Fall Fire Precautions | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis
10/11/2021 (Permalink)
Do you feel that? The air is brisk, the humidity is low, and you may even be breaking out your favorite light jacket or hoodie.
That’s right: Fall is here again. The season full of comfortable, cool days, full of hiking and camping plans, and of course falling leaves and pumpkin decor galore.
It’s always important to remind ourselves of seasonal fire safety needs, so grab something with pumpkin spice in it and let’s hit a few essentials.
Campfire Safety
Choosing where and how to build a fire is as important as knowing how to snuff it out.
Use a lighter or match to start your fire from kindling, then add tinder such as small, dry sticks, with larger pieces of wood coming last.
Never use kerosene or lighter fluid, as they can easily cause high flames and make your fire grow too quickly. And always build your fire at least 25 feet from buildings or tents.
It’s not safe to break camp until your fire is completely out, right down to the embers. Douse it with water until you’re sure nothing is smoldering.
Leaf Burning
Those beautiful fall colors are giving way to falling leaves, and many homeowners choose to dispose of them by burning. Make sure to get a permit first.
Only put leaves or sticks in your burn pile, and use a barrel if you can. Adding trash or inorganic material can release toxic fumes.
Space Heaters
Portable space heaters may come out for use during fall evenings, but they’re a frequent cause of home fires.
Don’t plug them into extension cords. Make sure they’re on a level area, away from kids and play space, and at least three feet from anything that may catch fire. Never leave a space heater on when you go to bed, or when you’re not in the room.
Halloween
We’ll get into detail later, but be mindful that decorations, candles and even costumes present a certain level of risk, and you should always celebrate carefully.
If a fire hazard should turn from potential to reality in your home, remember the trusted leader in the recovery industry and contact SERVPRO to get your property fully restored right down to the smell of smoke.
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