You have probably heard the words ‘safety first’ thousands of times. It’s because this is the case for everything, including your outdoor trash cans.
You may wonder what can possibly happen to them. But before you know it, there’s a fire hazard. So, it’s better to be safe than sorry, right?
Knowing some simple safety tips for your outdoor trash cans can be helpful. And this article is all about it. Give it a quick read, get familiar with some essential safety measures, and save the trouble of dealing with a hungry flame.
Tips to Avoid Outdoor Trash Cans Fire Hazard
I don’t have to tell you just how important it is to eliminate all potential fire hazards. However, you may need to determine whether something is dangerous. This is why you should follow the tips below and stay safe:
Keep Your Garbage Cans Where They Should Be!
The position of the trash cans actually matters a lot. They must be placed at a distance where they don’t create any disturbance for you or the neighborhood.
Additionally, the trash cans should be in a place close to your front door.
If you ask me, it’s ideal to position the cans at least 10 feet away from structures, fences, buildings, and, most importantly, flammable materials.
This distance helps prevent the accidental spread of fire to nearby objects. Embers or flames from a trash can fire can easily ignite a nearby structure or combustible material if they are too close. So, make sure to set the trash can in the right spot.
Opt for Fire-Resistant Trash Cans in the First Place!
Yes, such things exist, and they are trendy in commercial buildings. Fireproof trash cans are tailor-made to withstand high temperatures and reduce fire risks.
These containers are usually made of non-combustible materials such as concrete or metal.
Additionally, they have unique features like insulation or fire-retardant coating. These simple things help these cans withstand extreme heat.
The added layer of protection that comes with these trash cans prevents accidental fires and helps contain the spread of flames in case a fire occurs.
Properly Discard Flammable Materials
As you probably already know, certain materials like gasoline, paint thinner, or oily rags are highly flammable. This is why they should never be disposed of in regular trash cans. Gasoline is highly sensitive and can easily ignite.
Similarly, paint thinner and oily rags can spontaneously combust under specific conditions. That’s why it’s important to dispose of these materials properly.
Check if your community has a designated disposal facility or recycling center for these substances.
New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation provides clear guidance on this. They say, “Dispose of gasoline through your local household hazardous waste program. Contact your town or county government for more information.”
Only proper disposal of these materials can save your trash can from starting a fire.
Regular Maintenance is the Key
It’s impossible to know if you are slowly accumulating flammable materials in your trash cans. Not only batteries, but many other things can burst into flames without your knowledge. To avoid such dangerous risks, it’s mandatory to regularly empty the trash cans.
Even if you are careful not to dispose of flammable materials, accumulated waste can become a potential fuel source for fires.
To prevent this from happening, all you need is a schedule for trash collection and to strictly adhere to it. Not only will this help prevent fires, but it will also maintain a clean and odor-free environment.
Put a Secure Lid on Top of Your Garbage Disposal Unit
The trash can’s lids must be securely closed at all times. You never know when a spark, ember, or combustible debris might enter the can and ignite a fire.
What are the odds of this happening? More than you think. In January 2021, a fire ignited in a trash can outside a home in Oakleaf, Florida.
The fire was caused by hot fireworks that somehow got into the trash can. The fire quickly spread to the home, causing significant damage. (reference)
So, ensure the lids are securely closed and never open unless under close supervision.
Don’t smoke near Outdoor Trash Cans (Duh)
Chances are, if you smoke near a trash can, you will throw the burning cigarette right into the trash can. If this tiny spark comes into contact with any dry leaves or paper, it won’t take much time to ignite a flame. That’s why smoking near trash cans poses a significant fire hazard.
So, enforce a strong no-smoking policy for all individuals who may come near your trash cans, such as delivery personnel, waste collectors, or mail carriers. Most importantly, you shouldn’t smoke near the trash cans either.
Keep the Surroundings Clean as Well
Having dry leaves, branches, or other flammable materials around the cans can ignite a fire if exposed to a heat source. This flame can also reach your trash can.
To prevent this, keep the area around the trash can clean. Regularly sweep or rake the area surrounding the trash cans to remove any potential fire hazards.
If trees or shrubs are nearby, ensure they are properly maintained and pruned. Otherwise, your trash can be sitting beside a living source of fire, waiting for a slight spark.
Keep Safety Measures Ready
It may not always be possible to prevent a fire from igniting. However, in case an accident occurs, you can minimize the damage with proper precautions.
The first thing you need is a fire extinguisher. Have a fire extinguisher readily available near the trash cans to extinguish small fires quickly, even before they spread.
For this, you have to choose a fire extinguisher suitable for outdoor usage and keep it always ready for use. Well, only having it is of little use. You must know how to use it properly.
To handle fire properly, you must keep some fire safety equipment within reach. Installing additional fire safety equipment near the trash cans enhances overall fire protection.
Smoke detectors, fire alarms, or sprinkler systems provide early warning and help suppress fires before they grow out of control.
As you know, smoke detectors and fire alarms alert occupants and nearby individuals of a potential fire. This allows enough time to take immediate action. Sprinkler systems, if activated, can quickly douse a fire and prevent it from spreading further.
Additionally, you can always consider consulting with fire safety professionals to determine the most suitable fire safety equipment for your specific environment.
What helps the most is if every member of your family and neighborhood is properly aware of how to prevent outdoor trash can fires. Properly understanding these issues eradicates any possibility of such fire hazards.
If everyone knows what can lead to an accident, no one will do it intentionally. This way, you are safe from the fire and the trouble of handling the fire.
And That’s a Wrap!
You never know where a fire will start. But you know that a fire will consume everything in its path once the fire starts. That’s why it’s a must for everyone to understand how to handle and prevent outdoor trash can fire hazards.
If you have read this article, you know that proper positioning, regular maintenance, proper disposal, using suitable trash cans, and implementing other simple measures can reduce the fire risk to zero.
All you have to do now is keep these tips in mind and utilize them whenever necessary. Bookmark this article because you never know what will happen. Stay safe!
