Grill and Fire Pit Safety | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

6/7/2021 (Permalink)

Restoring fire and smoke damage is one of our specialties. Contact SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties to learn more.

In the warmer months, we often feel a new lease on life. The harshness of winter melts away, leaves and plants blossom and bloom, and we get a sense of reinvigoration.

The outdoors calls, tempting us with fresh sights and scents, and we’ll use just about any excuse to take advantage of the pleasant weather.

The middle of the year also brings lots of social events, family gatherings and outdoor cookouts, which unfortunately means a rise in backyard fires. In fact, spring sees more daily fires on average than any other time of year. Let’s take a look at some of the fire challenges presented in these middle months.

The grill. The grill is the first guess for most backyard fires, and with good reason—the combination of flame, high temps and abundance of nearby accelerants are a perfect combination for accidental, unwanted blazes. You want to be sure you’re grilling safely, so first inspect the grill and verify everything is in proper working order with no damage or leaks, move it away from anything flammable (like dry leaves, brush or even siding), and clean it well. Almost 20% of grill fires are due to poor cleaning.

The fire pit. Conversations and marshmallows around the fire pit are great, but to be safe, you need a bucket of water within reach to douse any errant flames or embers. Use this to put out the fire when you’re finished as well (do it slowly and soak everything until it’s cool to the touch). Never add leaves or pine needles to the fire, and never leave it unattended or allow children near it unsupervised.

Chimneys and dryer vents. Alright, these don’t exactly scream spring, but it’s still a great time to take care of them. You’re done with your fireplace until fall, so clean out the ash and soot so you don’t start with a dangerous buildup next time you use it. And check your dryer’s vent pipe to make sure no flammable lint is waiting for a light 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.