Expect the unexpected

7/6/2020 (Permalink)

firework fun

Summertime presents us with great weather, opportunities for family reunions, and more time with the family in general.  During this time, especially during a pandemic, entertaining your family during the summer can be a lot of fun!  From grilling your favorite summertime meal, to setting off fireworks at night, summertime involves a lot of activities that can become dangerous if safety measures are not in place and adhered to. 

     Next week will be the 4^th of July and many families will be shooting off fireworks, grilling and having yard events.  SERVPRO of Mason City would like to share some useful safety tips that could help prevent fire outbreaks. 

• When grilling and using lighter fluids and gas, make sure you are at a safe distance from your home and other structures, and that there are no flammable materials close enough to the grill. Keep an eye on which direction the wind is blowing and adjust, as necessary.  If using gas, ensure that connections are good and that the gas is turned off when not in use. 
• When setting off fireworks, make sure that fuses and wicks are long enough, adults are supervising sparklers and proximity factors, and that aerial fireworks are set off securely and at a safe distance from trees, homes, power lines, and other structures.
• Be sure to monitor yard torches using kerosene and other accelerants, and that their bases are secure with no hazards around them. Keep in mind that if a torch were to spill an accelerant, the fuel expelled becomes a fire hazard on anything that it touches. 
• When setting a bonfire, always consider where the wind is blowing and its speed. Bonfires need to be placed at a safe distance (at least 25 ft) from homes and other structures, and you need to have a fire extinguishment source at hand in case of emergency.  Some things to keep on hand would be sand/dirt and shovels, a fire extinguisher, a water barrel, a garden hose or anything that can be used quickly to extinguish fires.

Take time to enjoy the summer and the activities that come with it, but always be safe in doing so and consider these pointers when planning your fun filled adventures!