Summer Fire Prevention Tips

8/6/2019 (Permalink)

Keep fires at bay during the hottest months of the year!

Almost 5,000 fires happen every day during the summer season. Between all the cookouts and the extra loads on HVAC systems and landscaping machinery, commercial buildings and homes are both at risk for damage from fires. 

Here are a few tips that can help lower the likelihood of a summertime fire in your home or business. 

• HVAC Care. Dust can settle on electrical components of these units, which causes tracking faults that lead to fire. Running multiple units at the same time consistently over time can result in both overload and overheating, which are also opportunities for fires to start. Keeping your HVAC clean from dusty conditions is one way to prevent fire. 
• Exhaust Fans. Clean out exhaust fans regularly, too, and take all debris out of the vents. Try to avoid running these fans for long periods of time on a consistent basis. 
• Lawn Mower. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance and care schedule on your mowing equipment, and remember to remove debris and grass clippings from the cutting units, mufflers, and engines on a routine basis. Remember to never refuel your mower when it is overheated. 
• Gas storage. The risk from fire is heightened by high ambient temperatures and relief valves that open at pressures that are too low. Always store gas cylinders upright and always out of doors. 
• Safety While Grilling. If you keep a grill onsite at your business for company cookouts, make sure it is stored away from your buildings and away from overhanging branches. Always maintain a safe zone of at least three feet around the grill, and regularly remove any grease or gas buildup from the grills and trays. Never leave your grill unattended under any circumstances. 
• Alarm Audits. Fire prevention should always include fire alarm tests. Be sure to replace any old or burned out batteries regularly.

Here at SERVPRO of Huron & East Seneca Counties, we care about your safety. If you have experienced damages from a fire, or from water or flooding, call us today. We are experts in cleanups from all kinds of disasters, both large and small, and we are also mold remediation specialists. We’re here to help!