Do you own a fire pit and want to know how to keep everyone safe? Your family, friends, and four-legged friends will thank you for making your outdoor get-together safe, fun, and free of mishaps.
Place your fire pit at least ten feet away from structures like your neighbor’s or your own home. Keep fire pit accessories away from curious children and pets. The best way to extinguish the fire is to dunk the flames until the hissing sound stops. It takes a total of 24 hours for the area to be safe.
Backyard fire safety is paramount when you have a fire pit. Ensure your guests do not experience any accidents during your soiree by following some fundamental rules, and some ones you may not have thought of. In this article, you will learn about fire pit safety for your family, friends, and pets to protect everyone.
Basic Fire Pit Safety
Nothing is more exquisite than a clear summer night under the stars with the burning flame of a well-placed fire pit. Even the chill of wintertime is pleasant for outdoor parties or small gatherings. Come to think of it, a cool fall night or spring evening is also ideal. But when you have a fire pit, you must adhere to proper fire pit safety all year round. The following includes some basic fire pit safety rules:
Check the Weather Before You Light
You should always check the weather before you light the fire pit. Whether you are having a campfire and roasting marshmallows to make chocolatey, gooey smores or want a romantic evening with your date, safety considerations are always present.
What to check first:
- Location
- Air quality
- Wind speed
- Wind direction
Windy days can make lighting the fire pit difficult, and sparks can hit surrounding structures, inadvertently causing a fire. Embers and flames can carry and spread a fire. You may want to keep a wind gauge handy. If the wind speed is over five miles an hour, it might not be the best night to light your fire pit.
You do not want to reenact the Wizard of Oz, but the right location protects your fire pit from gusty winds. If you choose the ideal location, it can help your fun-filled night with the fire pit be a safe one.
How to Safely Have a Fire Pit in Windy Conditions
There are ways to burn your fire pit in windy conditions. Assuming you have already painstakingly gone to the trouble of setting up your party and have cooked all the food to entertain your guests. You do not want to cancel, but you also want to have a safe time.
You can move the fire pit next to a windbreak in any wooded area or around the side of your house. You can also stand around the fire pit to block the wind or slow it down. You can also cover your fire pit with a lid, which will make it unable to reach the fire.
Use Only Specific Types of Wood
The best wood to burn when you have a firepit is untreated wood. Well-seasoned wood reduces the amount of smoke that comes from the fire. The goal is to stay warm and cozy with very little smoke. Some examples of good firewood to use in a fire pit:
- Oak
- Ash
- Maple
- Hickory
Not only are these hardwoods safer, but they also burn hotter and longer. Do not use softwoods like pine or cedar because they spark easier, which can result in a fire. You want as little smoke as possible. It’s better for your lungs.
Do Not Get Inebriated and Tend to the Fire Pit
As tempting as it is to drink alcohol during your outdoor get-togethers, do not drink when you are close to a fire pit. Not only is it not good for you to be inebriated when something as potentially dangerous as fire is involved, but it can also impair your judgment and, therefore, affect your ability to keep a close eye on your fire pit.
You may lose your coordination if you have been drinking around a fire pit. Alcohol is also highly flammable. Any alcohol that states on its label that it is above 100 proof can be dangerous. For example, drinking Everclear around a campfire is neither advisable nor a sage idea.
Fully Extinguish the Fire
The fire is not entirely extinguished just because you have doused the area with water and the party is over. A fire is not completely out until 24 hours past the point of it being extinguished. The first thing to do is to put the fire out with water. You can also use sand or dirt to extinguish your fire pit. Materials you can potentially use to extinguish the fire:
- Metal shovel
- Metal bucket
- A large bucket of water
- Cornstarch or a pot lid (optional)
You also want to dunk the flames until you no longer hear the hissing sound. Scrape the fire pit to eliminate any remaining embers. Keep your children and pets away from the scene for 24 hours. Even ashes that are two or three days old can retain enough heat to start a fire. They should be placed in a metal can used exclusively to store the ashes.
Use a Protective Fire Pit Cover
Extinguish all the rocks and wait until the fire pit has cooled prior to covering the fire pit. If you put the fire pit cover on it prematurely, the cover can melt, and you can even damage the fire pit. Make sure any rocks you may have surrounding the fire pit have cooled down completely. Put your hand close to the objects to see if they are still hot.
Store Fire Pit Tools Safely
You must keep fire pit tools and accessories like pokers, tongs, and fire glass at a safe distance from children and pets. Properly dispose of matches and keep lighters out of reach. Also, be careful when disposing of partially burned firewood. The wood can cause burns.
