Fire Safety Tips for the Backyard | SERVPRO® of North Fort Worth

6/22/2021 (Permalink)

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Spring brings a wonderful sense of rebirth and new beginnings. No matter how bad winter might have felt, spring comes with sunshine and growth, and it reminds us that hope is always around the corner.

It also beckons us outdoors to enjoy nature’s beautiful scenery, which of course always reveals the fact that we can’t resist the universal human urge to barbecue.

There are myriad opportunities for backyard gatherings and barbecue occasions in spring and summer—engagement parties, graduation celebrations, family reunions and the list goes on.

And these are great, but unfortunately, they also mean an increase in accidental home fires. In fact, spring sees more daily fires on average than any other time of year.

So let’s look at a few of the usual suspects and see what you can do to avoid fire accidents this grilling season.

The grill. The grill is the most dangerous of your typical backyard activities. It’s centered around fire and combustible elements, combined with dripping, pooling grease and possibly even gas. So follow the grill safety habits necessary to operate it safely: Check your grill to make sure it’s in proper working order, on solid, level ground, and away from anything flammable. Don’t use any liquid accelerants to make it burn hotter or faster, and don’t forget to clean it well between uses. Almost 20% of grill fires are due to poor cleaning.

The fire pit. The fire pit is the perfect place for conversation and company, not to mention roasted marshmallows. Just do it safely: Keep a bucket of water within reach to douse errant flames or embers, as well as to slowly extinguish the fire when the night is through. Keep careful watch over the fire at all times, keeping children and pets at a safe distance. And as tempting as adding leaves or pine needles may be, don’t do it or you risk sending flying embers toward your home or whatever is downwind.

Chimneys and dryer vents. While you’re in fire safety mode, take care of your chimney now that you’re not using your fireplace. Clean out the layers of ash and soot so they’re not a problem in the fall. And check your dryer’s ventilation pipe. Lint that manages to escape the clutches of the filter hides out in the vent pipe and waits for the right time to catch fire.

Your local SERVPRO technicians are on hand ²⁴⁄₇ for emergencies. If you encounter fire damage at your home or business, no matter the cause, we will be there faster and have it cleaned up sooner. Call or click today and experience the SERVPRO difference.