Fire Safety Tips for Spring

5/13/2022 (Permalink)

Many of us anticipate spring each year. Something about it just feels fresh and new, and it reminds us of new life and lifts our spirits after the long, cold winter.

There are also lots of social events during the warmer months—family reunions, celebrations and really just any excuse to break out the smoker or grill. But this also unfortunately means a rise in the number of accidental fires.

In fact, spring sees more daily fires on average than any other time of year. But you’re responsible, so of course you want to know what you can do to prevent these kinds of damaging events.

The grill. Grilling is the most common culprit of spring fires, and that makes sense. By its nature, cooking with a combination of flames, grease and sometimes gas presents a risk of combustion. So make sure the grill is well-connected, working properly, stable, and cleaned often and well. Almost 20% of grill fires are due to poor cleaning.

The fire pit. The fire pit is a lovely place to sit and chat with friends as the evening cools, as long as you can do it safely. A bucket of nearby water is a must, both as an emergency tool and a way to safely put the fire out. Do this slowly rather than dumping water on the fire, which is more likely to send dangerous embers flying. Make sure no unattended children are near the pit, and don’t use leaves or pine needles to fuel the fire.

Chimneys and dryer vents. While chimney cleaning isn’t a must this time of year, it’s the most pleasant time to take care of it, and it should be done annually to avoid dangerous buildup. And also check your dryer’s connections, hoses and vent pipe to make sure no backed-up lint is inside.

Your local SERVPRO technicians are on hand ²⁴⁄₇ for emergencies. If you encounter fire damage at your home or business, no matter the cause, we will be there faster and have it cleaned up sooner. Call or click today and experience the SERVPRO difference.