Get a Fire Pit Table with a Glass Wind Guard
Speaking of fire pit accessories, get a fire pit table with a glass wind guard. They block the wind and give you an excellent safety barrier between your guests and the fire. The purpose of a glass wind guard is to protect and contain flames that come from a fire pit. Different types of glass wind guards:
- Round wind guard
- Square wind guard
- Linear wind guard
- Rectangular wind guard
Essentially, a glass wind guard blocks the wind, preventing fires. You can also get a glass or folding glass wind guard. The glass wind guard can be used as a burner cover when folded. Tempered glass can withstand extreme heat, and it protects the burner when it is not being used.
Take Precautions When a Fire Pit is On a Patio
Fire pits are even more fun when used on an outdoor patio or living space. You can get special furniture, specifically when you have a fire pit. Many home improvement stores have fire pit pads that were made to protect deck or patio furniture like chairs. You can even make pads out of rocks, bricks, or metal. You must also ensure that your fire pit is installed and used properly.
Fire pit pads also protect your deck, especially if your deck is made of wood. It prevents any falling embers from triggering a fire. Use the stand that the fire pit comes with. Set the fire pit on non-combustible surfaces only. Fire pit spark screens can prevent any flying sparks. It prevents glowing embers from affecting anyone nearby, including children and pets.
Use the Correct Fire Pit Fuel
For gas fire pits, always use the right fuel. Consult the pit manufacturer for the correct fuel. This will ensure that the fire pit runs the way it is supposed to and is safe to use. Using the proper fuel sources also helps maintain your fire pit’s longevity. Using the wrong fuel can lead to other problems: ‘
- Health problems
- Insufficient heat
- Excessive smoke
- Damage to the fire pit
Using the wrong fuel for fire pits has been correlated with respiratory problems and exacerbating asthma. Propane and natural gas fire pits need the use of a certain kind of fuel. Propane fire pits use LP gas or liquid propane. Natural gas fire pits use a straight line fixed to your home’s natural gas source.
Gas Fire Pits Are Safer to Use
Gas fire pits are safer to use compared to wood-burning fire pits. They burn efficiently without the need to feed wood or other materials to maintain the fire. Gas fire pits do not pose the same risks because there are no flying sparks or unruly flames to worry about. Gas fire pits present less of a fire hazard. However, they still need to be inspected regularly to meet safety standards.
Be Extra Careful if You Have a Respiratory Illness
Having an illness should not exclude you from enjoying the ambiance of a bonfire like everyone else at an outdoor gathering. You should keep your back to the wind, so the smoke blows away from you. Be extra careful around fire pits when you have a respiratory illness like:
- COPD
- Asthma,
- Emphysema
- Chronic bronchitis
If you are suffering from some respiratory illness or disease, inhaling smoke from wood can lead to the tightening of the airways, and you can end up needing to go to the hospital. Sit as far from the fire as you can and be mindful of the direction of the wind.
Safely Distance Yourself from the Flames
When you have an outdoor get-together and a fire pit, sometimes you can get too close to the flames. This situation is especially true if your chairs are close to the fire pit. Your hair or clothes can easily catch on fire. Always keep your hair tied back and sleeves rolled up when tending to the firepit. Keep children and pets safely out of harm’s way.
Trees, Plants, and Structures Should Be Far Enough Away
Like an unruly forest fire, trees and plants are highly flammable, and it is dangerous to have a fire pit close to them. Long grass is included in the areas you want to keep your fire pit from getting near. How far away you should keep your fire pit:
- Place at least 10 feet away from the property line
- Place at least 10 to 15 feet away from trees or shrubs
- Place at least 10 feet away from any building or yard
- Place at a 21-foot clearance away from hanging branches
Trees are the biggest threat of fire. Even a spark or ember from a wood log can travel and set a tree on fire. Whether higher up or not, branches run the risk of catching on fire. All it takes is a small spark, and the trees, grass, or shrubs can go up in flames.
Keep a Fire Extinguisher Close By
The best way to be prepared if a fire spreading is to keep a full fire extinguisher, bucket of water, or hose available. A fire extinguisher will put out a fire or at least contain it until the fire department comes. However, you should know that a fire extinguisher only works if the fire is small and manageable. Basic fire safety equipment has its limitations.
Get the Approval of the Local Government
Check with your homeowner’s association before having a fire pit installed. This prevention will help you avoid any costly mistakes. Fires over 3 feet in diameter are considered bonfires, and you must have permission to have a fire pit. Your local government homeowner’s association may have rules about:
- Location
- Material
- Fuel type
- Size of pit
The rules exist for a reason. The government worries not only about community safety but also fire-related property damage. Contact your local homeowner’s association to inquire about the rules concerning your house and ensure you can obtain permits to have a fire pit.
