Summer Fire Safety: Protecting Your Home From Grilling and Electrical Hazards

There’s really nothing like summer in New Jersey, the beaches, boardwalk, and backyard cookouts are famous across the nation. It’s a time when we give heaters, fireplaces, and heated blankets a break to enjoy the great weather. But that doesn’t mean we can forget about fire safety. Electrical hazards should still be addressed and some grilling safety certainly never hurt anyone. Read on to see how Paul Davis Restoration of Mid-Central, NJ can help you have another fun, safe New Jersey Summer!

Why Summer Fire Risks Demand Attention

Winter is when most house fires and cooking fires occur, but that doesn’t mean you can relax come summer. The summer months demand focused attention on fire safety because we do a lot more activities involving fire and heat in the summer. Grilling is the clearest example; campfires, fire pits, and other sources of open heat see increased use in the summer. 

Summer also puts us outside more often than winter or fall. That gives us less time to spot faulty wiring or other electrical hazards that could potentially become a fire. Not to mention the risk of more severe fires if there is hot, dry weather for prolonged periods of time. Early summer months can see almost drought-like conditions in some parts of the state. That combination can transform a small fire into a structure-threatening fire. 

Grilling Safety: Avoiding Flames & Fuel Hazards

Whether you’re grilling up some famous New Jersey hot dogs, or some fresh caught seafood, it’s always better when the grilling is done safely. On average, there are over 9,000 gas grill fires and another 1,300 due to charcoal grills every year. To help you get the best season of grilling yet, we’ve prepared some vital safety tips for this season:

• Get the grill on the ground: Structure fires are more likely to occur when the grill is located on a balcony or open porch. Make sure your grill is kept on the ground and a safe distance from the structure. A good rule of thumb is about 10 feet.
• Open the lid before lighting: If you have a gas grill, make sure the lid of the grill is open before lighting the gas to avoid the fire potentially blowing the lid off the grill, causing injuries and fires. 
• Never leave the grill unattended: With so much summer fun going on around you, it can be tempting to step away for a moment, but leaving the grill unattended increases the risk of fires. 
• Wait for coals to cool and check for gas leaks: If you have a charcoal grill, wait for the coals to fully cool before putting them in a metal container for safe storage. Pouring out still burning coals can quickly become a full fire if a summer breeze passes through. If you have a gas grill, check the tank and lines for leaks before using the grill this season. 
• Clean the grill after every use: One of the best ways to prevent grill fires is through a thorough cleaning of your grill after every use. Fats, grease, and oils left inside the grill can reignite or escalate a fire unexpectedly if the grill hasn’t been cleaned. If you’re in doubt before grilling, give it another clean first. 

Electrical Hazards: Identifying and Controlling Risks

The grill isn’t the only fire risk in the summer, though. Home electrical safety still matters, as summer conditions can create massive fires from even the smallest sparks. To keep your home safe, it helps to know what an electrical hazard is, how to identify them, and how to mitigate the risk they pose. 

What Are Electrical Hazards?

Electrical hazards are the dangers that can occur from malfunctioning or faulty electrical systems. Things like burns, electrocution, or arc faults that lead to fires are examples of electrical hazards. You don’t need to experience these hazards firsthand to identify them, instead, you can look out for these potential problems:

• Burning: If areas of the home smell like they’re burning, this might indicate a failing electrical system that warrants repair.
• Flickering lights: While a single flickering light might just be a failing bulb, a persistent flickering or multiple bulbs flickering could be a larger issue.
• Exposed wiring: Exposed wires generate the same amount of heat, but without the insulation that makes them safe. This heat could produce sparks and lead to a fire. 
• Degraded outlets: Outdated or damaged outlets can become hazards when they fail or when the energy use of the appliance exceeds what the outlet can handle. 
• Higher than usual energy bills: Unexpectedly high energy costs might indicate that electrical systems throughout the house are starting to degrade and are in need of repairs before they become threatening.

How to Avoid Electrical Hazards

Once you’re able to spot the early warning signs of potential electrical hazards, you can mitigate them through some important electrical safety tips. One such step is to plug major appliances directly into the wall rather than any extension cord or power strip. Extension cords in particular, are temporary measures that aren’t meant for everyday use. 

Another way to avoid electrical hazards is by only using one heat-generating appliance at a time and only having one plugged in at a time. This avoids additional stress on the outlets and cords. Also, ensure that cords aren’t running under any rugs, carpeting, or upholstery. If the insulation fails, this could be where a fire begins. 

Proactive Measures: Home Electrical Safety Inspections

Simple electrical safety tips and small fixes here and there are a great way to avoid some electrical hazards, but there’s more you can do if you want your house to be safe this summer and for summers to come. A great way to get started is with a home electrical safety inspection.

During an electrical home safety inspection, a qualified electrician will meticulously review your home’s electrical systems. This includes your wiring, switches, outlets, and appliances. The electrician will inspect your home’s electrical systems against local codes and provide recommendations if anything isn’t up to standards or could use upgrades. 

After the inspector leaves, you may want to begin the recommended work yourself. However, electrical work should only be done by qualified electricians. Electrical work can be dangerous. The work itself is risky, as are the effects of improperly done electrical work. There’s also the possibility that DIY work won’t be up to your state’s codes. New Jersey’s electrical code is just shy of 200 pages alone, and your city or town may have additional standards that need to be met. If you’re committed to keeping your home free from electrical hazards, using only qualified electricians is the best route. 

Summer Electrical Safety Tips Courtesy of Paul Davis 

Restoration services are the core of what we provide at Paul Davis Restoration of Mid-Central, NJ. But as your friends and neighbors, we’d much rather help you keep your home free from fire hazards that could threaten it. Whether you’re grilling up dinners, lounging by the beach or pool, or staying cool indoors, we hope we’ve helped you learn how to avoid electrical hazards and stay safe all summer long. Protect your home with Paul Davis today.