According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a home structure fire was reported every 88 seconds in 2022. Even worse is that associated injuries occurred every 53 minutes and associated deaths occurred almost 3.25 hours.
You might think, “As long as I keep my fires outside, I should be fine, right?” Well, we’ve got bad news: yard fires can be just as dangerous, and yes, this includes fire pits.
Fortunately, a little education can go a long way. Read on for a thorough review of fire pit safety so you can rest easy the next time things get heated.
NOTE – This article focuses primarily on wood-burning fire pits but the points are relevant to gas, ethanol and other fuels too.
Choose the Right Location
It may seem obvious, but you should place your fire pit at a safe distance. In general, you should aim for 10 to 20 feet away from your home, as well as:
- Trees
- Fences
- Other structures
Not only that, but the fire pit should be on a flat and non-flammable surface, such as stone or concrete. Avoid grass or wooden decks. Up top, ensure that there are no low-hanging branches or power lines that can catch fire.
Use the Right Materials
What your fire pit is made of and what you burn in it is important.
Fire pit construction
Always buy a fire pit that’s made of safe and non-flammable materials. Excellent choices include:
- Steel
- Cast iron
- Brick
Firepit fuel
If your fire pit burns seasoned wood, stick to ones like oak and maple. Hickory is a good choice too.
On the other hand, avoid burning things like:
- Treated wood
- Garbage
- Leaves
- Plastics that can release toxic fumes
If your fire pit uses propane, natural gas, bio-ethanol or any other types of fuel, then the number one thing to remember for home fire pit safety is to use the fuel as directed by the manufacturer. Never use gasoline or lighter fluid to start or accelerate the fire.
Check Local Regulations and Get Permits
Some areas require permits or have specific regulations about fire pits. There’s a good reason for these laws and regulations, so do your due diligence to comply with local guidelines.
During certain times of the year, there may also be burn bans. If your area’s been dry or is going through a drought, then it’s likely there may be a burn ban in effect. Always check before using your fire pit.
Prepare a Safe Fire Pit Area
In addition to choosing safe materials for your fire pit, you should also have a surrounding barrier. You can use a metal fire ring or bricks to contain the fire within the pit.
Plus, remove any dry leaves, twigs, or other debris within a 10-foot radius. This ensures that nothing small will catch on fire if the wind picks up.
On that note, you should avoid lighting a fire on windy days. Embers can spread easily with gusts, so postpone your s’mores day if there are heavy winds.
Practice Safe Behavior
When setting up your chairs or seating arrangements, you should designate a safe zone. The pieces should be at least three feet away from the fire pit.
If possible, you should avoid wearing loose clothing too. Long and dangling clothes and accessories can catch fire, so the best route is to wear fitted clothing.
Monitor the Fire
We can’t stress enough how important it is to never leave the fire unattended; this is one of the most important backyard fire pit safety tips we can give. Always have an adult present to supervise, especially if children and pets are around. Strive to keep them at a safe distance so there’s little risk of them being hurt by the fire.
In addition, control the flames. Keep the fire small and manageable, with flames no higher than 2-3 feet.
You should also keep a water source ready in case the fire gets out of control. The following are good to have for emergencies:
- Bucket of water
- Bucket of sand
- Connected hose
Properly Extinguish the Fire
When it’s time to call it a night, you should allow the fire to burn down naturally until only ashes remain.
But that’s not enough to make sure your family’s safe. In addition, you should pour water over the ashes and stir them with a shovel to double-check that all embers are fully extinguished.
As a last measure, put your hand near the ashes. If they’re cool, then it’s ok to leave the area.
Have Emergency Preparedness
No matter how good you are with backyard fire pit safety, things can still go wrong at any moment. for this reason, you want to be thoroughly prepared to handle any emergency.
To do this, keep a fire extinguisher nearby that’s rated for outdoor use. Everyone should know how to operate it so that if an actual emergency happens, they know what to do.
Know the Five Points of Fire Safety
Everyone in your household should know the five points of fire safety. They are:
- Prevention
- Fire detection and alerts
- Fire containment
- Evacuation plans
- Emergency response
Most of these points were covered in detail in the above sections, but here are some additional tips that can help with fire pit on-deck safety.
Consider using a mesh screen to cover the fire pit and contain embers while allowing airflow.
Ensure no obstacles are in your seating areas and pathways around the fire pit. This will allow you to exit quickly if the fire becomes unmanageable.
Lastly, not only should everyone in your household be trained to use a fire extinguisher, but to also put out fires effectively after you’re done outside.
Practice Good Fire Pit Safety in Your Home
Fire pit safety is essential if you want to play with fire, even if it’s outdoors. The reality is that fires can get out of control and spread quickly, so you want to do everything in your power to prevent that from happening.
By following these fire pit safety guidelines, you and your loved ones will stay safe while enjoying many nights under the stars. Just remember to be vigilant and never get complacent, as you never know how a fire will behave.
Check out our fire pits! We also have tons of comfortable patio furniture to keep you comfy.
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