Fire expert warns: weed burners endanger our safety!

Fire expert warns: weed burners endanger our safety!

In summer, when barbecues and garden parties are in high season, the topic of fire protection becomes particularly relevant. Dirk Fritzel, an experienced fire investigator at the Wetterau Police Department, draws attention to a worrying development: weed burners used to combat unwanted plants are often the cause of many fires. Around 170 fires are reported in the Wetterau every year, many of which could have been prevented with simple precautionary measures. In a conversation with the Frankfurter Neue Presse Fritzel emphasizes that many people are not aware of the dangers posed by weed burners.

It is particularly risky to use these devices near thuja hedges, which consist of highly flammable components. A practical example illustrates the danger: A fire caused by a weed burner subsequently spread to a garden shed and ultimately to two adjacent residential buildings. In addition, smoldering fires that develop behind wooden facades can often only be discovered hours later, making the situation even more dangerous.

Sources of danger when grilling and in everyday life

It's not just weed burners that pose a danger. According to Fritzel, improperly disposed of barbecue and fireplace ash and the use of alcohol when grilling are serious risks. It is important that the ashes have cooled down sufficiently before they are disposed of. Fritzel also warns against using alcohol when grilling, as the resulting fumes can lead to serious injuries.

In Germany, the use of fire and hot materials on private property and in nature accounts for a significant proportion of the causes of fires. An overview provided by various institutes such as FeuerTrutz shows that there is still a lot of need for education in our society, especially when it comes to the statistics of the causes of fires.

Fire statistics: A look behind the numbers

Although accurate fire statistics for Germany are not easy to find, there is some helpful data that sheds light on the situation. The Institute for Loss Prevention and Loss Research has determined in an overview that fires often arise due to carelessness or a lack of knowledge. For example, the myth that a piece of glass in the sun can ignite grass has been debunked. Rather, there are often other factors that lead to a fire.

Given this information, fire investigator Fritzel recommends exercising vigilance and caution. Simple measures are often enough to prevent major damage. Disseminating knowledge about the causes and dangers of fires could benefit not only citizens but the entire community.