Summer is the season of grilling, camping, and nightly bonfires outside in the beautiful weather. While the typical summer activities bring family, friends, and fun together, any activity involving fire can cause injuries and damage if not dealt with safely. Here are some fire safety tips to follow to protect you and your family and friends this summer.

Bonfires

Nothing says summer like a bonfire in the backyard on a warm evening. Bonfires are a great way to bring friends and family together for a good time, but if safety precautions are not taken, it can lead to danger. Here are some tips for ensuring your bonfire is fun and safe for all:

Build bonfires a safe distance away from your home and other structures, such as garages, sheds, and trees.
Keep everyone a safe distance away from the fire and supervise children at all times.
Never start your fire with a flammable liquid.
Keep a hose or bucket of water nearby in case of emergency.
Always pour water on the embers before leaving the fire at the end of the night.

Fireworks

Fireworks are exciting and spectacular on a summer night. While the oo’s and ahhs show how enthralled everyone can be with the light show, fireworks can be extremely dangerous if not dealt with properly. Here are some safety tips to follow to make sure the fireworks fun doesn’t turn into an explosive crisis:

Make sure a responsible adult is supervising all firework activities.
Follow all local and state laws regarding fireworks and report use of any illegal fireworks to the police or fire department.
Wear safety goggles when shooting off fireworks.
Keep the fireworks a safe distance away from flammable objects and people.
Wet down fireworks after they have been detonated before disposing of them.

Candles/Torches

While candles are used year round, citronella candles and tiki torches are used primarily in the summer. They are great way to add ambiance and a bug-free environment to any outdoor gathering, but can be potentially dangerous if not monitored properly. Here are some tips to prevent dangerous situations with your candles or torches:

Never leave a candle or torch unattended.
Keep candles and torches out of reach of children or pets.
Do not burn candles or torches near flammable objects.

Keep yourself safe from fire-related injury this summer. By following these safety tips, you can ensure you and your family will have a safe and fun summer. If you have experienced injury in a fire-related accident, get the compensation and legal guidance you deserve by contacting a personal injury lawyer at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss Attorneys. Working with an attorney will give you peace of mind knowing you are in the hands of those who know how to help you. Contact them today.

Image courtesy of Alexis/pixabay.