Tip for May

As the Spring season begins, our outdoor activities will increase dramatically.  Whether working in the yard or grilling hamburgers for the family on a Sunday afternoon, the need for increased safety awareness becomes more evident.

Each year, the fire service responds to an estimated 6,500 grill fires. These fires account for 150 civilian injuries, less than 5 civilian deaths, and $27.6 million in property loss. Together, these three areas account for two-thirds of all residential grill fires. Of these grill fires, 71% occur in residential areas. In residential areas, 63% of grill fires occur outside the structure, while 32% percent are coded as “structure fires.”

Grill fires occur most frequently during the summer months, their percentages increasing significantly in May (increasing from 9% in April to 14% in May). They reach a peak in July (16%) and decrease again in August (10%), and continue to slowly decrease as the weather

gets cooler. This pattern correlates with warm-weather outdoor recreational activities.

Statistic Summary

Ø      Each year, an average of 6,500 grill fires result in nearly$27 million in property loss.

Ø      Most grill fires are associated with residences.

Ø      Grill fires increase during the warm-weather months, corresponding to increased outdoor recreational activities.

Ø      As the public increases its use of gas grills, the number of gas grill fires has increased significantly, with a corresponding drop in charcoal fires.

Ø      Mechanical failure or malfunction is by far the leading ignition factor for grill fires.

A Fire Prevention Message from your Atascocita Volunteer Fire Department.