Focus on safety to avoid backyard summer fire hazards and property damage from grills, fire pits, and torches

6/16/2022 (Permalink)

Open flames are hazardous whatever time of year, the changing of the season to warmer weather brings outside spring and summer fire hazards to your backyard. This year as our community continues to endure the global pandemic and people are encouraged to entertain in small groups outdoors and with social distance, outside spaces will see more use. BBQ’s, fire pits, portable heaters, and other cooking or recreational flames can cause accidental property fire damage. 

In New York City, grilling outdoors is an automatic no-no if your grill is within 10 feet of anything that could easily catch fire, including building walls, trees, wood deck surfaces, and furniture. Plus, you must have access to a garden-type hose attached to a water supply or a four-gallon bucket of water available when needed. It also depends on what type of fuel your barbecue uses: Electric grills are okay in a NYC apartment building on balconies, terraces, roofs, or yards, as long building rules allow it. Other types are prohibited so do some research before lighting up.

Spring and Summer Fire Hazards can cause accidental property damages.

Summer is a fun time for most, family and friends gather for pool parties, and people take vacations, but Summer is also a prime time for home fires. Every year, there are between 350,000 and 400,000 home fires in the U.S. (according to the National Fire Protection Association). Your home is at risk of catching fire for a variety of reasons no matter what the season, knowing some common reasons for residential fire damage can be important to fire prevention. SERVPRO of Central Manhattan has been providing property disaster cleanup and restoration service to fire property damage victims for nearly 30 years, our IICRC certified fire damage restoration specialists arrive ready to rescue and recover your home and property following a fire, "Like it never even happened."

Common causes of residential fire property damage disasters:

Grilling: Nothing announces the arrival of summer like firing up the grill. In the summer months, many people grill outdoors for various holidays and barbecue dinners. 

Prevention tips: To prevent barbecue fires, check for gas leaks before use, regularly clean your barbeque, and try to create a dedicated safe barbecuing space that is free of clutter and away from children.

Fire pits/Heaters: On cool summer nights, kids and adults alike will enjoy a cozy place to gather and stay warm. Fire pits are known to be a major source of warmth and ambience. Unfortunately, due to the increase in popularity, the number of fire-related injuries and accidents is on the rise as well. The good news is that with the proper safety precautions, the whole family can safely enjoy a fire pit.

Prevention tips: Before striking the match, never place a pit closer than 10 feet from anything flammable, including your house and overhead tree branches. Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the fire. 

Electrical fires: About 2,300 residential air conditioners start fires each year. These fires are usually the result of inadequate wiring while having to deal with heavy electric loads, short circuits, or other electrical malfunctions. It is not just the AC that catches on fire, if your AC heats up, flammable materials near your unit can catch on fire. Fires are most likely to occur when it is hottest outside—between 2 and 8 p.m. 

Prevention tips: Using fans may allow you to set your thermostat a degree or two warmer than you may have been able to stand otherwise—especially if you rotate the blades clockwise, which directs airflow downward and prevents hotter air from rising up and signaling the A/C unit to kick on.

Candles/Torches: Adding candles and torches can provide ambient lighting and fend off mosquitoes and other nighttime insects when used with citronella. Yet, similar to anything that involves a fire or open flame, it’s important to exercise caution when installing, handling, and storing these creative outdoor lighting options.

Prevention tips: It is important to exercise caution with these lighting options, consider placement carefully no not place torches under trees, overhangs or near other flammable materials. Position torches at least 6 feet away from the house or other structures. Never leave an open flame unattended, keep an eye on any flames and ensure they are entirely out before you go inside for the night.

Be aware of the risk of fires and prepare by checking the batteries in your smoke detectors and having functioning fire extinguishers. If you find yourself faced with a fire emergency this summer, we are here to help!

The Damage Caused by a Property Fire 

To repair the property entirely after experiencing a damaging fire, you will need to seek the help of a professional team like SERVPRO. Fire damage is multi-faceted and to recover as much of your property as possible, it is important to contact the professionals right away. Our experience, equipment and training will help avoid additional repairs and costs. Our Manhattan SERVPRO technicians know what steps to take to assess your property and possessions, they can look for hidden damages and quickly start to mitigate concerns to avoid further damage from smoke and soot, documenting damages and removing items for restoration. 

Why Choosing a Professional Disaster Restoration Company, like SERVPRO is Important?

SERVPRO of Central Manhattan offers Emergency Restoration Services in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit your unique property damage disaster needs. Our staff and restoration managers understand that a rapid response is critical to your recovery, our team will provide comprehensive cleanup, mitigation, restoration and rebuild options following a property fire disaster. SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the restoration industry providing advanced technology and training to a nationwide team of skilled technicians and project managers. Our crews have experience and knowledge offering a wide variety of restoration services to recover your commercial property with minimized cost and business interruption.

• Our crews will assess the full damage of your property taking necessary steps to save as much of your inventory, appliances and equipment, furnishings, and inventory as possible.
• They will do a complete inventory of all items removed from your property taking photos and documentation and return all salvageable items back to your business following the restoration process.
• Our technicians work quickly and carefully to get your business up and running as soon as possible. Our project managers and staff will follow-up to make sure you are satisfied or address any other concerns.
• Our construction managers can seamlessly begin putting back together any structural, interior, and exterior damages sustained during the initial disaster or as a result of the restoration and cleanup process. Our staff can work with your insurance and answer any concerns you may have about the process.

If your property needs fire damage repair, find an experienced and certified fire damage restoration service near you.

Hiring SERVPRO, a trusted industry leader in fire and water damage restoration ensures that your home repairs are effectively managed after a property fire damage. It is essential to find a reliable and experienced fire restoration expert who can offer a range of services. This includes everything from smoke damage restoration to soot damage repair to water restoration and removal.