Tent Rental Safety During Events With Fire Hazards

Ahh… Independence Day has come and gone. You have done it all right – you rented the tent, fired up the grill, invited your closest friends and family, and had a stack of fireworks ready for nightfall. The Fourth of July can be a lot of fun to celebrate, but it can also be a time of disaster if you aren’t careful. Playing with fire and fireworks can lead to devastating – if not fatal – consequences. Be prepared to make sure you, your guests, and your tent remain safe during events with fireworks and other fire hazards. Tent rental safety is essential during this time of year, especially with fire hazards.

Tent rental safety with fire hazards

What goes up must come down. This includes fireworks. Sure, they are beautiful while in the sky. And, generally, most of the flame involved to ignite the colorful display dissipates before it reaches the ground. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

Sometimes fireworks are still burning as they reach their final resting place. Or, embers make their way onto roofs. Both can start fires. This is an absolute possibility for your tent rental, which is why tent rental safety is so important. While the fabric is strong enough to withstand a lot of things, fire is not something to mess with.

Wide Open Spaces Preferred

To avoid any issues with falling embers or other potential fire risks, you will want to be careful when selecting the location for your celebration, as well as the placement of the tent. If your location is in a rural area, then you will have more leeway when it comes to setting up. It should be fairly easy in this instance to set up your tent rental and still have the availability to move a great distance when setting off fireworks or grilling.

Holding your celebration in your backyard or a denser area could pose some planning issues. Despite your careful planning, neighbors or others may set off fireworks that could potentially land on your tent and cause damage. Keep this in mind, be aware, and take precautions – just in case!

Be Careful Lighting Up Nighttime Celebrations

While many outdoor celebrations start during the day, they may continue well into the evening. After all, what fun is it to set off fireworks while the sun is still out? Because of this, you are going to need to make sure that you have a source of light so you and your guests will be able to safely see.

Lighting can come in the form of electrical lights, solar lights, or candles. However, to ensure the safety of you, your guests, and your tent rental, you will want to take a few precautions based on your preferred selection.

• If you choose to go with electrical lighting, take the time to hire an electrician. Sure, it may cost you a little extra, but the ability to relax knowing that your wires aren’t going to spark a fire is worth it!
• Extension cords will come in handy. However, never overload them! Too many items plugged in together can increase the risk of an electrical fire.
• If you choose to go with candles, consider the flameless variety. It takes one clumsy person to knock over a candle and do some hefty fire damage to your tent rental. Not to mention its potential for hurting someone.

Watch Where You are Grilling

Tent rental safety also includes grilling safety. A grill is almost always a necessity at any outdoor celebration. After all, what would an outdoor party be like without the smell of a barbecue grill? Grills, however, can pose some severe safety concerns. According to the Nation Fire Protection Association (the NFPA), over 16,000 people were treated for grilling injuries in 2014. In addition, gas grills pose a greater fire threat than charcoal grills.

Heed these grilling safety tips:

• Never place your grill near any structures – including your tent rental. In fact, make sure it is at least 100ft from the temporary structure.
• Never use a grill (charcoal or gas) underneath the tent or any other overhang.
• If you are using a generator to run a cooking device, place the generator at least 100ft from the tent. Never, ever place it inside the tent.
• Gas (propane) tanks can act as dynamite if it comes into contact with fire. Be sure that you set off any fireworks away from the grill.
• Remember, smoke can cause damage to a tent, too. Be cognizant of the wind and distance from the grill to the tent.
• It is fun to decorate for any celebration. However, keep decorations away from your grill while in use.
• Never leave a lit grill unattended.

Be near a water source

Fire is a real possibility when fireworks and grilling is present. Therefore, you are going to want to have a water source handy.

• Consider setting up your tent in an area that is accessible to a hose.
• Always have a fire extinguisher or two in your tent rental.
• If possible, have your tent rental erected in close proximity to a fire hydrant.
• Make sure that your tent is accessible to firefighters, should the need arise.

Your tent is important, but so are you

Your tent is important, but so are you and your guests. Keep these additional safety tips in mind as you celebrate:

• Do not allow children to handle fireworks without adult supervision.
• If you light a firework and find that it is a dud, do not try to re-light it.
• Make sure all pets are safely secured or indoors.
• Read all directions on fireworks before lighting them.
• The person lighting the fireworks should be a sober adult who is wearing fitting clothing.
• Everyone else should keep their distance from the launching pad.
• Use a bucket of water to soak all used fireworks before throwing them away. This ensures that there is no remaining flame that could ignite a garbage pile.

Don’t give up setting up a beautiful firework display just because you fear the worst. As long as you understand the basics of tent rental safety, then you and your guests will be prepared and safe. Be prepared and be cautious and you will be able to face whatever the night brings you!