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What to Do and What to Not Do With Your Outdoor Fire | SERVPRO of Talladega, Clay & Randolph Counties
9/19/2023 (Permalink)
Bonfire season is upon us! SERVPRO of Talladega, Clay & Randolph Counties has your back with these helpful fire safety tips.
It may still be pretty scorching outside, but fall is close at hand. It won’t be that long until the wind blows colder and there are colorful, crunchy leaves everywhere. Fall is so much more than pumpkin season; it is a time to take things slower and enjoy family and friends.
With cooler evenings, many of us take family and friend time outdoors and gather around the fire pit. While you toast your marshmallows and share your stories, make sure you are keeping everything safe.
SERVPRO® is here for you if things ever get out of control, but we also want to make sure you know how to prevent a fire from leaving your home damaged.
Do find a spot outside that is away from overhangs, debris and any structures. Put your fire pit or campfire ring in a place where you won’t risk sparks catching anything else on fire.
Do keep water close at hand for an emergency situation. A bucket full can put out flames that have gotten in the wrong places quickly, before a disaster starts. Dirt and sand can do the same thing by smothering out any rogue embers.
Do take a look at what the weather is doing. If it is windy, you might want to reconsider your outdoor fire. It doesn’t take strong winds to spread burning ash and result in a huge problem. You should also check to see if there are any burn bans for the area. These can change rapidly, so check the day of your fire.
Don’t burn anything other than treated, approved wood. Adding gas or lighter fluid to your fire can create a dangerous situation. Tossing trash on your fire can do the same by creating flames that are taller and bigger then you are prepared for.
Don’t allow kids close to the fire. Put chairs around the fire to help everyone keep their distance and make sure any games are played safely far away.
Don’t make a big fire. Building a fire is fun, and it can be easy to create something bigger than you need. Keep it small so that anything that gets out of control can be put out quickly.
Don’t walk away from a hot fire pit or campfire. Put water on your fire when you are done for the night, and stay in eyesight of the fire until there are no signs of glowing red embers.
It is a sad fact that the majority of wildfires are started because of human error. If you are planning on enjoying the evening around the fire, make sure you are doing everything possible to prevent a disaster. Never walk away from a fire or embers while they’re still hot.
If something happens and your property does end up damaged by smoke, soot or flames, call us right away. SERVPRO is always available to put things back together quickly so you can get back to enjoying the break in the heat and all the joys of fall.
Fire can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time. Contact us day or night for immediate assistance.