It’s not vacation-time in Minnesota without trips to the cabin “up north” or families crisscrossing the state taking in the sights. And there’s so much to do; the possibilities are endless.
The Minnesota Department of Revenue reports there are about 124,000 seasonal homes. Explore MN estimates 18 million people annually visit our state and regional parks, resorts, and recreation areas; one-third during the summer. (I believe those stats seeing the traffic jams of cars, boats, personal watercraft, motorcycles, campers, and motor homes on highways heading north from the Twin Cities on Fridays!)
The safety of your family is important to Brothers Fire & Security, which is why we want to make you aware of fire dangers on the road and on the water as the summer winds down and Labor Day weekend lies ahead. The keys are to be aware and prepared.
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) reports that from 2014-2016 an estimated 171,500 highway vehicle fires occurred annually in the U.S., resulting in an average of 345 deaths and 1,300 injuries each year. A higher number of vehicle fires from May through September (44 percent) are probably due to higher temperatures and increased vehicle use.
Sixty-two percent of highway vehicle fires and 36 percent of fatal fires originated in the engine, running gear or wheel area. Sixty percent of fatal vehicle fires were the result of a collision. Careless behavior or accidental actions accounted for 38 percent of vehicle fires.
To avoid becoming one of those statistics, here are some tips to make your on-the-road expedition safe.
Fire on a boat can be devastating and frightening. There is simply nowhere to go except to jump overboard. If an explosion occurs, the damage can be catastrophic. In 2017, the U.S. Coast Guard reported a total of 271 fires resulting in 118 injuries and three deaths.
Fire ranks fifth among all boat losses, according to the BoatUS Marine Insurance Program. The majority originate in the engine compartment where electrical, fuel and ignition sources have a high likelihood of coming together to cause a fire. More than 25 percent of the time, a boat burns when something else goes up in flames, such as the marina (70 percent), the storage facility, or someone else’s boat.
To enjoy all that Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes and 92,000 miles of rivers and streams have to offer, here are preventive ways to make your water recreation safe. You should know all of this, but others may not. Everyone needs a refresher course.
If a fire starts onboard, BoaterExam.com advises you to:
And there you have it: A concise refresher course on summer road and water safety. As a matter of fact, these tips apply year-round for fall foliage tours, Christmas trips, and spring fishing openers. Brothers Fire & Security hopes you, your family and friends have a safe and memorable summer and Labor Day weekend.
As one of the premier providers of fire and security solutions in the Upper Midwest, Brothers Fire & Security strives to build long-term, value-added relationships. We work with business owners and property management companies, as well as all types of public institutions to solve fire and security needs. By taking advantage of our integrated bundled services, many of our clients find that they can save 25-30% on their safety services, annual inspections and more. From a single location to franchises throughout the region and the country, our integrated approach saves our clients valuable time, money and stress. We provide fire protection systems, security systems, fire sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, 24-7 monitoring, fire extinguishers, card access and kitchen hoods.