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Minimizing the Risk of Backyard Fires | SERVPRO® of Barron, Dunn and Rusk Counties
7/26/2022 (Permalink)
If you have experienced fire or smoke damage, contact SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn & Rusk Counties.
When you think of summertime in Wisconsin, barbecues, bonfires and quality family time probably come to mind. There is something special about spending time around a bonfire or grilling your favorite food together.
We use fire to accomplish all kinds of things in the summertime. We light bonfires, grill and burn yard debris all the time. Even when we are being responsible with fire, though, anytime there is flame, there is an inherent risk of danger.
The National Park Service believes that the majority of wildfires are started by humans.
Even with this knowledge, you should still be able to enjoy a campfire in the woods at your cabin or a barbecue with burgers and brats. As long as you are adopting some safe fire practices, you can continue with the fun while reducing your risk of fire.
Whenever fire is present, there is risk for an unwanted fire to spark. The most risk-prone activities seem to be the most fun ones as well!
Grills, bonfires and fireworks carry a higher risk of fire, mostly due to error during usage or neglect. Make sure you are doing a full inspection of your equipment before lighting anything and never leave flames unattended.
If you are a family that enjoys backyard bonfires, build your fires away from any buildings, vehicles or anything flammable. You should also only stick to matches or lighters to get your flames going. It can be very tempting to resort to a gas can if you are having trouble keeping your fire going, but that only increases your risk of starting an out of control fire.
If you are an owner of one of those portable driveway fire pits, they carry similar risk to an in-ground bonfire pit. These types of pits should only be set on a flat, non-flammable surface and should not be placed under an eave or in a garage.
Once you have used your matches or lighters to establish your fire, only use approved firewood to keep it going and be very careful to avoid storing your outdoor furniture close to your fire.
The 4th of July holiday is over for the year, but other kinds of celebrations sometimes warrant the use of fireworks! If you are planning to use any type of fireworks this summer, keep in mind that Wisconsin law prohibits the use of any mortars, roman candles or exploding fireworks. Sparklers and smoke bombs are the safest and only legal choice for the season.
Before you even consider starting a yard cleanup project or lighting a bonfire, check the DNR page to see if any burn bans have been issued for our counties. If we are currently in a lower risk period, it is still important to take the proper precautions when burning any kind of yard waste or piles of leaves.
Keeping your lawn clear of debris can actually reduce your risk of adding fuel to a wildfire! Keep your lawn free of leaves and implement intentional landscaping to help reduce the risk of contributing to the growth of a wildfire. Take the time to learn what can be burned and be careful to follow all regulations.
If you are a homeowner and mow or weed-whip your lawn, you probably have a gas can in your shed or garage that you fill frequently. Improperly stored gas is one of the major reasons that causes house fires.
Lastly, if you do decide to start a project that involves flame, make sure the weather conditions are appropriate for the task. Any windy day or under any dry conditions should prompt you to change plans and choose to do the activity on another day.
If you do find yourself with fire damage in your home, call us at SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn and Rusk Counties. Our trained crew of technicians have the proper training and equipment to fully restore your home and get you back to normal as soon as possible.
Burn safely outdoors. And save some chocolate for us! If you have experienced fire or smoke damage, contact us today to get restoration started faster.