Summertime is perfect for bonfires and roasting s’mores, but the hot, arid weather creates the perfect recipe for fires to spread quickly across your yard and towards your house. To keep you and your family safe, follow these simple tips.
Fire Prevention Begins in your Backyard.
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Never leave any fire unattended, even for a quick moment.
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Keep a hose or other water source nearby.
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Pay attention to your area’s drought conditions.
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Select a flat, open location away from flammable materials such as logs, brush, or decaying leaves and needles.
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Cut wood in short lengths.
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Never burn debris when the weather is windy.
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Make sure outdoor cookers are in good repair and have a metal drip pan underneath to catch fallen embers or hot grease.
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Park only on paved surfaces. Exhaust systems on vehicles can easily ignite dry grass.
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Clear rocks and sticks from your yard before lawn mowing. Worn-out lawn mower mufflers can emit sparks.
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Allow your lawn mower to cool before refueling. Gasoline gives off more ignitable vapors in hotter weather.
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Only use fireworks on concrete.
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Don’t smoke on your grass, and always use an ashtray!
If you have a property fire, call emergency services.
Accidents happen, and it’s important to know what to do in an emergency. Always call 911 immediately so the fire department can extinguish the flames. However, many people are unaware that damage to the property will continue to spread until all of the smoke and soot are completely removed and cleaned up. To prevent further damage, call for fire damage cleanup services as soon as the firefighters extinguish the flames.
Take the responsibility to inform your friends and family on how to prevent fires.
While some of these tips may seem obvious, it’s important to keep those in your community safe. Take the initiative to discuss fire safety with your neighbors and friends. Use online neighborhood forums or bulletin boards to share infographics and checklists. If you see someone engaging in a potentially dangerous activity, such as setting off fireworks on their lawn or burning debris in windy weather, step in and let them know what they could be doing to keep their property and the surrounding community safe. Fire safety lasts a lifetime!