One of the perks of living in Colorado is enjoying the Great Outdoors. With spring right around the corner, many people will be firing up their outdoor grills in Denver and gathering around outdoor fireplaces or fire pits with friends and family. Before you throw that steak on the grill and collect your s’mores supplies, there are a few precautions to keep in mind to keep your home and family safe. If you haven’t spent much time in your outdoor living space since last fall, now is a great time to take a look around and make sure that your yard is ready to enjoy – and isn’t a fire hazard.
If your patio or outdoor kitchen is surrounded by grass, beware. Even with all of the recent snow, the grass in your yard could be dry and be a serious fire hazard. With Colorado’s generally arid conditions, early spring means your lawn may take a while to return to its green glory. Be mindful of the placement of your grill or fire pit. If you can, relocate your grill away from that patch of dry grass to eliminate the threat of heat and embers reaching your lawn. Try to keep grills or fire pits on concrete, stone-paver or gravel patios.
Although you put a lot of elbow grease into fall cleanup, it is likely that the elements have pulled a fast one on you. Between stray leaves falling from trees and dry foliage blowing into your yard, it is a great idea to break out the rake and take care of a few outdoor chores. Dry leaves have a way of finding all kinds of hiding places. Checking around your patio and clearing leaves from the immediate area is a wonderful first step. But remember, if you are using an outdoor fireplace in Denver, a gentle breeze can carry hot ash and embers across your yard before you know it. Taking the extra time to clean up dry leaves from under your outdoor patio furniture, beneath the bushes and around your fence line will ensure a safe environment.
Keeping your outdoor living area in good repair is an important step in keeping your family safe. Start the season by cleaning your grill and making sure that it is located in a safe area away from foot traffic and kids’ play areas. Empty ash from your outdoor fireplace or fire pit to lessen the chances of ash and embers blowing around your yard. Give your patio furniture a good once-over and always be sure that any furniture located near your fire pit is safe and flame-retardant. Taking these extra steps will create a safe and enjoyable environment for you and your family.
Having an outdoor living space is one of the true joys of living in Denver! There is no better way to enjoy the company of friends and family than being surrounded by Colorado’s beauty, fresh air and abundant sunshine – all while grilling up some burgers or hot dogs. Taking these extra safety precautions will make that getting outside (and grilling outside) is a safe and carefree experience.