Fire Pit Safety

3/26/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Manteca and Modesto is here to provide a quick response to any fire damage concerns.

The weather has been nice outside, many of us are required to stay home in response to COVID-19. This is a perfect time to enjoy our families and enjoy the things we love doing while we are home. Come evening time it would be nice to uncover your firepit and gather around for a nice chat, some good music, and some amazing food. Although this sounds like a perfect evening, you still have to be aware and cautious of fires that can start from cooking and from the use of a fire pit. 

Here is a refresher on how to use your fire pit safely:

• Ensure it is not a windy day.
• Ensure your fire pit is not too large for the area. Fire pits should be at least 10 feet away from any structures or flammable materials like trees, fences, furniture, etc. 
• When starting a fire using a lighter to start the fire. Start the fire with crumpled pieces of paper and small sticks, you can add larger sticks and logs to keep the fire burning. 
• Do not use lighter fluid or gasoline to start your fire. It can spiral out of control quickly.
• Burn only dry materials. Damp materials cause excess smoke.
• Do not wear loose-fitting clothing while starting or attending to the fire. Try to wear non-flammable clothing and hard-soled shoes.
• Ensure you have a fire extinguisher on hand in case you should need to put a fire out. 
• Do not leave the fire unattended. Keep children and pets away from the fire.
• Once the fire begins to die, shovel and spread the ashes to allow them to cool. Slowly pour water over the ashes to ensure there are no remaining embers. Place the cooled ashes in a metal can. 

If a fire occurs or smoke gets out of hand and leaves you with smoke damage, SERVPRO of Manteca and Modesto is here to provide a quick response to any fire damage concerns you may have. Our team is experienced and trained and we possess the specialized equipment needed to resolve your fire concerns.