Fire pits make for an excellent opportunity for you and your loved ones to gather outside and spend some quality time together. Although the heat of the fire can be soothing, you mustn’t forget that it can also be dangerous. But does putting a fence around your fire pit actually make it safer?
Your fire pit doesn’t need a fence around it. In fact, you should keep the fire pit away from fences and other materials because they might catch fire. Putting a fence around your fire pit will cause more harm than good. If you’re worried about safety, consider using a spark screen instead.
When it comes to the safety of fire pits, there’s a world of protective options to consider. This article will discuss some of the top fire safety tips for fire pits, so be sure to read on.
Why Shouldn’t You Put a Fence Around Your Fire Pit?
You shouldn’t put a fence around your fire pit because it will catch fire if it’s too close. Most fences are made of wood, and wood is flammable. Different types of wood may react differently to fire. For example, some varieties might burn faster than others.
When lighting a fire in a pit, you want the area around it to be clear. That includes above the fire pit. So if a tree is hanging over, you should move the pit to another location where there are no obstructions.
Once a fire pit is burning, ensure everyone stays away from it to avoid contacting too much heat or sparks.
Top Fire Pit Safety Tips
Avoiding placing a fence around your fire pit is an essential safety tip–placing any fence near it will likely cause a dangerous fire, so you must avoid doing so.
However, there are a few other safety tips you should be aware of before starting a fire pit. Below, I’ll discuss all of them.
Use a Spark Screen
Now that you know about the dangers of using a fence around a fire pit, you might wonder if there’s anything you can do to prevent fire from spreading or spitting sparks. One thing you might want to consider is a spark screen.
These mesh screens are made for fire pits and cover the flames to keep everyone safe. Although using them is not entirely necessary, it’s undoubtedly a good idea.
An example of a spark screen is this Sunnydaze Fire Pit Spark Screen, available on Amazon. This fire pit spark screen comes in multiple sizes, so you’re guaranteed to find an option that will fit.
Spark screens are made of non-flammable material, so you don’t have to worry about them catching fire. They’re excellent and safer alternatives to fences, so you should certainly consider one for your fire pit.
Keep the Surrounding Area Clear
When using a fire pit, you want the surrounding area to be clear from any people or obstructions. Anything too close to the pit might catch fire, so it’s essential to remember this tip.
According to the official Raleigh city website, a fire pit should be at least 25 feet (7.6 meters) away from any structures, including humans. Staying far away ensures that people and objects are less likely to burn or catch fire.
And as I briefly mentioned earlier, this includes plants and trees. Unfortunately, trees can catch fire easily if they’re near a fire pit, so you should install your pit in an open space. If it’s a portable pit, place it somewhere without obstructions, including trees and plants.
Don’t Leave Children or Animals Unattended Near a Fire Pit
Another safety tip you should always remember is never leaving children or animals unattended near the fire pit. But this isn’t just for fire pits–you shouldn’t leave children or animals unattended near any fire.
As you probably know, children like to explore, and fires are undoubtedly intriguing to look at. If a child wants to examine a fire closely when you’re not around, they might put their hand in it and catch fire. The same goes for animals.
If you keep an eye on young children and animals, you can prevent these accidents from happening. And it’s not just children you shouldn’t leave unattended–you also shouldn’t leave the fire itself unattended!
You might be tempted to run inside for a moment and leave the fire pit burning, but things can go from good to bad in as little as a second. If you really need to leave the fire pit unattended, either put the fire out or get another adult to watch it while you’re gone. Never get a child to watch a fire while you’re busy.
Don’t Light a Fire in Highly Windy Conditions
If it’s a windy day, it’s best to postpone your “hanging around the fire pit” plans. Although fire can make you feel warm and cozy on a windy day, it’s not safe to create one outdoors in these conditions. If there are high winds, sparks can blow around. The wind may also spread the fire more easily.
Winds are one of the primary elements that spread wildfires. The wind not only blows fire around but also provides more oxygen, which a fire needs to thrive.
So if you’re tempted to use your fire pit when there’s a lot of wind, you should avoid it. If you have an indoor fireplace, use that instead!
Don’t Use a Fire Pit Indoors or on a Small Balcony
You should only use a fire pit outdoors because it needs open space to prevent nearby objects from catching fire. You should also avoid using a fire pit on a small balcony because fire from a pit would spread easily. If you have a large balcony that isn’t made of wood, it should be safe to use a fire pit.
If you want to use your fire pit indoors, it’s a bad idea because fire pits produce a lot of smoke and chemicals, including carbon monoxide. These chemicals can escape freely outdoors, but they can’t escape indoors.
So if you use a fire pit indoors, you may inhale dangerous amounts of smoke and chemicals–this can be fatal if you’re not careful. Fresh air and open space are always best when using a fire pit.
