HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – Firing up the grill and sitting by the campfire goes hand in hand with Summer in Michigan and the Holland Department of Public Safety Fire Services is reminding residents to properly dispose of ashes to avoid fires.
This past weekend, HDPS Fire Services were dispatched to two fires that were caused by the improper disposal of ashes. Coals and ash from from grilling and recreational fire can remain hot enough to start a fire for many days after you may think it is out. Many factors come in to play to determine if a fire is completely extinguished such as how hot the fire was, what was burning and how much unburned fule remains.
HDPS says the safest way to dispose of ashes is to place them into a metal container and wet them down. Keep the metal container outside your home and away from combustibles until the refuse is hauled away.
They also remind you to make sure the have smoke detectors in your home are working properly.