End of Summer Fire Safety Guidelines for St. Louis Residents

As summer winds down and back to school is in full-swing, it’s normal for families to want to have one last fun summer memory or adventure. Unfortunately, dry conditions and high temperatures can turn a backyard bonfire, campfire, or cookout into a fire hazard that can end your summer on a sour note. That’s why, Mehlville Fire Protection District is providing all our residents with these essential end-of-summer fire safety guidelines to ensure you and your family can enjoy your summer safely while also protecting your neighbors and community. 

Fire hazards threaten our residents and communities year-round. The Mehlville Fire Protection District is committed to reducing the risk for our St. Louis-area residents and educating them on forming summer memories safely.

Late summer in Missouri is often when we experience consistently higher temperatures and dry weather, which exponentially increases our risk of fire-related accidents. Being aware of these risks and taking a proactive approach is the first step to reducing your risk of a fire emergency at home and away. 

Wherever you are planning to enjoy a fire, whether at home or on a campground, simple fire-site maintenance and awareness go a long way. Keeping your yard and fire pit clear of dry leaves, fallen leaves, and other combustible materials and yard waste can help prevent your fire from spreading. We also strongly recommend that you store all forms of fuel and other flammable liquids in approved containers far away from any open flames or heat sources.

The most important fire prevention tip we can provide our residents is to never leave a fire unattended. You should never leave a fire unattended, no matter how large it is or how long you intend to step away. If you need to step away, ensure that there is another responsible adult left to watch and tend to the fire as needed during your absence.

While some families take end of summer camping trips, other families choose to stay home, and their safety is just as important to us. Here are a few guidelines to help ensure you, your home, and your loved ones are protected this summer.

• • Conduct regular smoke alarm tests—your home’s smoke alarms should be tested on a monthly basis and replaced as soon as they reach their expiration date. 
  • Create or review your family’s fire escape plan.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher or fire blanket readily available—key areas to have these tools readily accessible are in your kitchen, garage, and outdoor cooking areas. 

• Dispose of all smoking materials safely in appropriate containers.

• Monitor local burn restrictions and weather conditions before using your outdoor fire features—if it’s especially hot, dry, and windy that can significantly increase your risk of a fire hazard and it is strongly discouraged from having any form of open flame, cooking or otherwise, until these conditions have lifted. 
• Keep a safe distance from the fire—keeping children and pets away from grills and fire pits can reduce your odds of experiencing a serious fire emergency or burn injuries.

Outdoor gatherings are a key element of late summer get-togethers, and as fun as they are, they require a big of extra planning and caution. Here are our recommendations to keep your summer plans safe and fire-emergency free:

• Place your fire pits on a stable, level, non-combustible surface.
• Ensure all fires are kept a safe distance from your home, deck, fence, landscaping, and all other combustible structures.
• Never use gasoline or any other form of accelerant to start or revive a fire.
• Never leave a fire unattended until you are certain it is completely extinguished—it is important to note that embers can reignite if they are fed enough oxygen, so it is crucial that our residents are mindful of this before they leave any kind of fire unsupervised.
• If winds become strong or conditions become unusually dry, postpone all outdoor burning until it is safe to do so.

Grilling is a summer staple, but it also remains one of the leading causes of outdoor fires during the summer months. Whether you use a gas or charcoal grill, following basic safety practices can help prevent your summer fun ending with first responders at your home.

Here are a few tips on how to grill safely this summer:

• Before you light the grill, make sure that it is positioned a safe distance from your home and other combustible structures and is on a flat, level surface. 
• Never grill inside a garage, on an enclosed porch, or in any other enclosed space. 
• Before you ignite your gas grill, inspect the hoses and connections for any signs of damage or potential leaks. 
• Prevent grease fires by regularly cleaning and clearing your grill’s grease trays.
• Never leave a lit grill unattended for any period of time. 
• Ensure that all children, older adults, and pets maintain a safe distance of at least three feet from the lit grill. 
• Make sure to keep a fire extinguisher or fire blanket within reach while you are cooking.

Fire safety begins with education. That’s why the Mehlville Fire Protection District provides valuable community fire safety resources designed to help our residents and their families recognize fire hazards and prevent life-threatening emergencies before they occur. Learning how to identify potential hazards and prepare for emergencies helps create a safer neighborhood for everyone.

Closing the summer season safely begins with practicing smart fire safety and prevention habits. By practicing outdoor fire safety, using your gas and charcoal grills responsibly, consistently supervising campfires, and preparing your home for changing seasonal conditions, you can reduce your risk of fires.

If you have questions about fire prevention, contact the Mehlville Fire Protection District. Together, we can help keep St. Louis residents, families, and neighborhoods safe throughout the end of summer and beyond.