Fire pit safety

5/23/2019 (Permalink)

Don't have your summer ruined by your fire pit.

When summer arrives, you may get excited about the idea of relaxing by the fire pit in your backyard, enjoying the warm glow of a fire. But there can be safety concerns if it is not placed in the right area, or if the fire pit is not built properly. Here is a list of Do’s and Don’ts to make sure that you have a fun summer with your fire pit.

Do: Make sure your surface is level before building your fire pit. It reduces the risk of a log rolling out of the pit.

Do: Build your fire pit at least 10 feet from your home, fences, trees, and bushes. Building it closer increases the risk of fire damage.

Do: Make sure your guests keep a proper distance from your fire pit. Keep a close eye on children and pets.

Do: Check the weather forecast before building a fire, to ensure that it will not be excessively windy. You don’t want wind-driven embers or flames spreading to your trees, bushes, or home.

Do: Once you’ve extinguished your fire, gently stir the ashes to until they are cooled down.

Don’t: Don’t start your fire using gasoline or lighter fluid, if avoidable. A fire started with liquid accelerants can easily get out of control. When possible, use dry kindling instead.

 Don’t: Don’t use river stones in the construction of your fire pit. Smooth stones from the river may have absorbed moisture over time, and when they are heated quickly, they can explode. It is best to use dry, rough stones.

Don’t: Don’t leave a fire unattended. Having someone present with the fire at all times ensures that if the fire starts to spread outside the pit, it can quickly be extinguished.