Reduce Your Risk of a Fire This Spring

3/6/2023 (Permalink)

If you experience fire damage as a result of a wildfire, SERVPRO® of Pulaski & Laurel Counties can help make the damage "Like it never even happened."

Spring is finally making its way to the Somerset area! It can be a relief to us that the colder months of the year are finally behind us.

Now is the time to start preparing our homes for the change in season, the warmer days and much more time spent outside. With the arrival of spring and summer, it is necessary to take extra precautions around your home to prevent house fires and reduce your risk of contributing to spring forest fire season.

Keep Wildfire Fuel to a Minimum

Spring forest fire season is from Feb. 15 through April 30 in Kentucky. That means there is an increased risk of starting a wildfire on your property at this time of year, so there are different burning regulations and restrictions in place.

It is important to follow all safety guidance laid out by our counties and individual cities in order to keep your risk of starting a fire as low as possible.

Since spring is a great time of year to address any spring-cleaning needs and head into the warmer months with a fresh start, yard projects are common for a lot of us. This includes trimming trees, removing branches or leaf piles from around your property and shaping hedges or shrubs.

If you do any of these tasks, make sure you are not stacking the debris near your house. All that debris is fuel to a fire! Choose an area far away from your home or consider removing it from your property completely.

Address Your Garage

Be mindful about storing anything that is combustible in your garage. Any gas cans that have sat dormant during the winter have the potential to leak, so be sure to toss them right away and clean up any spills.

As the temperatures rise with the change in season, it can create a dangerous and high fire risk environment if there is any improperly stored fuel on your property.

In addition, now is a great time to give your outdoor grills and lawn equipment a full inspection. A small leak in your gas line or a dent in your propane tank can create a dangerous situation, and all it takes is a single spark to start a full blaze. Inspect the gas tanks of your outdoor equipment and address any holes or leaks as well.

Keep Your Vents Clear

With summer arriving, you may be doing more laundry since your children will be home and there are more opportunities to get dirty, go swimming or just have fun running around outside. Because of this, it is important to clean out your dryer vents thoroughly.

Lint can get caught within your vents and can cause your dryer to overheat or even catch on fire. If lint builds up and blocks the vents from working properly, it can even cause a backup of carbon monoxide in your home. Clean them frequently, and make sure the vent leading outside is free of blockages as well.

Reducing your fire risk is all about prevention! These simple steps can help you avoid either sparking a wildfire or starting a fire in your home.

However, we understand that disaster can occur in any circumstance, so we are ready to respond to your call for help when you need us. Our fire damage restoration team is available 24/7 to return your home back to its preloss condition as soon as possible.

If you suffer fire damage, know that you are not alone. Contact us at SERVPRO of Pulaski & Laurel Counties right away.