Summer Fire Safety Tips

During the summer months, people will inevitably spend more time outdoors enjoying the (hopefully) warmer and more pleasant weather. 

Many commercial organisations and businesses organise summer parties, barbecues and days out during this time, as a way to reward employees for their hard work and to enjoy the nice weather together. 

However, commercial fire safety procedures still need to be followed during these times – and the summer months often pose their own unique risks.

In this article, the team here at Millennium Fire Protection will outline some handy summer fire safety tips to keep you and your employees safe and free to enjoy the sunshine.   

lit BBQ in garden

Summer fire safety tips 

All fire safety risks should be listed in your company’s risk assessment, and if you’re planning any summer events that may contain fire hazards, then these should also be added. 

Let’s take a look at some of the most common fire safety risks during the summer. 

Barbecues 

Even the smallest hint of sunshine is often enough of an excuse for Brits to light up the barbecue, and it’s a popular choice of summer activity for many businesses. 

If you’re planning a barbecue this summer, there are a few mitigations you can put in place to ensure it can be enjoyed safely.

These include:

    • Check the barbecue is working – Before you begin, check the barbecue is safe to use. If any of the hoses are showing signs of wear and tear, are stiff, cracking or you have any doubts at all, do not use it and contact a Gas Safe registered engineer.  
  • Keep it in the right position – Ensure your barbecue is situated on a flat surface and is positioned away from buildings, sheds, trees and shrubbery which could all be flammable.
  • Keep a source of fire extinguishment close by – Ensure you have a bucket of water, a hose or even a fire extinguisher close by to extinguish a fire in case of emergency situations.
  • Change gas safely – If you need to change your gas cylinder, always do so outside. Gas is an extremely flammable and harmful substance and you should also ensure the barbecue’s gas tap is turned off before you change it. 

You should also keep an eye out for any symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning that could indicate a gas leak. 

These include:

  • Headaches 
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Breathlessness 
  • Dizziness 
  • Loss of consciousness

If any of these signs occur in yourself or others, immediately turn off the barbecue, evacuate the area and seek medical attention. 

If you’re using disposable barbecues, you should always ensure they are disposed of responsibly and that they are completely cold to the touch before you do so.

Firepits 

Firepits are an increasingly popular outdoor feature that are commonly used during the summer. 

If you’re planning on using a firepit, then you should be aware of the following tips:

  • Check the weather forecast – Before setting up the firepit, check the weather forecast. This will give you an idea of the wind direction and will help you position it in a safe place where flames or pieces of burning debris will not cause harm if blown away. 
  • Keep an extinguishment nearby – Just like with a barbecue, you should always have a bucket of water, hose or fire extinguisher within arm’s reach of a firepit. 
  • Only burn wood – Never burn chemicals, plastic, glass, rubber or general waste in a firepit. These items can become unsafe and may even burst, causing harm to those in the vicinity. You should only use kiln-dried wood in a firepit. Painted, coated or pressure-treated wood can release toxic chemicals as they’re burned.  
  • Ensure it is never unattended – Most accidents happen when no one is keeping an eye on the firepit, so always make sure it is being attended to by a responsible person. If alcohol is being consumed, make sure you and others are drinking responsibly. 

Cigarettes 

While smoking can be a fire hazard all year round, during the summer it poses particular risks. 

In hotter weather, cigarettes that have not been properly disposed of can be a fire risk, so it’s vital that employees stick to dedicated smoking areas and use ashtrays to stub out cigarettes when they have finished. 

It only takes a simple flick of ash onto a flammable source like dry grass for a blaze to occur, so employees should be reminded of this during the summer months. 

Who is responsible for fire safety in the workplace?

Fire safety in the workplace is always the responsibility of the building owner or manager, and this person is also usually the owner of the business. 

At Millennium Fire Protection, our team of expert fire safety professionals can help ensure you stay on top of your obligations during the summer months, and all year round. Our range of products and services includes fire extinguishers, fire alarms, risk assessments and much more. Operating across Harrow, Ealing, Watford and the surrounding areas, contact our team today to find out more.