Should I Put a Fire Pit Next to a Fence?
You shouldn’t put a fire pit next to a fence because it might catch fire, especially if the fence is made of wood. Keep your fire pit approximately 25 feet (7.6 meters) away from fences to ensure safety. There are no fences you can safely put next to your fire pit because it needs open space.
Before installing a permanent fire pit, it’s essential to know all the safety guidelines regarding how far away the nearest fence should be. The further your fire pit is from a fence, the better.
As I mentioned earlier, keeping any structures (including fences) around 25 feet (7.6 meters) away from a fire pit is best. However, if a fence is more than 10 feet (3 meters) away, it will be safe.
The only exception will be if the fence is non-combustible. An example of a non-combustible material is stone. Since stone isn’t flammable, many fire pits are made of (and surrounded by) stone.
Should You Use a Fire Pit Cover?
You should use a fire pit cover when you’re not using your fire pit because it will provide protection. If you don’t use one, your fire pit will likely get damaged eventually. You shouldn’t use a fire pit cover when the pit is in use because the cover could catch fire, which is highly dangerous.
A cover will protect your fire pit from elements like:
- Rain
- Insects
- Wind damage
- Sun damage
An example of an excellent fire pit cover is this Porch Shield Fire Pit Cover, available on Amazon. It comes in multiple sizes, so you should find one that fits your fire pit. This cover is waterproof, protecting your pit from water damage.
However, you must never use any cover while a fire is burning–this is a sure way to start a dangerous fire. If you want to cover your fire pit while using it for added protection, you should use a spark screen (as mentioned earlier).
Best Place To Use a Fire Pit
The best place to use a fire pit is somewhere open with fresh air. You want to ensure there are no obstructions in the surrounding area to avoid a fire spreading. An excellent example would be a flat stone surface with no trees in the immediate area.
Here are some essential elements to consider when it comes to the best place to use a fire pit:
- Avoid using it on grass. Unfortunately, using your fire pit on grass is not a good idea. If you have nowhere else to use your fire pit, you should cover your grass before placing the fire pit on top. However, the grass might still get damaged.
- Flat surfaces are best. You should place your fire pit on a flat surface. That way, it’s easier to use and won’t lean over.
- Avoid using it on wood floors. If you have a wooden deck outside, you might think it’s an excellent place for your fire pit. Unfortunately, wood is highly flammable, so this would be a bad idea.
- Don’t use a fire pit in an enclosed space. If you have an enclosed space in your garden, you should avoid using a fire pit there. You need lots of airflow when lighting a fire, so small enclosed spaces are never a good idea.
Are Fire Pits Safe?
Fire pits are safe if you use and locate them safely. However, they can be dangerous if you use them too close to flammable structures or in windy weather. They can also be hazardous if you use them indoors or stand too close.
Like any fire, you must be mindful and aware of your surroundings when using a fire pit.
As long as you do the following, your fire pit should be safe to use:
- Keep any obstructions 25 feet (7.6 meters) away (including a fence).
- Ensure nothing is hanging above the pit.
- Place the fire pit on a flat surface.
- Only use the fire pit if it isn’t too windy.
- Don’t use a fire pit in a small space.
- Never leave the fire pit unattended.
Should You Use a Fire Pit Beside a Tree?
You shouldn’t use a fire pit beside a tree because the tree might catch fire. Be sure to keep the pit around 25 feet (7.6 meters) away from trees for maximum safety.
You should think of a tree as an obstruction, so always treat it like one when it comes to lighting a fire in a pit. If you have many trees and plants in your garden, it’s good to be aware of some of the most flammable types.
Here are some of the most flammable plants and trees that you should be aware of:
- Leyland cypress
- Ornamental juniper
- Rosemary
- Eucalyptus
- Certain ornamental grasses
So while you should keep all trees and plants safely away from fire pits, you should be extra cautious with the most flammable types.
How Far Should a Fire Pit Be From My House?
A fire pit should be around 25 feet (7.6 meters) from your house. Keeping it far from your home will ensure it doesn’t catch fire or get damaged by heat. Because of its flammability, you should be especially careful if your home is made of wood.
Never light a fire pit directly next to your house. If you’re deciding where to install a permanent one, make sure it’s around 25 feet away. Likewise, place the structure far away from your home if you’re using a portable one.
Conclusion
You should never put a fence around a fire pit. Fire pits need space and plenty of air, and using a fence would get in the way of this. On top of that, many fences are flammable, so using one is usually highly unsafe.
If you want to cover your fire pit while using it, you can use a spark screen instead of a fence. It’s a safer and more practical option. When not using your fire pit, you can cover it completely to protect it.
