Avoiding Fires While Enjoying Barbecue Season

6/4/2021 (Permalink)

Spring and summer give us a lot of things. They give us a gentle reminder that even the coldest, harshest winters pass and give way to warmth and new life.

They give us encouragement to get out and get going on all the things we’ve been putting off since January. And of course, maybe the greatest thing spring and summer give us is an excuse to barbecue.

Barbecuing and backyard activity skyrockets in the spring and summer months, and it’s a joy in which to partake. But it also means that there’s an unfortunate rise in the number of accidental fires.

In fact, spring sees more daily fires on average than any other time of year. Let’s take a look at the main culprits of grilling season fires and how we can prevent them.

The grill. Let’s start with the No. 1 perpetrator of barbecue season fires: the barbecue grill. It has all the elements needed for accidental fires—high heat, open flame, grease and in some cases flammable gas. Some important things to remember: Only operate your grill if it’s in good working order, with no leaks or rusted-out holes. Don’t use liquid accelerants to speed up the process or quickly raise the temperature. And don’t forget how important it is to keep the grill clean. Almost 20% of grill fires are due to poor cleaning.

The fire pit. A newer favorite among homeowners, the fire pit has become the center of the backyard hangout for some families. So when you’re gathered around the pit on a warm evening, make sure you have a bucket of water within reach, so you can quickly quell any jumping flames or falling ash. Use a grate to cut down on flying embers, and don’t add leaves or pine needles for the same reason. Never leave the fire unattended, and don’t allow unsupervised activity around it by children or pets. When it’s time to turn in, douse the fire slowly with your water bucket, making sure all ashes are soaked through and cool to the touch before you call it a night.

Chimneys and dryer vents. And while we’re on seasonal fire safety, it’s probably a good time for you to clean out your chimney, getting rid of layers of built-up soot and leftover ash, and to check your dryer’s vent pipe for dangerously flammable lint that may have snuck past the lint trap initially.

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.