PROTECT YOUR HOME AGAINST FIRE DAMAGE DURING SUMMER

5/18/2020 (Permalink)

PROTECT YOUR HOME AGAINST FIRE DAMAGE DURING SUMMER

Summer usually known for hot and long dry periods without rain. Many people enjoy activities like camping, bonfires, fireworks, and cookouts. Summertime is a great moment to spend time with family and friends. But we don’t realize that hot days of summer can be a big risk for fires closer to home. Unplanned accidents happen all the time, including fires that can leave severe burns and damaged property structures. There are some easy steps you can take to help protect your home and avoid fire damage.

1. Watch Your Grill

• Keep your grill away from the side of your home. It should be in a well ventilated open area away from trees and structures including your home.
• Always clean it to prevent grease fires. Drain all of the juices from the meats before putting them on the grill to avoid the flames from flaring up.
• Stabilize it on a flat surface or other stable, flat source.
• Check all gas all fuel connections between gas tank and grilling. Be careful of starter fluid on a charcoal grill.
• Never dispose of used charcoal until they have cooled completely.

2. Fireworks Safety

Fireworks are the source behind hundreds of thousands of property damage every year. Always light fireworks in a safe location outside, away from your home, garage, shed, family, or grass.

3. Beware of lawn mower fires

Lawn mowers are a surprisingly common source of home fires in the dry months. Damage to your mower, especially corrosive effects from the ethanol in gas, can wear away at fuel tanks, fuel lines, and the carburetor. If the fuel flowers from the tank into the engine while the engine is turned off, it will eventually cause a buildup of flammable vapors and a heat source can spark a fire in your garage. Replace your fuel line every other year and inspect your carburetor for damage.

4. Practice fire safety while smoking

Be sure cigarettes are completely extinguished. Never put them directly in the trash.

5. Check A/C and Dryer Vents

Be sure to have an inspection of your a/c system annually because this can prevent a house fire. Dust can settle in places and cause short circuits and other electrical malfunctions that will lead to an air conditioning fire.

6. Make sure your smoke detectors work

Checking your smoke detectors and/or carbon monoxide detectors regularly is one of the best fire prevention methods.

While it is impossible to completely prevent fire, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional fire restoration service. Please call us SERVPRO of Ventura at (805) 656-3911.