Fire sprinklers can protect the interior of the house, but a fire can start outside and work it's way in. Having sprinklers cannot protect your home and family as easily so it's important to maintain the outdoor areas as well. Here are some tips from Fire Safe House.com on making sure the outside of your home is as protected as the inside:

Stored Firewood

"Storing wood in your backyard requires that you follow the basic fire prevention rules to minimize the chance that wood will catch fire that may lead to a larger scale disaster. If you make sure to maintain your wood safely, you can reduce the occurrence, size, and intensity of a fire. As a first line of defense, create a 30 feet safety clearance around stored wood. A green lawn is a good safety parameter, as long as clean of fire catching debris."

Roofing Materials

"In the past, roofs were built of hazardous, flammable materials and many home losses were a direct result of the roof catching fire. Nowadays, there are new trends that promote fire safety. Consider using non-combustible roofing materials. When building or replacing the roof. Non-combustible materials include class A shingles, metal, or terra cotta. If you don’t have plans to rebuild your roof any time soon, you can still treat it with fire retardant processes and reduce roof flammability."

Barbecue Grills

"Barbecue frills require maintenance. Clean your grill and keep it free of dirt and debris build ups. You will find it easier to clean the grill after every use and remove dust and cobwebs before they build up. Check your hose and confirm it is in good condition and cracks free. Never use damaged propane tanks."

Outdoor Plants

"As there are some plants that ate more fire resistant than others, it is smart to plant these plants in the safety zone. Even with this kind of plants you must remove dry leaves, dead limbs, twigs and debris to prevent them from fueling a small fire into a more intense fire. Thin out trees and keep a fifteen feet space between crowns. This will help reducing the chance of fire spreading. If you own high trees or cannot perform this job yourself, hire a professional to do that for you. In addition, remove limbs and dead branches from 6 to 10 feet of the ground to prevent fire from spreading from the ground to the trees."

If you need to have your home inspected by a fire safety professional, or you would like to have fire sprinklers installed in your home for added protection, you can find help for free. On ConstructionDeal.com. Simply post your inspection request and a network of fire safety companies will come out to your home to assess your needs. It's fast, simple, and free to use our service.

Labels: Fire Dangers, Fire Safety, Outdoor Fire Safety