Fire Prevention Tips This Summer

6/23/2020 (Permalink)

Summer is all about cookouts, and we can hardly wait! Those long, warm nights are wonderful to sit out in, looking at the stars, and enjoying your friends and loved ones. The days can be pretty warm, too, and our HVAC systems will be working harder than usual. We’ll be cutting the grass and taking care of our yards, and all of these items we have just mentioned have one thing in common: they can each be a fire hazard. 

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

• Caring for your HVAC. Dust is likely to settle on the electrical components of your HVAC unit during the dry weeks of summer, which causes tracking faults that can 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 important so that you can prevent a fire. 
• Servicing your lawnmower. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance and care schedule on your mowing equipment, and be sure to remove debris and grass clippings from the cutting units, mufflers, and engines on a routine basis. Never refuel your mower when it is overheated. 
• Storing your gas properly. 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. 
• Practicing safe 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. Be sure to 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, and keep an eye on small children while fires are burning.
• Auditing fire alarms. Fire prevention should always include auditing all your fire alarms and fire extinguishers. Be sure to replace any old or burned out batteries, or recharge your extinguishers regularly.

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