Summer fire safety: 5 tips to enjoy the sunshine

As the warm summer days approach, you’ll no doubt want to head outside and soak up the sun. From hosting barbecues, going camping or caravanning, and just generally relishing in the sunshine, summer calls for enjoying a host of outdoor activities with your loved ones. However, amidst all the fun, it’s crucial to ensure you prioritise summer fire safety to enjoy a carefree season.

The risk of fire increases during the summer time due to a number of factors and with that in mind, we share five summer fire safety tips that will protect you and your loved ones from potential fire hazards, and ensure you’re informed and prepared for a safe and enjoyable summer. Let’s get straight into it.

1. Practice safe outdoor cooking

Synonymous with summer, barbecues and firepits are a brilliant way to socialise with your friends and family, and enjoy some outdoor dining. However, there’s potential for accidents to happen if the appropriate care and precautions aren’t taken. Following these key summer fire safety tips can help keep you and your surroundings safe, and enjoy your outdoor cooking activities with peace of mind:

• Never leave your barbecue or firepit unattended.
• Empty any and all ashes onto bare soil, avoiding disposing in bins as the ash can catch fire.
• Wait until your barbecue or firepit has completely cooled before moving or putting it away.
• Keep away from trees, shrubs, garden waste, fences, and sheds when in use.
• Be sure to turn off any gas taps before changing the cylinder if you have a gas barbecue or firepit.
• Keep children and pets away from your barbecue or firepit.
• Do not use your barbecue or firepit if you have consumed alcohol.

2. Avoid beach fires

Another classic outdoor activity to enjoy over summer is taking a trip to the beach. You may want to light a beach fire to have a barbecue and enjoy some food, however while this may sound like fun, it’s important to check local regulations as most local councils may prohibit beach fires due to hazards they present.

To be on the safe side, we’d recommend avoiding beach fires altogether as they can pose a significant risk of spreading and causing harm to the surrounding environment and wildlife. Instead, why not enjoy other activities such as building sandcastles, playing games, or simply soaking up the sun. That way you can protect the coastal areas and ensure everyone can enjoy a summer’s day at the beach.

3. Prioritise caravan and camping fire safety

Caravan holidays are very popular for people all over the UK, as is camping. If you’re planning to set up camp for a night or two, you might be thinking about having a campfire to sit around and relax on colder nights. If this is the case, fire safety should be prioritised in order to avoid accidents and ensure your campfire doesn’t get out of hand.

• Ensure your caravan is fitted with a working fire alarm and that it is tested regularly.
• Make sure your caravan is well-ventilated.
• Do not smoke inside your caravan or tent.
• If you’re having a campfire, make sure there are no low-hanging branches as these can catch fire easily and spread quickly if dry.
• Keep a radius of 8-10 feet between a campfire and tents, caravans, furniture, equipment, or food.
• Create a barrier around the fire with rocks.
• Never leave your campfire unattended.
• Keep water nearby to extinguish the flames and make sure it’s fully out before leaving it.

4. Dispose of cigarettes properly

One of the most important summer fire safety tips we can share is to always dispose of cigarettes properly. This means making sure they’re fully extinguished in designated areas such as ashtrays or metal containers to avoid dangerous fires from starting.

It can be very easy to simply toss a cigarette away anywhere, however in the summer months as the weather heats up and surroundings become much drier, this can be very dangerous. You should never throw cigarettes into dry grass, bushes, or bins as it’s these areas where they can easily ignite.

5. Maintain electrical equipment

Something that is often overlooked when it comes to summer fire safety is electrical equipment. Fridges, fans, air conditioning units, and music speakers are just some of the key electrical items used during the summer months and without proper care, there’s potential for fires to happen. Here are some tips to stay safe when using appliances and electrical items on warmer days.

• Inspect electrical items and cords for signs of wear and tear, and replace if you do spot any damage.
• Avoid overloading plug sockets and outlets.
• Keep electrical items out of direct sunlight to avoid overheating.
• Ensure electrical appliances and items are well-ventilated when in use.
• Switch off and unplug any appliances when not in use.
• Ensure annual maintenance of larger appliances to make sure they are in full working order.

Speak to us for your summer fire safety

Whether you’re indoors or outdoors, the warm weather summer brings can be enjoyed in whatever way you see fit – whether it’s a barbecue in the garden, a trip to the beach, or a caravan holiday. However, to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience, be sure to keep our summer fire safety tips in mind to help minimise the risk of a fire breaking out.

At City Fire Protection, we’re a leading provider of fire safety equipment including fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and more. Based in London and backed by the LS Fire Group, we can provide our services and products to businesses across the UK thanks to the help of our partner brands. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help you, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today with your fire safety needs.

Summer fire safety FAQs

What are the most common causes of summer fires?

Summer fires are often caused by barbecues, bonfires, discarded cigarettes, electrical faults from fans or air conditioning units, and spontaneous combustion of dry grass or rubbish. The increase in outdoor activities and warmer temperatures also contribute to higher fire risks.

Can high temperatures affect electrical equipment?

Absolutely. Heat can cause electrical equipment, especially portable fans, extension cords, and air conditioning units, to overheat. That’s why you should ensure all appliances are well-ventilated, regularly serviced, and switched off when not in use to prevent electrical fires.

How can businesses stay fire-safe during the summer?

Businesses can regularly test their fire alarm systems, keep exits clear, avoid overloading sockets with fans or cooling units, and speak to a fire safety professional to ensure their fire risk assessment is regularly reviewed to factor in seasonal activities like outdoor events or increased kitchen use for example.