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Fire Pit Safety Dos and Donts

With falls arrival and the nights growing cooler, homeowners across the nation are engaging more and more in the hot trend of bringing a warm glow to their patio by lighting up a fire pit. Outdoor living spaces are being enjoyed longer into the season by the warmth of the flame that a custom outdoor burning system can provide. Dont believe me? Well check out a recent article from the Wall Street journal indicating so.


So with this growing trend, we should cover some of the basic fire pit safety tips, the Dos and Donts of fire pits if you will. Careless use of a fire pit can lead to danger, after-all, we are playing with fire here. So here are some of the basics of fire pit safety:

Where to place your fire pit -

Choosing a safe place for your fire pit will help protect your home as well as your neighbors.

1) Don’t put your fire pit under trees, since the branches could easily catch on fire.
2) Find a flat location where you can set up your chimenea, fire bowl or fire pit – these enclosed fire containers are a much safer choice than simply building a fire on the ground.
3) Fire pits should be at least 10 feet away from any combustible surface or structure. If you have to place your fire pit on decking, be sure to purchase a protective mat for it.


Be prepared and Stay Ahead of the Flame for Safety -

Have the following items on hand to provide safety barriers between the fire pit and your home.


1) If you live in a windy environment, you should think about having a spark screen in place. Spark screens are a must-have for those with children and pets.
2) Considering how flammable your home and decking can be, it’s smart to have fire extinguishing agents on hand before you start a fire. Keep a pitcher of water nearby as you enjoy your fire pit, and make sure you have a hose or fire extinguisher as backup.
3) Have a poker or another fire-proof tool close by to help you move around logs in the fire pit. Never move a fire treatment until you’re sure it’s extinguished.
4) DON’T start a fire with gasoline or lighter fluid. These liquids are unpredictable, and fires started with them can easily get out of hand.
5) DON’T burn pressure-treated wood or any kind of waste in your fire pit, as these items can release noxious fumes.
6) DON’T leave a fire unattended, even for a second.
7) DO wait at least 24 hours before scraping ashes into bags for disposal. Otherwise you risk having burning embers catch fire in your waste container.
8) DO burn seasoned wood and charcoal.
9) DO spread ashes out over a large surface area and douse them with water to put the fire out. Monitor the ashes to be sure they are completely out before you walk away.
10) DO keep fires small; fires are harder to control as they grow in size.
11) DO clear a 10- to 20-foot radius around your fire pit. Remove any debris, dead leaves or anything else that could catch on fire.

If you have any other questions regarding fire pits or fire pit safety, feel free to contact us at any time and well be happy to help - 1-877-556-5255