What
is the best way to avoid additional troubles when you are on the side
of the road at night after a breakdown or an Accident Attorney Milwaukee? Setting up road flares is one way, and when used
properly, they can mean the difference between life and death. A
roadside flare is a signal to oncoming drivers that there is a
potential hazard and to be on alert.
A
road flare is a type of pyrotechnic that produces the light you need,
but does not have the explosion that we associate with fireworks and
other pyrotechnics. A typical road flare is also known as a fusee,
and it will burn for approximately 10 minutes to one hour. You will
often find flares in many ready-to-go roadside emergency kits that
you purchase. If you are making your own emergency kit, you can buy
flares separately to put in it. One of the biggest problems with road
flares is that people are afraid to use them because of the danger
involved. As long as they are used properly, there should be no
danger in using road flares.
Safety
should always be in play when using road flares. A road flare burns
at approximately 1400 degrees Fahrenheit. Phosphorus is the main
chemical in road flares and the vapors are toxic so you should avoid
breathing any fumes. Sometimes flares will splatter or shoot
particles of hot burning phosphorus and contact with water can cause
small explosive-like reactions. It is important to use gloves and eye
protection when igniting and extinguishing road flares and to keep
bare skin covered with the use of a PPE (personal protective
equipment).
First
consider the location of the flare before lighting it. You should
place multiple flares well behind the vehicle so that oncoming
traffic has time to move over. A hundred steps behind or "upstream"
of your vehicle is a good distance to light the first one. Make
certain there is no gasoline leaking from cars nearby and if there is
gasoline leaking, do NOT use a flare.
Next,
locate the cap at one end of the flare; it will generally have a
rough striking surface on the outside edge. You should then remove
the plastic lid or cap to expose the surface. Next, examine the cap,
oftentimes, the caps are designed with fold-out tabs or flat sides
that will help prevent the lit flare from rolling around.
Remove
the cap, exposing the end of the flare. You may need to twist gently.
The end of the flare will have an ignition surface or "button".
This is the end you will light. Hold the flare as far away from your
body and face as possible and stand with your left or right shoulder
facing into the wind. Point the flare away from yourself and others.
Also, remember to hold the flare by the middle, with your hand away
from the end you will be lighting.
Light
the flare much the same way as you would light a match. Rub the end
of the flare briskly against the coarse striking surface on the cap.
Remember, the flare will spray ignited, molten material from its end
so you may damage your clothing.
Carry
the lighted flare pointed downward and away from yourself, so that no
burning residues can drip back onto your hand. Keep the burning end
of the flare away from hair and clothing. Replace the cap on the back
end of the flare (the end that is not burning) and set the flare down
gently, in an appropriate place. When setting the flare on the
ground, be sure that it will not roll. If you drop the flare you will
have less control over its location, and the flare could break.
Make
sure that the flare is extinguished before leaving the site. If you
wish to extinguish a lighted flare before it burns out, either douse
it completely with water or tap the lighted end against the ground to
break the burning part off of the rest of the flare.
If
you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to the negligence or
fault of another person, call Gruber
Law Offices, LLC
today for your free consultation.
There is no fee unless we win and we can meet you at a place that is
convenient for you such as your place of work, hospital, home, or our
conveniently located downtown Milwaukee office.
Speak
with one of our lawyers right now by calling 414-276-6666
for a free initial consultation.
“ONE CALL… THAT’S ALL!”
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