There’s nothing that we love more here at Florida Dry than a fun-packed day of lighting fireworks and eating freshly grilled burgers, chicken, and hot dogs. Fireworks can be an incredible sight to see when done safely but every year there are unfortunate disasters that occur when a home or building catches fire as a result of poor fire safety practices. The most important thing to remember this Fourth of July is to be mindful of the dangers that fires can pose whether you are lighting fireworks or cooking over an open fire. Here are 4th of July Fire Safety Tips to follow from Florida Dry.
4th of July Firework Safety Tips
There are a few different causes for home fire disasters that occur around the 4th of July festivities. By far the most common cause of home fires over the Independence Day weekend are rogue fireworks. Here are a few firework safety tips suggested by the US Fire Administration.
Make Sure That Fireworks Are Legal in Your Area
First and foremost, make sure than any fireworks that you use are legal in your area. Some local governments have strict laws regarding which fireworks are approved to be used legally. Some fireworks, like mortars, require special permits to be acquired for use.
Do not light fireworks anywhere near flammable materials, buildings, or trees.
Adult Supervision
Never let children ignite fireworks unattended and unsupervised. When a child lights fireworks unsupervised, there is always the risk that they will either hurt themselves, a bystander, or accidentally launch a firework in the direction of a building. In order to prevent injuries or property damage, it is best to always have an adult handle the fireworks while children watch from a safe distance.
If you must, establish a kid/pet free zone from where the fireworks will be lit.
Keep a Fire Extinguisher Near By
You never know when an accidental fire will happen, so it’s important to prepare yourself for it just in case! Keep a fire extinguisher or a bucket of water close by in the event that you need to put out a fire that starts while you are lighting off fireworks for the family.
Don’t Relight Duds
If you light a firework and it fails to go off, don’t try to relight it. You never know if it is going to go off or not. It is best to get it wet and move on to the next firework.
Don’t Light Fireworks in a Bucket or Container
It should go without saying, but under no circumstances should you attempt to light fireworks while they are in a container, especially not one made from metal or glass. Fireworks are explosives, albeit small ones, but an explosion could send debris flying in your direction.
BBQ Fire Safety
Apart from fireworks, there will also be a fair amount of grilling that goes on around the 4th of July. Always remember to grill with caution. BBQ Fire Safety are a big part of 4th of July Fire Safety Tips.
1. BBQ in open spaces – never grill under a shade cover or trees. It is best to grill in open spaces where there is no risk of a spark or flame from jumping and starting a fire.
2. Change the grease trays every so often – grease can be very flammable and grease fires can be difficult to contain once they start. Keep an eye on the grease trays in your grill and swap them out regularly to prevent a grease fire.
3. Again, establish a kid-free zone – Kids love to run around and play, but you should be mindful of where they are running. Designating a child-free zone near the grill will prevent a child from accidentally knocking the grill over.
