Fire Pit Safety

Summertime is the perfect time to spend outside around a warm campfire with friends and family telling stories and roasting marshmallows. Unfortunately, without taking the proper precautions, a lovely night outdoors could quickly become disastrous. Please keep these simple safety tips in mind the next time that you plan on having a night around the fire.

⭐ Make sure that you fire pit is on a nice flat surface. This will help reduce the chances of the fire spreading.

⭐ Check the local fire danger level and weather report. If the fire danger level is high, avoid having a fire. Wind could also pose a risk. 

⭐ The bigger the fire, the bigger the risk. Keep the fire small and easily managed. 

⭐ Be aware of your surroundings. Keep the fire pit at a safe distance from objects, buildings, trees, etc.

⭐ Be aware of activity. Make sure that children and animals are not getting too close. 

⭐ Be prepared. If something should occur, make sure that you have quick and easy access to water and/or a fire extinguisher as well as a phone to call 911. 

⭐ Never leave a burning fire unattended. Fires spread fast. Do not take that risk. 

⭐ Put it out. Make sure that you know how to safely put a fire out. 

False Alarm

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Your smoke alarm is going off, but there is a good news. There's no fire! How could this be? Here is a list of some of the different things that may cause a "false alarm."


◯ Burning Food

◯ Candle, Cigarette, or Incense smoke

◯ Fireplace Smoke

◯ Power Interruptions

◯ Faulty Connection

◯ Small Bugs or Insects

◯ Shower Steam

◯ Furnace

◯ Dirt and Dust

◯ Low Batteries

◯ High Humidity


A false alarm may be startling and inconvenient, but it is not nearly as bad as a smoke alarm that does not go off when there is a fire. Please do not remove smoke alarms without replacing them. If you experience a false alarm, you can call your local fire department and request that they come out to access the situation. Remember that it is always best to be safe than sorry.

Prevent A Kitchen Fire With These Tips

Some of the most common house fires begin right in the kitchen. While this may not come as a surprise to you, did you know that most house fires occur on Saturdays and Sundays between 6:00-7:00pm? The months of December and January are also peak months for kitchen fires in the home. Here are some tips to keep you and your family safe in the kitchen. 

• Do not leave cooking equipment that is in use unattended. 
• Do not misuse cooking equipment. Carefully read the instructions and handle with care. 
• Properly dispose of broken or damaged equipment. 
• Watch yourself. Make sure that you do not have any loose or dangling jewelry or clothing.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Make sure there is no decor or combustibles in the area. 
• Be aware of others. Carefully watch children and pets. Keep them away from equipment. 
• Always remember to turn off equipment when you are finished.
• Clean up grease and spills when equipment is off and cooled.  
• Keep a fire extinguisher handy and learn how to properly use it in the event of a fire. 
• Have functioning smoke detectors throughout your home. 

Reasons To Have A Bonfire

Here are 6 reasons why you need to have a bonfire this weekend (like you need a reason)! 😉

• Kick off summer the right way with a good old fashioned bonfire! 
• Bonfires are a great way to bring family and friends together for some quality time. 
• Smores! 😋
• What better place to tell scary ghost stories than around a fire? 
• Watching the flames dance is the perfect way to relax after a long week at work. 
• The outdoors at night have so much to offer: starry sky, fresh air, sounds of nature.

* Please exercise caution when having a fire. Keep you, your loved ones, and the surrounding area safe. 

Grill Safety

Grilling season is upon us! 🍔🍗 Whether you use a propane grill or you use a charcoal grill, it is important that you know how to keep you and your family safe while barbecuing. Always keep an extinguisher close by, read your owner's manual, and follow these tips!

• Keep your grill positioned outside a safe distance from your home, deck railing, garage, tree branches, etc.
• Check for gas leaks.
• Do not allow children and pets near your grill.
• Be careful of loose clothing or accessories.
• Keep the top of your grills and bottom trays clean.
• Never leave the grill unattended. 
• Check the connection. Examine the propane tank and the regulator and cylinder. If the connection feels loose, tighten it. 
• Before using, inspect for rust. 
• Use the proper starter fluid. 
• When you have finished using your charcoal grill, let the coals cool completely and then dispose of them in a metal container. 
• *If something doesn't look, feel, or smell right, it is always best to turn your grill off immediately and have it serviced by a professional. If you smell gas, get away from the grill and call the fire department. 

Which One Is Which? (Continued)

Water Mist Fire Extinguishers (AC) should be used when you are trying to put out a class A fire with a potential for a class C fire. The nozzle sprays mist in a way that should not be harmful if there is a presence of electrical.

Water Fire Extinguisher (A), not to be confused with Water Mist Fire Extinguishers, are best used on class A fires. They work by releasing a water stream of up to 55 feet to soak your fire.

Class D Fire Extinguishers (D) are created to extinguish fires which involve materials that may be flammable. This type of fire extinguisher, also known as a Dry Powder Extinguisher, is not effective on other types of fires.

Wet Chemical Extinguishers (K) are best used in a restaurant kitchen environment.

Carbon Dioxide Extinguishers (BC) work by smothering fire with a layer of carbon dioxide which removes the oxygen from the fire. Carbon dioxide is a clean chemical. It is also odorless.

Which One Is Which?

It is important to understand that different types of fires are produced from different types of fuels. This is why there are different types of fire extinguishers. Choosing the correct fire extinguisher is essential for successfully putting out a fire. I will give a breakdown of different fire extinguishers available but you should remember that the best way to learn about fire extinguishers, fires, and proper fire extinguisher use is to participate in a fire safety course like the ones offered by Firesafe Equipment.

Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers (ABC) are multi-purpose fire extinguishers. They are also the most commonly used fire extinguishers. They can be used to put out fires that consist of paper, wood, electronics, and trash. In order to put out a fire, a light yellow chemical called mono-ammonium phosphate is used.

A Purple K Dry Chemical Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers (BC) is used for class B and C fires involving flammable liquids that are high risk. This is a good fire extinguisher to have handy if you are working with gas, oil, or other like chemicals.

Regular dry chemical fire extinguishers (BC), like Purple K Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers, can also be used on flammable liquids. They can also be used to extinguish electrical equipment.

A Halotron 1 Fire Extinguisher (ABC/Varying sizes) is a good one to use when trying to extinguish a fire involving electrical equipment. The reason is because it does not leave behind any type of residue. It discharges as a liquid before quickly evaporating. It is also considered to be environmentally friendly. It is not suggested to be used in situations where there is not electrical equipment.