Fall is fast approaching and that means bonfire season is upon us! As much fun as a backyard bonfire with friends and family can be, however, they can also be very dangerous if they get out of control. Here are a few tips to make sure that doesn’t happen!
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If there are high winds in the forecast, cancel the bonfire. High winds can cause sparks or burning debris from the bonfire around and cause another fire to start where you don’t want one!
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Keep the bonfire to a manageable size. It’s recommended that you don’t let your bonfire get any bigger than 4 feet by 4 feet. A bonfire bigger than that can become harder to control, and it will also be harder to put out if the fire gets out of control.
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Don’t drink alcohol. Bonfires and beer seem to go together like two peas in a pod, but they can be a very dangerous combination. Alcohol is a flammable substance, meaning that spilling even just a drop at a bonfire could mean disaster. If you do decide to have alcohol at your bonfire, make sure it stays far away from the fire.
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Have safety equipment nearby. Always make sure to have a fire extinguisher and a hose or other water source nearby in case of an emergency. Even if you follow bonfire safety steps and do everything right, the fire could still get out of control. If you can’t keep a water source handy, a bucket of sand can also help aid a fire extinguisher in putting out a fire.
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Keep an eye on children and pets. If you bring your children or younger siblings to a bonfire, make sure to show them a safe path to walk to keep them a safe distance from the fire. If you bring your dog, get them a glow-in-the-dark collar or a collar with lights to make it easier to keep track of where they are, although it’s better to keep them as close to you as possible. However, for the dogs’ safety and to prevent hazards such as tripping over a leash in the dark, it may be best to keep your dog inside or at home.
Bonfires can be a dangerous late-summer/early-fall event, but if you follow the proper safety precautions, they can be a lot of fun! However, things can get out of hand no matter how careful you are. If you have a bonfire accident, contact your local SERVPRO to get your fire damage taken care of immediately– after the fire is out and you’ve made sure everyone is safe, of course!