10 Tips for Outdoor Fire Pit Safety
Many people enjoy hanging out by their outdoor fire pits, but while fire offers a warm and cozy atmosphere, it can become extremely dangerous in an instant. If you’re considering the benefits of fire pits or already have one on your property, remember the following tips to keep you, your family, and your friends safe.
At the Koi Lagoon, we have a well-equipped metal fabrication shop, where we create all kinds of metal products, including fire pits. Once you review these important safety considerations, visit our fire pit page to see some examples of our fire pits for sale.
10 Essential Fire Pit Safety Considerations
1. Placement of Outdoor Fire Pits
When it comes to fire safety, the placement of your metal fire pit makes a massive difference. Keep the following considerations in mind when choosing the best spot for your pit:
- Place your fire pit on level ground, where it won’t wobble or tip over.
- Avoid placing your wood-burning fire pit in an enclosed space.
- Keep your pit 10 to 20 feet away from houses, fences, sheds, etc.
- Place your pit over nonflammable materials, such as concrete, sand, crushed stone, etc.
- Avoid placing your pit on a wood deck or bare lawn.
- Avoid placing your pit beneath low-hanging branches, pergolas, string lights, etc.
Carefully consider what rests below, above, and around your fire pit to prevent dangerous fires.
2. Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy
You may look into your current homeowner’s insurance coverage to ensure you’re covered in case your outdoor fire pit causes a structure fire or personal injury. Depending on your coverage and the type of fire pit, you may consider raising your coverage limits for personal property (moveable pit), other structures (permanent pit), and liability.
Some insurance companies won’t cover damage caused by a fire pit unless you have disclosed its existence. If you’re unsure whether your current insurance policy will keep you covered, contact your insurer.
3. Local Ordinances and No-Burn Alerts
Having a wood-burning fire pit on your property also means you must adhere to local ordinances. For example, here in Fort Collins, CO, all fire pits must be placed at least 15 feet from any structure, other combustible surface, or property line. Fort Collins also requires all fires be extinguished by 10 p.m.
To look into laws in your area, visit your favorite search engine and search for “fire pit regulations in City, State.” State and local municipality resources also often include best practices for submitting formal complaints if a neighbor fails to follow safety regulations.
Some areas also enforce no-burn alerts if current conditions cause increased risk of wildfires. If you live in an area prone to wildfires, research local alerts and avoid using your fire pit in unusually hot and dry conditions.
4. Current Weather Conditions
Current weather conditions also play into fire pit safety. Before you plan a fire pit party or marshmallow roasting with the kiddos, consider wind speed and direction to prevent sparks from starting any unwanted fires. Even relatively low wind speeds of 5 mph can quickly spread a fire.
A good spark screen can help immensely in keeping hot embers inside the pit, but it’s always a good idea to avoid lighting a fire in windy conditions. A hot ember can travel miles before landing on a combustible surface and starting a new fire, so be sure to check your local weather forecast.
5. Fire Pit Safety Preparations
Before you light a fire in your backyard fire pit, keep the following safety preparations in mind:
- Have a fire extinguisher in easy access, and ensure it has been pressure tested within the past year.
- In lieu of a fire extinguisher, you may also ensure easy access to a water hose or bucket of water.
- Invest in proper fire pit tools, such as a poker and fire tongs, that will not get hot along the handles.
- Avoid chairs, benches, and other furniture made of flammable materials, such as cotton or linen.
- Keep all chairs and other outdoor furniture at least three feet from the fire pit to avoid melting or catching.
- Remove flammable materials from under and around the pit (grass, sticks, leaf piles, etc.).
In our humble opinion, every home should have at least one fire extinguisher at the ready. You can purchase extinguishers of varying sizes from many hardware stores, such as Home Depot, Lowe’s, or even Wal Mart.
6. Fuel Choices and Wood Types
The type of wood you burn in your fire pit can also affect safety. In general, hardwoods like oak, pecan, and elm do not contain as much sap or resin as softwoods like pine, fir, and spruce. That means they tend not to pop and throw sparks and embers as much as softwoods. However, hardwoods often burn much longer than softwoods, so it’s important to consider how long you want the fire to last and if local regulations require you to put fires out by a certain time.
You can also burn other firewood products in fire pits, such as logs made of compressed wood chips (pictured here on the left side of the image), which offer a high-density alternative that won’t pop and throw embers.
Certain materials should not be burned in an outdoor fire pit due to the release of toxic fumes or increased hazard of spreading embers. Avoid burning any of the following items in your pit:
- Plastic, rubber, and other trash
- Treated, painted, or stained lumber
- Leaves and other yard waste
- Cardboard and paper
Do you need some firewood to burn in your backyard fire pit? In addition to metal fabrication, we also have firewood for sale here at the Koi Lagoon.
7. Children and Pets Around Fire Pits
It’s essential to supervise children and pets around fire pits to ensure they don’t get too close. You may decide to lock up a curious dog while you have a fire burning. We also recommend teaching children about fire safety from a young age, so they understand the dos and don’ts of backyard fires.
Some families use chalk, pavers, or other physical barriers to indicate a safe zone around the pit. Simply create a circle two to three feet away from the pit and instruct your kiddos not to cross the line.
8. Alcohol and Other Substances
Staying safe around any type of fire, be it a small fire pit or a large bonfire, means keeping your wits about you. Use your best judgment when consuming alcohol, cannabis, or other mind-altering substances around your pit, and ensure any guests do the same. Substances like alcohol that negatively impact one’s reflexes, coordination, and inhibitions can lead to accidents that may otherwise be avoided.
9. Tending to a Fire in a Fire Pit
Never leaving a lit fire unattended goes a long way in preventing unwanted fires. If you need to leave your property or want to go inside for a period of time, be sure to extinguish the fire completely before stepping away. Even after any flames have died down, a hot coal bed can spread embers that may catch surrounding materials. Always leave at least one person by a lit fire to ensure your safety and that of your property and neighbors.
10. Extinguishing a Fire in a Fire Pit
Follow these steps to properly extinguish a fire in a backyard fire pit:
- Allow time for the fire to burn all the wood into coals.
- Scatter the coals and any partially burned pieces around the pit.
- Use sand or dirt to smother the hot coals and pieces.
- You may use water to remove remaining heat, stirring the ashes as needed.
- If you still hear sizzling, the fire is not yet completely extinguished.
- Inspect all surroundings before leaving the area.
Some people use water instead of sand to extinguish fires, but excess water may cause rusting in your pit or cause rapid temperature change, which can weaken the metal over time. If you use water, consider the long-term longevity of your pit. You may extend the life of your pit by using sand, dirt, or a good snuffer.
We hope these tips help you stay safe when using fire pits. Remember, it only takes an instant for a comforting fire to become a dangerous situation.
If you’re looking for a high quality fire pit in the Fort Collins, CO, area, get in touch with our shop. Our custom metal fabrication team can build the perfect fire pit for your backyard. Call us at (970) 484-9162, visit us in person at 2000 E. Lincoln Ave. in Fort Collins, or press the button below to get in touch through our online contact form.