You probably think of the winter months as prime time for fire hazards, and you’re not wrong. The combination of heaters, holiday decorations, candles, and enclosed spaces does indeed spike the number of house fires when it’s cold out.
But summertime presents its own fire risks. Here’s a look at some of the main hazards and how to avoid them:
Grills: Both gas and charcoal grills are prone to causing fires, with grease buildup being a common cause. Propane leaks in gas grills are also frequent contributors to fires or even explosions. Keep grills clean, never leave a lit grill unattended, and keep grills at least 10 feet from buildings, decks, and overhangs.
Fire pits and campfires: Your fire pit requires extra caution, especially in dry conditions when embers can easily travel on the breeze. Contain the flames within a fire ring, keep those portable fire pits well away from any structures and don’t leave a fire unattended. Keep water or a shovel – or both – nearby to contain any spread, and always make sure fires are fully extinguished when you’re done.
Fireworks: We Americans love our fireworks, especially on Independence Day. Fireworks, however, are the cause of 19,000 fires each year as they ignite leaves or dry grass, or even roofs. Use common sense and leave the displays to the professionals, especially in dry conditions.
Flammable materials: Summer is when we use more gasoline for our lawn equipment and more propane for grills and decorative fire pits. Make sure that these and any other flammable materials are stored in cool, ventilated spaces, away from heat sources.
Electrical equipment: For summer gatherings, you might be running extension cords all over the yard for lights, fans, or audio equipment. Be certain that all cords are rated for outdoor use, and don’t overload a single extension cord or circuit.
Prevention: How old are those fire extinguishers, and when were they last checked? Make sure they’re fully charged and ready to go, and don’t forget the ones in vehicles, sheds or other outbuildings.
