Friday, April 17, 1992 — North Shore News — Common summer outings Cam = Per oteclence« competne hice Exdience& Competlive Pics: aq turn out to be disastrous AS THE weather turns to sunshine and we venture to the outdoors in our spare time, it’s hard to beat the flavor of burgers, steaks and corn grilled on the barbecue. But the District of North Van- couver Fire Department wants you to remember that the fun of a cookout can quickly turn to trag- edy if you’re not careful. Use common sense and cook safely. Always dress carefully for barbecuing. Wear a sturdy apron, but one long enough that it will not accidentally brush the grill surface. Wear close-fitting clothing and short sleeves. No toose shirt-tails and no neckties. They can too easily and quickly be ignited by even brief contact with hot sur- faces. If you use barbecue starter fluid, use it sparingly. Never use starter fluid on a fire that has al- ready started to burn. The heat in the coals will ignite the stream of fluid and flash back to the con- teiner. The container may expicde in your hand. This takes less than a second, so don’t assume that ‘‘just a quick squirt”? will be safe. And never use gasoline for a The warmer seasons made for earlier polien season THE WATERY eyes and sniffles of spring are back, a little early this year, thanks to the warm weather. Simon Fraser University biology professor Rolf Mathewes, a pollen specialist, says recent warm sunny days are the culprit. That’s when alder trees release their highest levels of pollen. A warm, dry day ‘that comes after a cold, damp spell often signals the trees to release their pollen all at once, creating instant havoc among allergy sufferers. ‘‘It may not be worse than other years, but it is certainly nappening a iot sooner. this year,’’ says Mathewes. Peak pollen seasons. usually result in Mathewes’ desk being cluttered with samples of supicious “yellow. dust’, thought by those who bring him the sam- ples to be sulphur, air pollution, or even radioactive fall-out. Most. turn out to be ‘‘poilen rain’? from various trees. Mathewes always knows when pollen season has arrived; his wife is one of the many sufferers of . pollinosis, more commonly known as hay fever. HOT TIPS North Vancouver District Fire Department starter — it’s far too dangerous. Best of all, use crumpled newspa- pers as kindling for the fire or try an electric starter. Be sure the grill is set where it won’t tip over or be knocked over. Keep it away from overhanging trees, awnings or roofs. Never use a barbecue grill inside your home or apartment — the fire will create odorless, col- orless, deadly carbon monoxide. Keep a big bucket of water or a garden hose nearby in case of an accident. Don’t try to use ordinary kitch- en utensils for the barbecue. You need the longer handles on out- docr cooking equipment to keep Quality Ogilvee Hybrid Geraniums grown from cuttings. Red, white, and pink blossoms are now in flower. LONSDALE Custom Draperies/ Bedspreads. your hands safely away from the grill and coals. Keep children away from the grill. Their curiosity can lead to tragedy. After cooking, even though the coals may seem cool, soak them with water. If you don’t, the coals can re-ignite later — even days later. Keep the wet coals outside in a well-ventilated area, preferably in an open metal con- tainer. If they’re trapped in an enclos- ed area while they’re drying, heat can build up and they can burst into flame. So any time a bag of charcoal gets wet, leave it outside, well away from the house. And don’t bring the empty grill inside for storage until it’s completely cold. Enjoy the cookout ... safely. For further fire safety or burn prevention tips, contact the District of North Vancouver Fire Department non-emergency number, °90-7575, or your local fire der icc: ont. * Ail Taxes Included * Ail Permits Included * Free Delivery & Hook-U * 25’ Gas NSTA ats | 1840 Lonsdale Avenue North Vancouver, B.C. LABURNUM Weeping variety of the “Golden Chain Tree” seen flowering on & city streets in early summer. Trees are 5 to 6 feet tall. Reg. $2.49 Reg. $59.99. FISH fi FERTILIZER | Art Knapp’s own fish fertilizer to give bedding plants an early season boost of new growth, One U.S. 608 gallon size. Reg. $7.99. Sale | EFFECTIVE APR. 21st. “ASK US FOR GARDEN ADVICE Q ow can I improve my soil before I plant this ¢ Spring? Organic matter dug into the soil now will improve soil A nutrients, water-holding capacity and prevent compac- e tion. Garden compost, mushroom manure and peat moss are suited for this.