Bonfire Safety Tips

9/16/2017 (Permalink)

Bonfires are great, but stay safe!

Thinking of summer might have you reminiscing about swimming pools, barbecues, and bonfires when the sun sets with family. Bonfires are great for storytelling and relaxing with friends and family, but there are safety precautions to take when having a bonfire to keep everyone safe. Without proper fire safety precautions, accidents can happen and cause your fun evening to turn into a disaster.

Location

The place where you start the fire is crucial. Ensure that you’re at least 25 feet away from buildings, structures or other burnable items. Safety begins with fire prevention. Light the bonfire in a clear, contained area without hanging trees or branches. Cut them down if they’re present to eliminate the risk of them catching fire and turning a small campfire into a devastation.

Monitoring

Never leave a bonfire unmonitored, even for a few minutes. It only takes a couple minutes for a fire to get out of control to the point where you need to call for help. Always have someone watching it until it has gone out completely. Avoid starting a fire if conditions are dry or if it’s excessively windy. Stay at a safe distance away from the flames.

Burnable Items

Only burn dry wood intended for burning. Don’t put plastic, garbage or flammable things such as gasoline on the fire. The fumes aren’t safe to breathe in and can present a larger risk if something, such as an aerosol can, explodes with people in close proximity. If you do need assistance to get the flame going, you can use charcoal or lighter fluid, but keep it away from the fire after it gets going to prevent the container from igniting.

Extinguishing

Always put the fire out at the end of the night. Don’t leave it, even if it’s small and appears that it is going to go out on its own. Pour water, sand or dirt directly on the fire to put it out. Use a metal shovel to turn the coals and add more water if necessary. Don’t leave the bonfire until the pit stops smoking completely.

Bonfires are fun to have and allow individuals to interact and relax but need to be carefully monitored. Practice proper fire safety measures to ensure everyone has fun without commotion, but if the need arises, seek the professional restoration services offered by us at SERVPRO of Waycross / Hinesville / Douglas.