force Base. This is because, depending on which tower picks up the cell signal, the call will go to an off-base dispatch center in either Coffee County or Franklin County.
By immediately alerting the dispatcher who answers the emergency is occurring on Arnold, the off-base dispatcher can quickly transfer the call to the on-base Emergency Communications Center, mitigating delays in response.
“If they start giving the information immediately, as soon as the dispatcher finds out, ‘Oh, hey, they’re on Arnold,’ they’re going to switch them over, and it’s just prolonging or extending the response time for the fire department,” Lyle said. “The first thing the caller needs to do as soon as that dispatcher picks up is say, ‘Hey, I’m on Arnold,’ so the off-base dispatcher can go ahead and transfer them over.”
Those dialing 911 from a landline base phone will immediately be connected with a dispatcher in the Arnold AFB ECC.
For additional information on Labor Day safety, contact the Arnold FES Fire Prevention Office at 931-454-5569 or 931-454-5306.
| Date Taken: | 08.25.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.26.2025 09:21 |
| Story ID: | 546440 |
| Location: | ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENNESSEE, US |
| Web Views: | 43 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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