Keep Backyard Fires Contained to Prevent Disaster | SERVPRO of South Atlanta

8/11/2022 (Permalink)

If you have experienced fire or smoke damage, contact SERVPRO of South Atlanta.

There’s no better way to enjoy a warm summer evening than by sitting around a fire in your own backyard. Scary stories, hotdogs and s’mores are just a few ways to create some unforgettable memories with your family.

We put our backyard fires to use for our own enjoyment, preparing a meal, keeping bugs away and as a way to clear out dead debris, but even the most contained fires still carry a number of hazards. The National Park Service states that around 85% of wildfires are ignited by humans.

Georgia experiences around 3,500 wildfires annually, with wildfire season running from February to May. The most common cause of wildfires in Georgia is yard burning leading to the spread of unintentional flames.

Of course, you can still toast your marshmallows, burn your yard trimmings, light your tiki torches and barbecue your burgers if local laws allow. Keeping a few precautions in mind every time you burn will allow you to continue enjoying your backyard fires and reduce the risk of hazards.

Recreational Fire Hazards

All open flames can be a danger, but campfires, fire pits, grills and fireworks are some of the most common causes of outdoor fires. Grills are responsible for around 8,800 home fires annually, usually due to improper usage. Before starting your grill, check propane tanks and gas lines that fuel your grill, and keep an eye on your grill during and after use.

When creating a campfire, find a safe area away from any buildings or debris, and only use a match or a lighter to feed the flames. Once you start your campfire, only use wood as a burning source and supervise embers even after you’re done making your s’mores.

Fire pits are an easy way to create a camp-like feel in your own backyard, but this equipment should be used with the same safety measures as a normal campfire. If you’re able to move your fire pit, you should never place it on a wood deck or near an area with an overhang.

While it might seem like an easy way to eliminate construction or household waste, you should only burn approved firewood.

If you plan on celebrating an event with fireworks, be sure to light them in an open area and give them room to land away from forestry, buildings or other debris. In Atlanta, you can set off fireworks between 10 a.m. and 12 midnight, with the exception of select holidays, which allow you to set them off a little later.

Other Outdoor Fire Hazards

Even with their risks, fire and flammable materials can still be put to good use. In the fall, if your yard collects a large number of leaves and you don’t have a waste disposal option, burning your leaves may be the only way to keep your yard clear of debris.

Before you burn anything, make sure your local authorities allow open burning in the first place. Understand any active burn bans, and apply for a permit if necessary. A summer burn ban is in place from May 1 to Sept. 30 in Atlanta. So, you should hold off on any burning until local laws allow it.

Clearing your yard of dead leaves and shrubs is a smart way to safeguard your home from wildfires, along with strategic landscaping to slow fires before they can reach your home. Knowing what is safe to burn and understanding the basic fire safety principles can help you keep any backyard fire under control.

We all use our sheds and garages to store materials like gasoline, but irresponsible storage can have disastrous results. Be sure to only store your gas in approved containers and keep your container in a location where your children cannot reach it.

You should only use gas for its intended purpose as well, so even if you’re having trouble lighting your campfire, don’t use gas for any help.

Before lighting any fire outside, make sure to check the local weather forecasts and local laws. If conditions are very windy or dry, reschedule your campfire and save the s’mores for a better day.

And if your home suffers any damage after a fire, contact the experts at SERVPRO of South Atlanta. Our team has experience restoring residential and commercial properties after they’ve been affected by damage from smoke and flames. We can work as quickly as possible to restore as much of your property as we can.

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.