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Keeping Every Evening Fire-Safe | SERVPRO® of Westfield
9/19/2023 (Permalink)
Bonfire season is upon us! SERVPRO of Westfield has your back with these helpful fire safety tips.
It might not feel like it yet, but fall is just around the corner. A break in the heat and lower humidity will be a true blessing while we get our pumpkin decorations out and look forward to crunching in the few leaves that will start to fall.
Many of us also enjoy getting outside with the family at night and gathering around the fire pit. It’s the perfect place to share stories and eat flame-kissed foods, especially when we are keeping it safe.
SERVPRO® is always available when you need us after a disaster strikes, but we also want to make sure you know how to stay safe. We want to help stop damage before it ever begins.
Make safety a priority from the start by keeping a few things you should do in mind:
Do find the best spot to have your fire. Choose a location that is in a clear area away from structures or debris, and don’t pile up the wood you plan to burn too close to the fire.
Do keep water close by in case of emergency. A bucket full of water can put out a spark that flies into the wrong places and stop flames from getting out of control. Sand or dirt can also smother out anything that leaves the fire area.
Do take a look at the weather. Check the forecast for any warnings, particularly about the wind. Even if there are no advisories, stand outside for a bit before starting the fire to ensure there are no strong winds. It doesn’t take much of a breeze to spread flames. Check burn bans for the area as well. Fire regulations can change rapidly, so make sure you check on them the day you plan to spend time around the fire.
Keep your fire safe the whole evening by considering a few things you don’t want to do:
Don’t burn anything other than wood that has been treated and approved for use in a fire pit. Adding accelerants or trash to your fire can cause a dangerous situation quickly.
Don’t let anyone get too close to the fire. Put chairs around the fire a safe distance away in order to keep kids and animals away and prevent potential accidents.
Don’t make a big fire. You want to keep your fire small enough to stay contained and avoid flying embers. It only takes a single spark to start a massive blaze.
Don’t go out of eyesight of the fire until it is completely out. When you are done for the evening, pour water on your fire and stay outside until there is no trace of red, glowing embers.
Preventing a wildfire all starts with you. Statistically, the majority of wildfires are started by human error, so always do what you can to keep things safe. Make the fire small, use the right material and never walk away from hot embers.
If you do experience a fire on your property, call us. SERVPRO is always ready to get damage taken care of quickly and put your life back together. We will get things handled so you can continue enjoying the season.
Fire can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time. Contact us day or night for immediate assistance.