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Keeping Outdoor Fires Safe | SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island
9/19/2023 (Permalink)
Bonfire season is upon us! SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island has your back with these helpful fire safety tips.
It may still be pretty blazing hot outside, but before we know it, fall will be here and the humidity and high temps will start to break. The leaves on the tree will change colors, and pumpkins will decorate, flavor and scent everything.
Fall is a favorite time of the year for many people, and the cooler nights are perfect for gathering with friends and family around the bonfire. While you enjoy sharing precious memories with your loved ones, make sure you also practice fire safety.
A small fire can get out of control pretty quickly. SERVPRO® is here for you to help you prevent a disaster and to put your home back together fast if one does strike.
Before heading out to get the fire going, follow a few of these guidelines:
Do find a safe place where you can light your fire. It should be in a clear, open space away from any structures. Don’t keep your extra firewood too close to avoid potential flames from rogue embers flying.
Do keep some water close. Hook up your hose, or fill a bucket and put it by your fire. You can also keep some sand or dirt and shovel nearby as another quick way to extinguish any flames that get out of control.
Do check the forecast for your anticipated bonfire day. If it is going to be windy, it might be better to wait for a better day. Even a fire pit that has a screen wind can blow embers and ash into other flammable objects and start a backyard blaze. Check on burn bans for your area as well.
Once you get things going, keep in mind a few things it is best not to do:
Don’t use anything to fuel your fire except treated, approved wood. Lighter fluid and gasoline are extremely dangerous when it comes to open flames, and tossing in trash can cause higher and hotter flames that you can control.
Don’t allow children to run, walk or throw balls around the flame. If you will be roasting marshmallows, set chairs a safe distance away and use long sticks.
Don’t make a bigger fire than you can easily put out. Building a fire is fun, but keep it small and only add more logs once it has begun to die down.
Don’t leave a flame unattended. Once you are done for the evening, pour some water over any remaining embers and stay nearby until everything is completely out.
Did you know that most wildfires are manmade? If you are going to have a fire outside, do everything you can to keep it safe. Make it small, use the right materials to light it and put it out, and never leave it unattended.
If you do ever suffer damage from a fire, call us at SERVPRO right away. We are available 24⁄7 to restore your home so you can get back to the marshmallows.
Fire can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time. Contact us day or night for immediate assistance.