Connecticut summers mean cookouts, fire pits and a week around the Fourth of July, and the fire risk rises with all three. Grilling is one of the most common causes of summer fires, and the season's other favourites all have their own version of the same problem: an open flame near something that burns. Five causes, five fixes. What is sitting within reach of your grill or fire pit this summer?
1. Grills
Grease buildup, a faulty gas connection and a grill standing too close to the house are what turn a cookout into a fire department call. Grill at least 10 feet away from the house, deck railings and overhanging branches, never leave it unattended, and clean it after every use so the grease does not accumulate.
2. Fire pits and bonfires
Embers and sparks travel further than people expect, into grass, into furniture, onto the house. Use a screen to contain the sparks, keep a bucket of water or a hose within reach, and put the fire out completely before anyone walks away from it.
3. Electrical overloads
Fans, window air conditioners and outdoor lighting all add up. Check cords for fraying, do not daisy-chain extension cords, and use outdoor-rated power strips for anything running outside. Overloaded outlets and damaged cords are how summer evenings end badly.
4. Fireworks and sparklers
Even a sparkler passes 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and improper use is a leading cause of injury and property fires in July. Keep fireworks away from the house and anything flammable, and have a water source ready before the first one is lit.
5. Dry grass and landscaping
A dry lawn or mulch bed will catch from a cigarette butt or a hot ember off the grill. Keep the lawn watered, clear dead leaves and brush, and dispose of smoking materials properly.
If fire does strike
Get out, call 911, and then call us. JP Maguire responds 24/7 for fire damage, with cleanup, smoke odour removal and structural repairs, and starts the restoration as soon as the property is safe to work in.
Summer checklist
Grill a safe distance from the house, and clean it after use. Never leave open flames or fireworks unattended. Check extension cords and outlets for overloads. Water the lawn and clear dry debris. Store flammable materials properly. Keep fire extinguishers accessible. Review the family escape plan.
A few habits are all it takes. If the unexpected happens, call 877-576-2484.
Where to go from here
If this is happening in your house right now, these are the pages Connecticut homeowners reach for, each one saying what the work involves and how to get a crew rolling: water damage restoration. Water extraction, drying, then the rebuild. fire damage restoration. Soot, smoke odour, and putting the rooms back. mold remediation. Finding it, containing it, and removing it properly. storm damage restoration. Wind damage, fallen trees, emergency tarping. burst pipe repair. Stopping the leak, then repairing what it reached. 24/7 emergency restoration. A person on the phone, any hour of the night.
Also from the blog: Candles, Not Just Trees, the Overlooked Cause of December House Fires, Fire Safety After a House Fire, What to Do in the First 24 Hours and More on fire damage restoration.