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? 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 of Bike Accident Injury Milwaukee.
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,
Bike Accident Milwaukee locates 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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