24/7 Emergency Service
Understanding Backyard Fire Hazards | SERVPRO® of Central Honolulu
7/21/2022 (Permalink)
If you have experienced fire or smoke damage, contact SERVPRO of Central Honolulu.
There is really nothing better than making memories with your family around your home in your own backyard. Grilling, s’mores and telling stories in the dark can make long-lasting family memories.
We use fire often in these types of activities. From campfires, meals, pest control or debris removal, all of these activities carry their own set of dangers when it comes to fire safety. In fact, the National Park Service believes that nearly 85% of wildfires are started by humans.
Knowing this doesn’t mean you can’t light up your tiki torches, roast marshmallows or grill up the perfect tuna. It simply should make you aware of the dangers and allow you to implement some backyard fire safety practices to minimize your risk.
Any time there is open flame, there is risk, especially when it comes to grills, campfires and those portable fire pits. On average, grills start 8,800 home fires, mostly due to user neglect or error.
Check on your tanks and gas lines for any leaks or cracks before starting your grill, and always designate someone to be responsible for the flames.
If you are building a bonfire, choose a safe location away from homes, outbuildings and vehicles. Stick to only matches or lighters to get your flame started, and use only wood when your fire is established.
Those portable fire pits are a backyard favorite nowadays, and these pits should be treated with the same care as a ground fire. Never place it on a wooden deck or an area that has an overhang.
Once your fire is started, it can be tempting to feed construction or household waste into it. However, you should only burn approved firewood.
Even though the 4th of July is over for the year, make sure you are following the rules regarding fireworks in Honolulu. Only firecrackers and other ground, non-explosive fireworks are allowed on the island.
It is important to remember that the burning regulations in Hawaii and Honolulu are very specific. Most burning requires a permit, and burning yard waste is not allowed.
If you have any gas cans in your shed or garage, make it a priority to ensure they are stored properly and that only gas is in them. Gas should only be used as fuel for your equipment and should never be used as a fire accelerant.
Before you light a fire for dinner, make sure you are checking local weather conditions to verify that it is not too windy or dry. If the conditions are not ideal, skip the flames and plan it for another day.
We hope you never experience fire damage, but if you do, call us at SERVPRO of Central Honolulu. Our trained technicians know how to handle every aspect of fire damage, and we strive to restore as much of your property as quickly as possible.
Burn safely outdoors. And save some chocolate for us! If you have experienced fire or smoke damage, contact us today to get restoration started faster.