When Friendly Fires Turn Hostile

Friendly fire is defined as a fire that remains within its intended confines, such as in a fireplace or furnace, and is under control. In contrast, hostile fire is a fire that escapes its intended location and becomes uncontrollable.

As we are entering the colder months and into the holidays, certain activities can increase fire hazards that without supervision or maintenance can change a friendly fire into a hostile fire.  Prudent caution can keep a friendly fire from becoming hostile if proper precautions are taken.

• Service the furnace, fireplace and woodstove to avoid puffbacks and chimney fires.
• Make sure firepits are away from combustible structures and vegetation.
• Candles should be set far enough away from any combustible materials.
• Jack-o-lanterns on Halloween should be away from stoops and walkways where they can be kicked over or set costumes on fire.
• Grills and turkey fryers should be placed where they cannot catch fire and cause structure fires. 
• Bonfires should be far away from combustible structures and overhanging trees where hot embers can settle and ignite

As the seasons change behaviors also tend to change due to the change in temperature. It’s human nature to want to be close to the house where it’s more convenient, but unfortunately that is when the conditions are more likely to turn a friendly fire to hostile, things we do like having grills right out the door on the deck that are too close to the house, grills being used under a deck or overhang or in a garage or shed to avoid being snow covered, and using a turkey fryer on or in any of these are all examples of what the insurance industry sees as common causes of hostile fire losses during the colder months.