Fire safety is an often overlooked part of adding a fire pit or outdoor fireplace to your residence. For less than $50 and understanding some “best practices” you can mitigate risks from fire-related problems.

Fire Safety Best Practices

A fire pit, by itself, is totally safe and enjoyable. People’s behaviors can sometimes create hazards. People need to understand a fire pit is not intended to be used for bonfires, burn debris, or handle fireworks.

Find the Right Place

It’s very important to have your fire pit in a safe location where it can’t cause other things to catch on fire. Make sure it is 10 – 20 feet away from your home or any structures – including wood fences. Keep any nearby trees trimmed so they don’t hang over the fire pit. You never know when a gust of wind can feed the flames. Non-combustible stone or gravel makes the best material to surround your fire pit. If you are just using cleared dirt, make sure no weeds are growing up around the area.

Fire Suppression Equipment

At a minimum have a long garden hose that reaches the pit or keep a bucket of water or sand nearby when you enjoying a night around the fire. Buying a relatively small fire extinguisher is a small but valuable expense. You can keep the fire extinguisher near the fire pit for quick access. It’s a good idea to make certain all family members understand how to use a fire extinguisher to put out grass fires. Another good investment is a fire blanket which can quickly smother a blaze. Having the right safety equipment is a must!