Sports anchor calls on Super Bowl grillers to play it safe
January 30, 2013 - The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is collaborating with ESPN SportsCenter Anchor Hannah Storm on a series of home fire safety PSAs. As the Super Bowl approaches, these messages encourage the public to take care when using their grills. For PSAs and safety information visit, www.nfpa.org/hannah.
In December 2012, Storm was badly burned while preparing to cook dinner for her children. After wind blew out the flame, propane gas pooled on her grill and became an explosive fireball when Storm attempted to re-ignite it. Only the instinct to close her eyes upon seeing the flame saved her corneas, but her face, neck, chest and hands suffered first- and second-degree burns.
According to NFPA, flammable or combustible gas or liquid was the item first ignited in half of home outdoor grill fires. The course of action to remember in grilling is: if the flame goes out, immediately turn off the gas and the grill, and wait at least 15 minutes before trying to re-light it.
Storm feels that it is "important to tell and share this story because it was a very simple mistake that I made, but it was a very common mistake. People all over the world grill and they grill all the time, and most of the people that I know really don't understand the proper procedures..."
"Fires and burn injuries are not only traumatic for the person, but for the family and community as well," says Lorraine Carli, vice president of Communications at NFPA. "Hannah is very courageous to share the personal details of her fire experience and burn injury to remind the public to take steps to prevent fires and avoid injuries."
February 3rd marks not only the Super Bowl, but also the first day of Burn Awareness Week 2013. The week is an opportunity for burn, fire and life safety educators to spread a message of fire safety throughout local communities. The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors works with those injured by burns, providing a supportive community on the road to recovery.
"Imagine for a moment every single person who is at the stadium at the Super Bowl - approximately 85,500 plus attendees. That's the number of just children under the age of 14 impacted by a burn injury each year," said Amy Acton, executive director of the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors. "We commend Hannah for sharing her story to bring awareness on how you can prevent burn injuries and to connect those who have had an injury to available resources."
Storm returned to television on January 1, 2013. Her PSAs aim to raise awareness of the potential dangers of grilling, and to ensure safe cooking for sports fans and families alike.
About the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors
The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors is the leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering anyone affected by a burn injury through peer support, education, and advocacy. Visit the Phoenix Society's website at www.phoenix-society.org.
About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. NFPA develops more than 300 codes and standards to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other hazards. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed at no cost at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.
