Backyard Grill & Fire Pit Safety | SERVPRO® of East Lansing/Haslett

5/24/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Lansing/Haslett can help with your fire damage needs!

The spring and summer months are almost magical. Plants and trees are in perfect bloom, school kids are brimming with excitement, vacation plans are being made…and how is the temperature this perfect?

Springtime also beckons us to that most revered backyard tradition: the barbecue. From graduation parties to gender reveals, church picnics to family reunions, any old excuse will do to break out everyone’s favorite warm-weather cooker.

Unfortunately, an increase in backyard activities also brings with it an increase in fires. In fact, spring sees more daily fires on average than any other time of year. But don’t sweat—save that for August.

With a few common-sense tips, you can be sure your backyard sessions will be safe and fun for everyone.

The grill. Grills are great, but they’re also a perfect opportunity for fires to pop up—the combination of flame, heat, grease and gas gives easy openings for the hungry monster we call fire. Keep the grill away from anything that could ignite (including your house), and never use liquid accelerants to increase flames or heat. Check your grill for leaks or rust holes, and don’t forget to clean it thoroughly—almost 20% of grill fires are due to poor cleaning.

The fire pit. A favorite feature of many newer homes, the fire pit is the social hub of the backyard, but use it safely. Never leave it unattended, and never leave any kids or pets alone by the fire. Don’t add things like pine needles or dry leaves to the fire, either; they create lots of dangerous flying embers. And keep a bucket within arm’s reach, both to slowly cool the fire when the night is through and to handle any jumping flames or ashes.

Chimneys and dryer vents. You don’t have to do these now, but while we’re talking seasonal fire safety, it’s just a good reminder. You won’t need your indoor fireplace until fall, so clean out ash and soot now to avoid potential hazards later. And check your dryer’s vent trap for pent-up lint that could easily combust.

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.