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Safety When You Have Fire Outside | SERVPRO of Harlingen/San Benito
9/19/2023 (Permalink)
Bonfire season is upon us! SERVPRO of Harlingen/San Benito has your back with these helpful fire safety tips.
The weather may still be pretty stifling hot most days, but you might have started to notice a cool breeze in the air and some lower temps at night. Fall is almost here, and while our weather only gets a little cooler, the break from the humidity and the more tolerable nights, combined with pumpkin everything, still make fall a great time of year.
Fall is also when a lot of us gather up our kiddos and head outside to roast marshmallows and share sweet memories around a campfire. While you are overindulging on sticky sugar, make sure you are also practicing fire safety to keep your property protected.
At SERVPRO®, it is our goal not just to restore your home fast when disaster strikes, but to also help you stay as safe as possible and avoid damage whenever you are able.
When you head outside to start a fire for the family, keep a few of these things you should do in mind:
Do find the safest spot possible to either place your fire pit or start your campfire. Choose a space that is free of overhangs, loose limbs and other debris as well as plenty far away from any structures.
Do keep water for emergency use nearby. A bucket full of water or a garden hose you can quickly turn on can stop flames that are headed in the wrong direction before a problem really starts. Sand and dirt can also snuff out flames and can also be helpful for putting out embers.
Do take a look at what the weather is doing the day you intend to have a fire. Check the forecast and keep an eye on the wind. Even a fire pit that has a screen is not safe to use when winds are high. Take a look at any potential burn bans for the area before lighting your fire, and be sure to follow any regulations in place.
Once your fire is going, keep in mind a few things not to do:
Don’t use anything to start or keep your fire going other than approved firewood. Lighter fluid and gas can be extremely dangerous on an open flame, and tossing in trash or other items can result in higher and hotter flames than you can handle.
Don’t let anyone play around the fire. Make sure kids don’t run or walk near the flames, and keep any yard games or balls a safe distance away as well.
Don’t make a bigger fire than your fire pit can handle. It can be tempting to build the fire big from the start so that you have to tend to it less, but it only takes a single flame getting away from you to start an entire backyard fire.
Don’t leave your fire unattended. Even when you are done for the night and the flames are mostly out, you need to add water to the remaining wood and embers. Red hot embers can catch back on fire even hours later.
You should be fire-aware because the majority of wildfires are started by humans. If you are going to have a flame outside, do everything in your power to protect your home and your environment. Keep it small, use the right materials, and never walk away.
SERVPRO is always here. If your property is damaged by fire, smoke or soot, you can call us day or night and start your recovery fast. We will restore your property completely so you can get back to all things pumpkin.
Fire can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time. Contact us day or night for immediate assistance.