Spring Season Has Arrived!  Fire Safety Tips for the Warmer Months

It’s easy to associate at-home fire protection with the colder months with the use of space heaters, fireplaces, decorative candles, and tangled strings of holiday lights, etc.  However, just as important, we should be vigilant when it comes to protecting ourselves and our property from fire hazards during the warmer months as well. As you transition from sweaters to shorts, deep fryers to grills, and indoor holiday parties to backyard barbecues, we should still keep an eye on these areas:

• Grills

Fire is unavoidable when it comes to preparing the perfect kabob or rack of ribs on the grill, which means you’ve got some inherent risks right from the get-go.  Here are some fire safety tips for the grill:

1. Check each potentially problematic point of the grill including the propane tank, the hose, and all connecting points.

2. Soak charcoal with charcoal starter fluid only.

3. Clean the grill - failing to clean the grill before and after use is a contributing factor in nearly 20% of all grill structure fires.

4. Make sure the grill is set up in an open, outdoor area with nothing flammable (plants, paper products, etc.) nearby.

In fact, the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) reports that an average of 8,900 home fires are caused by grilling each year.

• Outdoor Fire Pits

The necessary safety precautions for an outdoor fire pit are much the same as for a grill, plus a few others:

1. Never leave young children unattended near a fire in the pit.

2. Fill a bucket with water and set it next to the pit before you even begin building the fire.

3. Avoid throwing leaves, pine cones, pine needles and paper into the fire. They catch fire quickly and can result in dangerous floating embers.

Unless there’s an emergency, avoid dumping the entire bucket of water on the fire to put it out. Instead, spread the pieces of fuel as far apart as possible and gently sprinkle water over them until there are no more glowing embers. This prevents the scatter of embers and a thick cloud of smoke.

• Chimneys

As cozy as it was in January and February, come April and May chances are you’ll be less inclined to build a fire in the living room fireplace. As easy as it is to just scoop out the ashes, close it up, and have the chimney inspected. The NFPA recommends having a chimney inspected and thoroughly cleaned at least once a year.

• Smoke Alarms

Batteries should be changed once a year. As the spring and summer days progress, don’t forget to test the smoke alarms (there should be at least one on every floor of the house) each month.

• Dryers

Scoop out the lint basket to clear it out every time you throw a load in. The NFPA also recommends cleaning out the vent pipe at least once a year.

We hope that you found these tips helpful. Happy Spring!  Enjoy the warmer weather!