24/7 Emergency ServiceFire, Fire, Fire
5/22/2023 (Permalink)
Enjoying a nice warm bon fire.
With fall coming to a close and winter on the way SERVPRO of Dubuque would like to remind everyone that even though it’s outside the traditional “fire season” don’t take fire safety lightly. Because we know you hardy Midwesterners will still be using your fire pits well into winter.
Check the wind conditions! Before you start up a blaze in your fire pit, check the local weather forecast. Don't use your fire pit on unusually windy days, as the wind can make it hard to light the kindling and could blow sparks to surrounding brush or structures, potentially starting a fire. Also, always check the direction of the wind before you start your fire.
Make sure your fire pit is in the open! Never light your fire pit when it's underneath the overhang of a building or beneath trees, and keep the immediate area around the pit clear of yard waste and other flammable materials. Wayward sparks can blow out of the fire and ignite nearby structures, dry wood, leaves, or other debris, and you could end up with a fire emergency.
Never burn construction lumber! Always use aged hardwood, it will give off less smoke and ash.
Be ready to extinguish your fire! Your fire will attract people to its warmth and light giving your outdoor gatherings a little joy and romance. But it can also be an unpredictable, destructive force. If you've set your fire pit in a safe location you probably won't encounter any serious problems. But you should always keep a shovel and water at hand, just in case. In an emergency, you can use the water to quench the fire and the shovel to smother the flames by throwing dirt on them. You may also want to invest in a fire blanket, which can be used to smother a blaze in or outside the fire pit.
Never leave a fire unattended! Even after a fire has died down and only glowing embers remain, do not leave it unattended. Tiny flames and glowing embers may seem innocuous, they're still a potential threat to your safety. Pour water over live embers, and turn logs to make sure all sides of the wood have stopped burning before you call it a night.
Drink responsibly! Fire and alcohol don't mix. Not only is alcohol flammable, but overindulgence in alcohol impairs coordination, judgment, and reflexes. Keep your guests a safe distance from the flames, and be ready to douse the fire in case of any alcohol-induced mishaps
Obey no-burn alerts when issued for your area! When drought, weather conditions or when air pollution causes an increase fine particulate pollution to an unhealthy level. No-burn alerts may be issued to protect local air quality. Noncompliance with a no-burn order not only puts your community's health at risk, but could also result in fines. Before you light your fire pit, check to see if there's a no-burn advisory in effect.
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SERVPRO of Dubuque
563-584-2242