Spring is the season that gets people to open up their homes, clear up the yard, and gear up for campfires, fire pits, and barbecues. This is also the correct period to bring fire safety tips to the fore. 

At-home fire protection is often linked to the winter months when fireplaces, space heaters, decorative candles, etc., are used extensively. However, the change of seasons should not make you less wary of protecting yourself and your property from fire hazards.  

Top Fire Safety Tips to Bear in Mind During Warmer Months 

Spring has sprung, and this is the period most people transition from wooly sweaters to T-shirts and shorts, indoor parties to backyard hangouts around fire pits and s’more, and deep fryers to grills. 

Therefore, whenever you use any of these appliances, ensure you keep your eyes on the following: 

Outdoor Fire Pits 

Adhering to the safety precautions set for outdoor fire pits will go a long way in safeguarding everyone from fire incidents. 

Here are some of the tips you should never forget when using an outdoor fire pit: 

• Get and fill a metal bucket with clean water, and then set it next to your fire pit even before you light it up. A fire extinguisher, a bucket of sand, and a shovel should also be nearby. 
• Ensure all children near a fire pit are attended to by an adult. 
• Toast your s’mores over embers instead of the flames from your fire pit. This prevents them from catching fire suddenly while giving them the perfect golden crust you seek. 
• Never leave your fire pit unattended so that children do not wander too close to it. 
• Be mindful of burn bans that are in place. Check if there is one by contacting the local fire department. 
• Do not throw rubbish, pine cones, paper, pine needles, and leaves into the fire pit when the fire is going. These quickly catch fire, resulting in highly dangerous floating embers. 
• The only exception that calls for such action is only if there is an emergency. Do not dump an entire bucket of water on the fire pit to put out the fire. Instead, you should spread out the pieces of charcoal or fuel as far apart as possible. Then sprinkle some water over the live coals until no glowing ember is left.  

Putting out the flames in your fire pit helps prevent the sudden appearance of huge plumes of thick smoke. It also contains the uneven scattering of embers while trying to put out your fire pit. 

Grills 

The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) reports that grills cause approximately 8,900 home fires every year. Knowing some fire safety tips when you use grills will come in handy one of these days. 

Therefore, here are some of the best fire safety tips around grills: 

• Ensure you set up your grill in an outdoor or open area devoid of flammable items such as paper products, plants, dried leaves, etc. 
• You should only make use of a squeaky-clean grill. Research shows that a dirty or unkempt grill contributes to almost 20 percent of every grill structure fire incident. 
• Soak the charcoal with only charcoal starter fluid. Prevent anyone from using a whole container of lighter fluid on the grill. 
• As the meat on the grill marinates, check every potential problematic area of the grill. This includes the hose, propane tank, connecting joints, etc. 
• Do not store your propane indoors. 

Clothes Dryers  

There’s nothing better than the fantastic smell of freshly-laundered clothes and sheets after being spread on a clothesline and dried by a soft spring breeze. 

But if you are not so lucky enough to have that much space in your home, the next best option is to use a dryer. However, you should remember that the most prominent cause of all clothes dry-related fires is the lack of ability to keep them squeaky clean after each use. 

It won’t take you more than 12 seconds to scoop out the lint basket and clear it out each time you throw in a load. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) also highly recommends cleaning out the vent pipe not less than once annually. It won’t be a bad idea to add this to your spring cleaning list. 

Chimneys 

The first 2 to 3 months of the year may have been cozy. But when April and May arrive, you will have less to do with your fireplace. 

Most people would only scoop out the heaps of ashes in the fireplace and then close it up until November. However, it is vital to get chimney technicians to scrutinize your chimney. You can make the inspection part of your regular spring cleaning efforts. 

After inspecting the chimney, let the chimney technicians clean it out thoroughly at least once every year. Performing this clean-up at this time of the year helps eliminate buildup that has the potential of causing more damage if left to hang around until fall arrives. 

Smoke Alarms 

Install smoke alarms on every floor in your house. Check each one of them and change the batteries at least once annually. You should also test the smoke alarms every month to ensure excellent working conditions. 

Replace your smoke alarms after a decade, i.e., ten years. Chances are more advanced devices have been invented or created that help detect fires quicker and work efficiently within a split second. 

The NFPA states that an exceptional and functional smoke alarm installed in your home significantly minimizes your risk of dying in a house fire by up to 50 percent. 

Conclusion 

Keep these fire safety tips in mind at all times of the year, especially during the warmer months. This is when appliances like fire pits, grills, dryers, etc., are used extensively. 

You should adhere to the fire safety tips shared in this post. These tips will help prevent fire incidences when using any of these appliances. 

You should always be prepared for a fire. These tips will minimize your chances of dying in an inferno. 

Contact Fraker Fire if you have any questions about these fire safety tips!