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Responsible Recreational Fire Use | SERVPRO® of Conway & Faulkner Counties
8/4/2022 (Permalink)
If you have experienced fire or smoke damage, contact SERVPRO of Conway & Faulkner Counties.
Spending time in your backyard is a staple for the summertime season. Chocolatey s’mores around the bonfire or grilling up your favorite hot dogs with family or friends are wonderful memories to make year after year.
In order to enjoy these fun activities, fire is a necessity! But whether we are lighting a grill or stoking a bonfire, any time there is fire present, there is a higher risk of danger. The National Park Service believes that the majority of wildfires are caused by humans.
Knowing that our grills and bonfires heighten the risk of sparking a wildfire can feel frightening or overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to. With some simple safety measures incorporated into your daily lives, you can continue to roast marshmallows, throw fresh corn on the grill or dispose of your yard waste.
Grills, campfires, fireworks and portable fire pits are the most common culprits when it comes to starting an unintended fire. In fact, grills start 8,800 home fires.
Fires from grills are mostly started due to user error and neglect, so it is very important to always have someone responsible for the flames. It is also a good idea to check the gas lines and propane tank often to look for leaks or cracks.
If your family frequently builds bonfires, matches or lighters should be the method of lighting your fire. Once your flames are established, stick to only approved firewood and keep the lid on your gas can. Adding gas to a fire is one of the quickest ways to find yourself with an out of control blaze.
Portable fire pits are another great alternative to enjoy the feel of a campfire without having to dig a pit in your yard. However, they carry similar risks and should never be placed on a wooden deck or below any overhangs.
You should always have a way to extinguish the flames quickly if you need to. A shovel and a bucket of water or a hose can help put out a fire and control the damage.
Even though Independence Day has passed for the year, if you are planning to light fireworks for any other celebration this summer, make sure you know your specific city’s requirements for fireworks. Even though fireworks are legal in Arkansas, some cities allow certain kinds while others do not.
If you live on land that has a lot of leafy trees or pines, the leaf drop in the fall can be overwhelming! Sometimes it is necessary to burn off this debris in order to stay on top of it.
Before beginning any yard project, make sure you understand the local burn bans and the current fire risks for our counties. This handy website is updates in real-time and will change colors based on which counties are at risk.
If we are in a low risk time period, do one final check on the current weather conditions before proceeding. Any day that is excessively windy or particularly dry should be avoided. Skip the flames and choose another activity until the conditions improve.
Keeping your yard clear of excess debris and dead grasses actually helps minimize the risk of adding fuel to a potential wildfire. Understanding what is able to be burned in your backyard will also help keep your risk low.
If you have a gas can or two in your garage, your risk of fire is increased if they are not stored properly. Keep them out of reach of children and only store gasoline in approved containers.
Gas should also not be used for anything other than fuel. While it can be very tempting to use it as a fire accelerant, your fire can quickly get out of hand.
If you do find yourself with fire or smoke damage, we are here to help at SERVPRO of Conway & Faulkner Counties. Our trained teams are ready to tackle the damages, and we will work hard to get you back into your newly restored home as quickly as possible.
Burn safely outdoors. And save some chocolate for us! If you have experienced fire or smoke damage, contact us today to get restoration started faster.