The Do's and Dont's of Fire Pit Safety

Fire pits have become increasingly popular features for homeowners across the country. They allow you to entertain and enjoy the outdoors well after dark, in addition to providing a warm and cozy space on cool nights.

However, because open flames are involved, there are certain precautions to take.

In order to keep yourself, your loved ones, and your property safe, you should practice these safety tips when using or considering a fire pit in your backyard.

Whether you went the DIY route on this project or had a professional construct your fire pit, you should take note of the following tips

What to Do for Safe Fire Pit Handling

1. Build your pit on an even surface, as this will reduce the risk of flames, sparks, or embers escaping to surrounding areas.
2. Keep it at least 10 feet away from your home, other structures, plants, etc.
3. Learn about what is the best extinguisher for your pit. Sand or water is great, but you shouldn’t use water with a ceramic one. In addition, consider placing a fire extinguisher nearby for extra safety.
4. Utilize safety structures like fire walls or creating a barrier with stones to prevent sparks from flying out of the pit onto a flammable surface.
5. Choose a pit that is proportional to the size of your yard. Because if you have a small space, an oversized fire pit is not only unnecessary, it can be dangerous.

Building a fire pit may seem like an easy task, but any time you’re handling dangerous elements or you’re lacking specialized skills, it’s best to consult a professional.

Moving forward in fire pit safety, here are some things you never want to do:

What Never to Do with Fire Pits

1. Do not use gasoline or lighter fluid to start your fire, as these accelerants could lead to an uncontrollable fire – instead, use dry wood as kindling.
2. Don’t place your pit on a wooden deck, directly on grass, or under any overhanging – instead, use non-flammable surfaces like concrete blocks to keep it safe.
3. Never use river stones to construct your pit. These smooth stones likely absorbed a lot of moisture that will cause them to overheat quickly and explode – to be safe, look for dry and rough stones.
4. Don’t burn soft woods that can spark more. Also, avoid construction materials like plywood as they could potentially release harmful chemicals.
5. NEVER leave your fire unattended!

In addition, always ensure it is fully extinguished before calling it a night.

We hope these tips help you make safe choices and practices when it comes to your fire pit. We also encourage you to check your local laws and familiarize yourself with the fire codes in your area so that your pit falls in line with regulations.

If you’re already taking measures to ensure your fire pit and backyard are safe, why not get peace of mind knowing your home is safe too?

Call to schedule an inspection or book online with one of our experts, and we’ll make sure that your property is in proper condition!