Summer Safety Assurance: How to Prevent Fires

Summertime means 4th of July fireworks, grillings and cookouts, campfire funs, and other outdoor activities that take advantage of the warm, sunny weather. However, these fun events may also bring some safety hazards. Ensure that you have a fire protection plan in place so everyone can stay safe and enjoy the season.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Fire Administration teamed up to put together the following fire prevention tips for common summer activities.

Campfire Safety

Making smores around the campfire is one of the quintessential summer festivities. Thus, it’s important to remind yourself about campfire safety.

Follow campfire rules and regulations

Some camps and parks prohibit building fires entirely, so make sure to know what the rules are where you’re staying. Additionally, for camps and parks that do allow fires, check the local and state regulations first.

Stop, Drop, and Roll

As children, we were all taught to “Stop, Drop, and Roll” if ever our clothes catch on fire. Now as adults, instead of merely talking about it with kids, it’s better to demonstrate it and practice the steps with them together.

Check Surroundings

If you are going to build a campfire, don’t do so around any dry leaves, near grassy areas, or under tree branches. The correct way to make a campfire is to clear away all vegetation and shrubbery, dig a deep enough pit, and put rocks all around it. The location of the bonfire should also be an area where it will not easily spread.

Flammable Liquids

Flammable liquids such as gasoline and liquid fire starter should be kept away from the campfire. It will be really easy for stray flames to stimulate these materials.

Camping Tent

It might be common sense, but it’s worth repeating: never set up the tent near the campfire. It should also be built downwind from the tent. Not all tents are made with flame-resistant materials, so choose one that is.

Keep It in Check

There’s something captivating and mesmerizing about fires. However, never build large campfires, no matter how remarkable they seem. It’s always better and easier to keep small fires in check.

Never Leave It Unattended

Always have someone from your group watch the campfire. If you’re turning in for the night, put the fire out.

Be Ready

Before you even start a campfire, make sure that you have the materials to extinguish it properly. Keep buckets of water and a shovel close by to use in a fire emergency or merely to extinguish it.

Know How to Put Out Fire

The following procedure is how you can extinguish a campfire properly: 1) drench it with water; 2) bury the fire with dirt and ash using a shovel, and 3) douse the pit again with water.

Summer Travel Fire Safety Tips

Whether it’s a trip to the beach or a hike up the mountains, summer is a fantastic time to travel. For your fire protection summer travel, keep the following tips in mind.

Accommodations

When booking a hotel, check the fire safety systems of the establishment. Ask the hotel representative about their fire sprinkler systems and smoke alarms and if they have adequate fire exits throughout the building. Upon checking in, ask the front desk clerk what the fire evacuation plan is and how the fire alarms and notifications sound.

Fire Exits

In whatever type of establishment, it’s always better to familiarize yourself where the closest exits are located.

Cigarettes

If you’re in the car on your way to your next summer destination, never throw a lit match, cigarette, or cigar out the car window or on to the ground. It could start a fire on dry vegetation or even ignite the fumes from your automobile.

Fireworks Safety

When you hear summer, it’s always synonymous to fireworks festivities. Thus, it’s crucial to read up on fireworks safety guidelines to ensure you have accident-free summer celebrations.

Outdoor Cooking Safety

Grilling

Never put too much food on the grill. An overload of food on the grill, particularly fatty meats, can cause huge flares when the fat drops on the flames and could light things close to it.

Decorations

Your 4th of July or other summer party decorations are often made from materials that burn hot quickly. Thus, it’s critical to keep them away from the grill.

Gas Leaks

Make sure your grill doesn’t have any leaks. You can check by rubbing a solution of half water and half dish soap and rubbing it all over the hoses. Then, with the lid grill open, turn on the gas. If large bubbles are appearing, that means the tubes have small holes.

Watch the Grill

One beneficial way of ensuring proper summer fire protection while doing outdoor cooking is never to leave the grill unattended. Prep all your ingredients ahead of time so you can focus cooking and grilling.

Relish Summertime

Getting familiar with these fire safety tips for the summer will allow you to enjoy the wonderful outdoors filled with joy and safety.

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