Spring is on the way! It’s easy to associate at-home fire protection with the colder months, with the use of space heaters, fireplaces, decorative candles, and tangled strings of holiday lights. But just because we’re less inclined to turn the heat on, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t still be vigilant when it comes to protecting ourselves and our property from fire hazards. As you transition from sweaters to shorts, deep fryers to grills, and indoor holiday parties to backyard barbecues, keep an eye on these areas:
Grills
Fire is unavoidable when it comes to preparing the perfect kabob or rack of ribs on the grill, which means you’ve got some inherent risks right from the get-go. Here are some fire safety tips for the grill:
- While the meat is marinating, be sure to check each potentially problematic point of the grill including the propane tank, the hose, and all connecting points.
- Make sure the grill is clean—failing to clean the grill before and after use is a contributing factor in nearly 20% of all grill structure fires.
- Make sure the grill is set up in an open, outdoor area with nothing flammable (plants, paper products, etc.) nearby.
Outdoor Fire Pits
The necessary safety precautions for an outdoor fire pit are much the same as for a grill, plus a few others:
- Never leave young children unattended near a fire pit.
- Fill a bucket with water and set it next to the pit before you even begin building the fire, along with a fire extinguisher.
- Avoid throwing leaves, pine cones, pine needles and paper into the fire. They catch fire quickly and can result in dangerous floating embers.
Chimneys
As cozy as it was in January and February, come April and May chances are you’ll be less inclined to build a fire in the living room fireplace. As easy as it is to just scoop out the ashes, close it up, and forget about it until November, go ahead and have the chimney inspected as part of your spring cleaning effort. We recommend having a chimney inspected and thoroughly cleaned at least once a year, by a licensed chimney sweep.
Smoke Alarms
You knew this one was coming, right? They need to be tested once a month and the batteries should be changed once a year, so just go ahead and roll it into your spring cleaning ritual.
We hope that you found these tips helpful. Happy soon-to-be Spring!
