Enjoy Fireplaces and Bonfires While Staying Safe

Cooler Weather: Controlled Fires Become Enjoyable

Longer and cooler nights make fireplaces and controlled outdoor fires (bonfires) more enjoyable. It’s hard to find a fire relaxing when the heat and humidity are keeping us hiding in air-conditioned spaces.

Look up the words, “bonfire” and “fireplace”. Dictionaries describe bonfires and fireplaces as controlled fires, but “control” is relative to wildfires, not to televised entertainment or other activities.

Even indoors, air currents can catch a spark and cause a fire outside the fireplace. That’s why the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) urges people to keep working fire extinguishers close to hand at bonfires and near the fireplace.

Fire extinguishers help save lives. Ambrose Godfrey, a chemistry scholar in England patented the first fire extinguisher in 1723. It was far from portable. Another British inventor (George William Manby) patented a heavy, but portable, fire extinguisher in 1818.

SERVPRO^® of St. Clair Shores values the safety of everyone in our community. We are sharing NFPA’s information about fire extinguishers with our neighbors in Macomb County.

• Safety is the priority. The primary responsibility is for everyone to get out of the house.
• Use a fire extinguisher only when:
  • The fire is confined to a small area (such as a wastebasket)
  • The fire is not growing
  • Someone has already called the fire department
  • The room is not filled with smoke
• Home users should have fire extinguishers that are:
  • Multipurpose (different types of home fires)
  • Light enough to handle
  • Large enough to put out a small fire
  • Tested by an independent company (will say so on the label)
• Know how to operate the fire extinguisher before an emergency
• Remember the acronym: PASS
  • Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and release the locking mechanism
  • Aim low
  • Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly
  • Sweep the nozzle side-to-side
• Know when to leave the house

Fire Damage: Large or Small

Even small fires can cause substantial damage. Smoke and soot travel with air currents so home and business owners find evidence of fire damage even in areas that fire never reached.

Call us at 586-741-5050. Our emergency services are available every day, all day.

SERVPRO of St. Clair Shores will inspect the air ducts to find all the damage. Both smoke and soot are corrosive and will continue to cause harm until they are removed.

Here to Help^®

Stay safe. If disaster strikes, call us and we’ll remove the damage and help restore your home.