Outdoor Fire Pit Safety Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Experience

Few things in life can match hanging out with friends and family around a roaring fire. Making memories (and delicious s’mores) around the fire pit is completely safe — if you follow some outdoor fire pit safety tips.

Putting safety first at every step, from construction to extinguishing the fire, can help keep a fun activity from turning into a tragedy. Check out our fire pit cost calculator to see how affordable adding one to your yard can be, then review our safety suggestions for endless fun.

Follow the Local Rules

The last thing you want is for the local authorities to show up to cite you for an illegal fire pit, but if you don’t follow the local rules for their construction and use, that could happen. Local municipalities, HOAs and fire departments often have guidelines about fire pit distance from structures and vegetation and when and what you can burn. The consequences of ignoring fire pit regulations might be inconvenient at best but you could also end up causing significant property damage if things get out of control.

Prepare the Pit Area

Putting the fire pit in the right place is also critical to using it safely. The safe fire pit placement guidelines recommend building it at least ten feet away from structures, including the house, fence, and shed. Build it on top of fireproof materials, like gravel or stone pavers.

Use the Right Materials

Using the right materials to construct the fire pit also has a place among outdoor fire pit safety tips. Anything you use must withstand the heat; for example, concrete blocks might seem economical, but they can explode under high temperatures. Metal, stone, and brick are the best choices for fire pit safety.

Practice Fire Safety

Take fire safety precautions before you light the blaze. Remove dried leaves, twigs, or other flammable items from a ten-foot radius around the fire pit, and keep all the seating at least three feet from the fire.

Other outdoor fire pit safety tips include:

• Not wearing loose clothing when tending to the fire
• Check for local burn bans before ignoring
• Supervise pets and children around the fire
• Avoid burning anything that can release toxic fumes, like garbage, treated wood, or plastic
• Keep up with fire pit maintenance, including removing ashes and inspecting the container for damage, before every fire

Keep the Fire Under Control

Never leave a fire unattended, even when it appears well-contained in a fire pit. You’re responsible for controlling the blaze, and that means using proper fire pit coverings to help keep embers from escaping and having immediate access to water and fire extinguishers.

Add a Professionally Constructed Fire Pit to Your Yard

A fire pit can quickly become the center of activity in your backyard, and with our outdoor fire pit safety tips, you can have fun without worries. Kline Brothers is the first choice for custom fire pit designs in NJ, so call us at (609) 494-5838 to learn more. We work with all fire pit fuel types and will help you find the perfect solution for your home.