TOP FIVE WAYS TO PREVENT A SUMMER FIRE

5/16/2019 (Permalink)

With summer quickly approaching next month, it’s important to remain aware of the most common fire risks in order to prevent fire damage in your Long Beach home or business. With these helpful tips, we hope you have a safe and enjoyable summer, free of smoke and fire damage. 

Grilling

Summer is the time for grilling, but a careless cook may pose a danger to your residence. To avoid common problems while operating a barbecue, maintain a “safe zone” of at least three feet around grills. Never leave a grill unattended and remember to drench all coals with water once you are finished. Afterwards, clean the grill thoroughly and remove all grease buildup to ensure a safe grill for the next barbecue.

HVAC Systems

As we use our air conditioning more during the summer, dust can accumulate and settle over capacitors and other electronic components, resulting in fires. Keep an eye on dust build-up, replace filters as needed, and avoid running multiple cooling units at the same time for extended periods of time.

Damaged Wires

During the winter and spring, pests and rodents tend to invite themselves into homes and might decide to snack on our wiring. It’s a good to check on rarely used wiring and make sure it hasn’t been chewed through by unwanted guests.

Storage

As many homeowners use poisons for pests during the summer and host barbecues, flammable liquids such as propane, lighter fluid, and poisons can become a summer fire risk if they are not properly stored. They should be stored outdoors, preferably in a building not attached to your home, and never in a hot car.

Fireworks

While all fireworks are illegal in the city of Long Beach, Lakewood does permit safe and sane fireworks this year. If you decide to light fireworks in Lakewood or the surrounding cities, maintain careful supervision and use the fireworks only as directed. If a firework does not respond to a lighter the first time, do not attempt to re-light the firework; instead douse it with water and move to the next one. 

Understanding the common causes of fires during the summer can help you prevent fire damage before it happens. At SERVPRO of Downtown Long Beach/Signal Hill, we’re ready to help reverse the damaging effects of fire and smoke. If you ever find yourself in need of a fire restoration team, we’re here to help; call us anytime at 562-591-1788.