Although winter is more often responsible for fire damage in and around homes, the summer months shouldn’t be overlooked either. When things get hot outside, you should always be aware of the potentials for fire risk in your home and on your property. Check out the information we’ve put together for you below to help you prepare for whatever might come your way this summer.

Prevent Fires when Grilling

Although many times, a grill fire can be handled pretty quickly by just closing the grill and turning off the heat source, there’s always a risk that this type of fire can get out of hand very quickly. The best way to avoid the need for disaster repair in your backyard is to cut out the risks associated with fire damage as much as possible, so read up on our tips to help you remember how to prevent grill fires throughout the summer months:

  • Cut fat off of the meat before you grill it. Fat dripping into your grill’s fire will cause it to flare, so trim the fat first to prevent this.
  • Never grill indoors or even in a patio. You need to be outside with little to no covering or enclosure when you operate a grill—although a grill canopy specifically made for this purpose is usually okay. You don’t want to have to interrupt your cookout to worry about smoke damage repair, so always use your grill away from your home and in a well-ventilated area.
  • Always stay with your grill when it’s on. Even if you’re just heating it up, you need to be close by to make sure it doesn’t catch fire in the process. Do not abandon your grill and do not leave children in charge of watching it, either.
  • Always clean and maintain your grill for best results. A clean grill is less likely to start a fire, and a grill that isn’t broken or damaged and is operating correctly is also much safer.

Protect Your Home from Fireworks

You may not think of it when you’re having fun shooting off fireworks on the Fourth of July, but fireworks in residential communities can and often do start fires. Many people in the Naperville, Illinois area and beyond find that they need help cleaning up after fires that are started by fireworks. In order to reduce your risk of fire damage and make sure you don’t have to worry about fire restoration in the middle of your holiday celebrations, keep these safety tips in mind:

  • Always read the warning labels and any directions that come with your fireworks. Never, under any circumstances, use fireworks without knowing how to operate them or blatantly ignoring the safety information.
  • Never make your own fireworks or use illegal fireworks. Stick to the ones you get from a reputable source.
  • Keep water and/or a fire extinguisher on hand. It’s best to have both so you can put out any initial fires and then throw the remains of the fireworks into the water to be sure they don’t ignite again.
  • Always light fireworks from a distance and be sure they are not pointed at anyone or toward your home. Don’t shoot fireworks toward the roof of your house.

Protect Your Home from Extreme Heat

Heat alone isn’t going to start a fire, but it’s also not going to help the situation if a fire starts in your home, either. In some instances, extreme heat can cause damage that you’ll need disaster cleanup assistance with, too. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the possibility of very high temperatures in your home and prevent damage related to this type of heat:

  • Always insulate your attic space or eaves. Proper insulation can help keep everything cooler in your home and reduce the risk of damage related to heat.
  • Caulk your doors and windows. When you don’t have caulk around the perimeter of your doors and windows, you’re inviting hot air from outside to get indoors, which will in turn increase the temperature inside your home. The better your home is weatherized, the less likely you’ll have to deal with heat-related damage.
  • Use an attic door cover. If you have the type of attic door that pulls down, like many people do, a cover can help insulate the rest of your home from the high temperatures that build up as heat rises into your attic space.
  • Finally, use a good thermostat to keep your home at an adequate temperature even when you’re not there.

Put Out All Bonfires

Last but certainly not least, read up on bonfire safety to reduce the risk of fires on your property. Now more than ever, preventing the need for disaster restoration by practicing good bonfire safety habits is a crucial step you need to take during the summer months and beyond. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Always keep a fire extinguisher and water handy to put out any fires that get out of hand. You should also keep a bucket of water nearby for putting out the fire when you’re finished with it, too.
  • Don’t keep alcohol, gasoline, lighter fluid, fireworks, batteries, or anything else combustible near your bonfire. This can very quickly potentially cause a serious accident and may cause the bonfire to spread out of control in no time.
  • Put your bonfire out if you plan to drink much alcohol. Being intoxicated may prevent you from making wise decisions about bonfire safety.
  • Always put out your bonfire responsibly. Never leave it unattended. When you’re finished with it, spread the ashes to let them cool quickly, then pour water over them to keep them from reigniting. Put the ashes in a metal container for ash storage. You may also want to dump sand over your bonfire ashes to put them out. Just be sure you double-check that the fire is out and cool to the touch if you go this route.

Do you need 24/7 emergency restoration assistance or would you like to schedule a free estimate? If so, contact Restoration Techs at 1-800-600-3594 today.  We service Aurora, Naperville, North Aurora IL and surrounding areas such as Downers Grove, Elgin, Wheaton, St. Charles and Geneva.  Or fill out our contact form and someone will get back to you asap!