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The Basics for Safe Outdoor Fires | SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties
9/19/2023 (Permalink)
Bonfire season is upon us! SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties has your back with these helpful fire safety tips.
It’s almost here, the most pumpkin-flavored part of the year—fall. As nights start to get cooler and trees start to get a little more colorful, we all look forward to spending a little more time outside as the heat and humidity of summer finally starts to break.
As nightfall also starts to come a little earlier, many of us will gather with our families around a fire. Sweatshirts and s’mores make for a wonderful family night, but while you enjoy sweet stories about the past (or scary ghost stories), make sure you are staying fire-aware.
It doesn’t take much for a small, seemingly contained fire to grow out of control and try to take over your yard and threaten your home. At SERVPRO®, we want to help you enjoy the fall season to the maximum by keeping your family fire-safe.
When you head out to start a fire, keep these tips in mind:
Do select a location that will be safe to start your fire. You should be in an open space a good distance away from any structures. Keep your brush pile and extra logs far enough away from the flames that they can’t catch fire from a rogue spark.
Do keep some water nearby. Grab a bucket or attach the hose before you start the flames and put them somewhere you can grab them quickly. If your fire pit or bonfire area is not near any sources of water, a pile of dirt and a quick way to toss it on the flames will help keep things from getting out of control as well.
Do take a look at the weather before you head out to start a fire. Don’t just check for the possibility of rain—if the wind is high, even a raised fire pit with a small flame can become very dangerous. While permits are not required for a backyard fire, check with your local city office for no-burn days before you get the marshmallows out.
Once you have your fire going, be cautious of how you handle it.
Don’t use any kind of fuel except for treated woods. You might think a squirt of lighter fluid or a little bit of gas might not be dangerous, but it is. You can cause a burst of flames you are not prepared for and risk injury to yourself.
Don’t let the kids get too close to the fire. Use extendable forks if they are going to be roasting their own marshmallows, and set up chairs far enough away that no one can fall near the flames.
Don’t build the world’s biggest bonfire. Building a fire can be fun, and when you get it going, it can be tempting to grow it so that you can kick back for the rest of the night. Big flames can result in big embers that drift to something flammable and cause an even bigger problem.
Don’t head inside for the night until there are no sparks remaining. Glowing embers can still catch fire. Pour water or add dirt to the embers and make sure there is nothing so hot that it glows before you call it a day.
Unfortunately, most wildfires are caused by humans. If you choose to have an open flame outside, it is your responsibility to ensure the safety of the world around you. Keep your fires small, use the right kinds of materials and never walk away while they are still burning.
If things do get out of control and your property is damaged, call SERVPRO right away. We are available to start your recovery as soon as the flames are out so you can get back to sipping pumpkin lattes and watching the leaves pile up in your yard.
Fire can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time. Contact us day or night for immediate assistance.