Staying in Control When You Burn Outdoors | SERVPRO® of Eastern Rockland County

7/26/2022 (Permalink)

Imagine this evening: You and your loved ones are sitting near a fire roasting hot dogs, making s’mores and sharing stories. What beautiful memories you can make!

Fire serves us in multiple ways during our day-to-day lives. Cooking our meals, getting rid of bugs, cleaning out limbs and leaves and entertainment can feel safe, but any flame can quickly get out of control. The National Park Service found that 85% of wildfires are started by humans.

This past May, we saw the largest fire in Hudson Valley burn Harriman State Park. Our wildfire risk has been slowly rising over the years, and with so much of our area being wooded, we need to stay fire-aware all the time.

You can still enjoy an outdoor fire! Use your grill, roast marshmallows for s’mores and get rid of brush, just be sure to check safety codes and regulations. Put safety first each and every time you light a flame so your risk level stays at a minimum.

<h3fire-hazards">Recreational Fire Hazards

There will always be a risk when you light a flame, but campfires, fire pits, grills and recreational fireworks are some of the most common outdoor fire starters. On average, grills start close to 8,800 home fires each year, mostly due to operator error. Look at gas lines or propane tanks before grilling and never leave a hot grill unattended, even after the cooking is done.

If you are starting a campfire, find a place away from buildings or vehicles, and only use a match or lighter to get the flame going. Once the fire has started, use only approved firewood to keep it going, and once you have been through all the chocolate, watch the embers and make sure they go completely out.

Fire pits are in a lot of backyards now, allowing for a camp feel with extra privacy. Fire pits still carry risks, though, and you should use the same precautions as a regular campfire. If it is moveable, keep your pit off of wooden surfaces or areas with an overhang.

Burning excess construction materials or other household waste in your fire pit may seem like an easy solution, but you should stick to approved firewood.

If you want to end an evening with a bang, small novelty fireworks and sparklers are permitted in our county. Be sure you have plenty of space to light the fireworks away from structures, vehicles or areas of dried grass.

Don’t forget that sparklers are still considered an explosive and should not be handled by small children. Leave plenty of room for fireworks to land, and always keep a bucket of water nearby.

<h3outdoor-fire-hazards">Other Outdoor Fire Hazards

Even with the risks, fires and combustibles still have a purpose. If you have a lot of trees that lose their leaves, burning them may be a viable means of cleanup, particularly if you do not live in an area that offers waste disposal options.

Clearing your yard of debris is important to protect against wildfires, and combined with purposeful landscaping, your yard serves as a line of defense for your home when a fire does start outside. Understand how to burn safelyand stay in control of your flames.

If you store gas in a shed or garage for your yard tools, make sure you use approved containers only and far away from any children. Gas should be used to power those items that need it only, so even if your campfire is going out, don’t grab the gas.

If you are going to have a flame out outdoors, be sure to check the weather and any warnings that may be in place. If the wind is strong or the relative humidity is low, wait on the fire and hang onto the marshmallows.

If you experience damage from a fire, give us a call. SERVPRO is ready with the equipment and knowledge for every aspect of fire recovery, and we want to restore as much of your property as possible, as quickly 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.