A Guide to Fire Pit Safety
A simple fire pit can take the ambience of an outdoor room to the next level and add a touch of cozy comfort to the rough outdoors. However, carelessness can cause your attractive focal point to wreak havoc on your Geneva, IL, landscape and pose a serious threat to your safety. As with any powerful force of nature, fire should be treated with caution and respect. Read on for a comprehensive guide to using your fire pit safely.
Where to Put Your Fire Pit
Installing your fire pit in a responsible spot is key to keeping you, your friends, and family safe. Create a comfortable distance between your fire pit and any surrounding structures such as the home, outdoor kitchen, or dining area. You fire pit should also be a minimum of 15 feet away from your neighbor’s yard. The space above your fire pit should be kept clear of overhanging branches and other low-lying structures. A fire pit needs to be installed on a flame-resistant surface, like concrete, as opposed to grass or a wooden deck.
Preparing Your Fireside Fun
Take a scrutinizing look at your fire pit before you go ahead and light it. Are there any flammable materials nearby? Move them at least 10 feet away. If you place a couple of characterful potted plants near your fire pit or surround the area with billowing outdoor curtains, ensure that you tuck these flammable features away each and every time that you light your fire pit. And if you are concerned about a freak fire spreading throughout the surrounding greenery, consider piling dirt or rocks around your fire pit to create a break in the vegetation and a barrier for the flames. This can give a low fire pit a campfire-like aesthetic.
Lighting the Fire Pit
It is not recommended that you light your fire pit on very windy days. Even if it’s not particularly windy, take note of the wind direction before lighting your fire. Once you have confirmed that there are no flammable materials downwind of your fire pit, you may light it using a fire starter and kindling. Lighter fluid or any other flammable fluids should never be used to light or relight a residential fire.
Having Responsible Fun
There are a few golden guidelines that will ensure that you enjoy your time by the fireside without accident or injury. It is important never to leave a fire pit, or children and pets near the fire pit, unattended. A wire mesh should preferably be used to cover hot embers, and nothing should be thrown into the fire, as these materials may spark or send hot embers flying in all directions. Soft wood like pine and cedar can also send sparks flying when burnt. Refrain from wearing loose-fitting clothing at fireside get-togethers—you wouldn’t want your sleeve to go up in flames!
Extinguishing the Fire Pit
A fire should be extinguished using water. Stir the contents of the fire pit afterward, to ensure that the flames have been fully extinguished. This can be done using a shovel, which should always be on hand to extinguish escaped flames. Ashes remain piping hot for hours, so ensure that you dispose of them safely in a metal container.
