Summertime Fun & Fire Safety | SERVPRO® of Alamo Heights and Downtown San Antonio

7/20/2022 (Permalink)

If you have experienced fire or smoke damage, contact SERVPRO of Alamo Heights and Downtown San Antonio.

One of the best things about summertime is the increased opportunities to enjoy time outside with family and friends. Being able to have a bonfire or light up a grill for a family barbecue creates lasting memories.

When it comes to these fun activities, we rely on fire to help us accomplish our tasks. Every time we choose to light a fire, however, it increases our risk of danger and the risk of starting a wildfire.

The National Park Service sees wildfires often, and they believe that 85% of wildfires are started by humans.

By incorporating some easy-to-follow fire safety tips into your daily life, you can help reduce that large percentage! As long as you are responsible with fire, you can still enjoy all of your favorite activities.

<h3safety-and-bonfire-use">Grill Safety and Bonfire Use

When grills, fire pits and fireworks are used, the risk of an accident occurring is heightened. The reason that wildfires are so often associated with these activities is because these types of fires can get out of control quickly or are often regarded with minimal risk.

Grills actually are known to start approximately 8,800 home fires. To reduce your risk, never leave a lit grill unattended and do a safety inspection before every use to ensure the gas lines and propane tanks are working properly.

If your family loves to have campfires or backyard bonfires, choosing a safe location for them is the key to safety. Avoid flammable surfaces, vehicles and anything that would increase the risk of catching fire.

Use only matches or lighters to get it going, and then stick to firewood only once your fire is established. Using gas or any other chemical substance to accelerate the flames is very dangerous.

While the 4th of July has passed this year, if you are considering lighting off fireworks for any other celebration this year, keep in mind that Texas law only permits the sale of fireworks during certain times of the year, and each town and location in Texas has different rules to abide by.

<h3outdoor-fire-hazards">Additional Outdoor Fire Hazards

If you are a homeowner, chances are you need to set aside time each fall to burn off brush or dead vegetation to keep your property cleaned up and looking nice. If you do burn often in your backyard, it is very important that you check on any local burn bans before you light anything on fire. When it gets hot and dry in the middle of the summer, any personal fires can get out of hand quickly.

If you do decide it is safe to start a yard waste burning project, you must have a good understanding on what can be burned. This will help keep your risk low and allow you to safely complete your project. Also check on any local weather conditions and avoid any days that are very windy or particularly dry.

Improperly stored gasoline is also a very common reason for house fires. If you have any gas cans in your shed or garage, get them up off of the floor and make sure they are out of reach of any small children.

If you do unfortunately fall victim to fire damage to your home or property, SERVPRO of Alamo Heights and Downtown San Antonio is here to help. We are a team of highly skilled individuals, and we will begin the fire restoration process as quickly as we are able.

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.