Fire Pit Safety Starts with Selecting the Proper Site
Place portable fire pits on a level, fire-resistant surface at least 10 feet from your home, trees, and other structures. Some cities and counties have laws outlining placement, so be sure to check local ordinances and HOA rules. Never use a fire pit under overhanging trees, awnings, or in partially enclosed spaces.
Check the Weather
Check the local weather forecast when planning a gathering around the fire. Windy days are not good for tending a fire unless you have a portable fire pit that can be safely moved to a place with a natural wind barrier. Winds can blow sparks to surrounding buildings or brush.
No-burn alerts are issued by some municipalities during certain times of the year and during a drought. Check for burn-bans in your area before lighting a fire.
Use the Right Type of Wood
Propane and natural gas are safe and efficient fuels for fire pits, but you won’t get the ambiance of a crackling wood fire. With a wood-burning pit, the kind of wood you use affects the safety of the fire.
Only burn hardwoods that have been seasoned for at least six months. Oak and hickory are good choices for a fire pit. Softwoods – like pine – produce dangerous sparks. Cut logs three-quarters or less than the diameter of your fire pit. Never use gas or lighter fluid to start a fire.
Seating for Fire Pit Safety
Arrange the seating around your fire pit so that guests are seated upwind and away from smoke. Built-in seating isn’t a great idea; guests need to be able to move around without the risk of getting burned.
Watch children and pets carefully to make sure they don’t get too close to the fire. Especially if you’re tending the fire, don’t wear nylon or baggy clothing and keep long hair tied back.
Be Prepared for an Emergency
Fires are unpredictable. No matter how carefully you follow safety rules, be prepared in case of an accident. Have a garden hose and bucket of sand nearby. If needed, set the hose on the spray setting since direct streams can spread sparks. Even better, have a dry-chemical fully charged fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it.
Take Care to Extinguish Fires
Safety around the fire pit includes thoroughly extinguishing fires when it’s time to go inside. If you purchased a fire pit, check the manufacturer’s instructions on how to properly extinguish the flame.
Some metal and ceramic fire pits may crack if you use water. Turn off the gas on gas fire pits before extinguishing the fire. Stay around long enough to make sure there are no lingering sparks and that all embers are extinguished.
Northern Florida Home Inspections offers home inspections to customers in northern Florida. Contact us to request an appointment.