Do Not Leave the Fire Pit Unattended
This may be an obvious tip, but leaving the fire pit unattended would not be a wise idea. It only takes a second for someone to get hurt or the fire to get out of hand. Even if the fire dies down and nothing but glowing embers are left, it can be tempting to step inside for a bathroom break, but it’s not safe. Even fires that are cooling can be scorching. If Someone gets too close, they could burn themselves.
Keep Children and Pets Safe
Your children and four-legged friends deserve to be kept safe. Prevent your children and pets from getting hurt or injured by keeping them at least three feet from the fire. If your dog or cat does not like to listen to you, set up a physical boundary for their safety. A gate will prevent your tiny hands and furry paws from reaching into the fire to see if they can touch a spark.
Lesser Known Fire Pit Rules
There are some lesser-known fire pit rules to consider. Maybe there are some things you did not think of, but when it comes to safety, you can never have too many helpful tips:
Keep a First Aid Kit Handy
The Red Cross states that a first aid kit is always good to have nearby. This is especially true when you are entertaining guests around the fire pit. Store your kit any place you can get to it quickly. You can make your first aid kit, which should include the following items:
- Nonlatex gloves
- Antibiotic ointment
- Sterile gauze pads
- Adhesive cloth tape
- Instant cold compress
- Antiseptic wipe packets
- Adhesive bandages (different sizes)
- Breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
You should also have emergency first aid instructions that are clear and easily understandable. Instructions will allow you to correctly administer first aid if and when someone needs your help. A first-aid kit can help you effectively treat minor injuries if one of your guests gets hurt or burned during the evening.
Use Swedish Torch Fire Logs
When you use a Swedish Torch Fire Log, you can light a fire even on snowy or icy surfaces because the flames do not touch the ground. It is an alternative way to build a fire. It will get your fire pit going without much kindling and give out massive heat. You do not need to do that much work after the first ignition.
You can use a barbecue lighter to get it started. If you do not have a barbecue lighter handy, you can use balled-up newspaper in cut slots in the wood to get the fire going. It is also a good idea to have wood shavings at the top. Just make sure that there is nothing combustible in the vicinity of the Swedish fire torch.
Keep the Fire Contained with DIY Objects
Fire pits must be used safely to prevent any accidents or mishaps. It is essential to remember these ideas when you have small children or pets who cannot resist their curiosity. Keep the fire contained with miscellaneous objects you can use to encircle the fire:
- Sand
- Rocks
- Bricks
- Fire ring
A fire ring is a stone or metal structure designed to encircle a campfire. You should place the ring directly on the ground. These objects prevent logs from falling and can catch flying sparks or embers before they can burn anyone close to the fire pit.
Wear Non-Flammable Clothes
You should never wear clothes that could easily catch on fire when you are around a fire pit. Fabrics with tight weaves like wool, modacrylic, or 100 percent polyester are some examples of clothes that would be ideal to wear around your fire pit. Polyester will not catch on fire and will instead pull away from the flame.
Heavy, tightly woven fabrics are more difficult to set on fire than lighter fabrics like cotton. The fabric’s surface texture also affects whether or not your clothes are susceptible to catching fire. Wide sleeves, flowing dresses, and long, lightweight scarves would be dangerous and downright silly to wear around the fire pit.
Safeguard Your Patio with a Fire Pit Mat
Using your fire pit on your patio should not be dangerous. If you insist on using your fire pit on your wooden deck, you should take safety precautions. You can protect your deck or patio with the use of a fire pit mat. This mat is fire-resistant and safeguards the flooring or surface on which a fire pit is placed.
Placing your fire pit directly on your patio can cause the fire to scorch the flooring, which is unsuitable for your property. Black marks can also form where the wooden planks set off heat. A mat explicitly created for the use of fire pits keeps the fire from causing damage to your patio and minimizes heat exposure.
Light Your Fire Pit from the Bottom Center
There is a well-kept secret about how to approach lighting your fire pit. Place your match at the bottom center of the wood as heat rises. Place the light in the bottom center of the wood so the heat rises and ignites all the wood. Never use lighter fluid or anything similar to light the fire pit because it can cause injury and harm. Light with a match instead. The safest way to do this is to use a long wood match.
Use Sand to Extinguish the Fire
Sand works similarly to other extinguishers because it absorbs heat and cools the fire by smothering the flames and decreasing its oxygen supply. Like a fire extinguisher, sand is ideal for putting out or containing small fires. Sand effectively buries the fire, especially coarse, dry sand. For example, sand is the perfect way to extinguish the flames when you have a small campfire.
Conclusion
When you have a get-together and use your fire pit, it is your responsibility to keep everyone safe. Fire pit safety is essential, and if you follow these simple tips, you and your guests can enjoy a carefree night of relaxation and fun.
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