From Spring right through to Fall, Southern New Englanders love a good fire pit. They create the perfect setting to create lasting memories. While fire pits can be enjoyable, they can also be dangerous. Ensure you get the most enjoyment from your fire pit by keeping your family and friends safe.
Begin by selecting the right location for your fire pit. The ground needs to be level and the pit itself should be kept at least 10 – 20 feet away from plants or structures. It is also a good idea to check with your local city or town to be sure you maintain the distance required by law.
Remember to never operate a fire pit under an overhang or in any enclosed space. Pay attention to overhanging trees, which can ignite easily. Also, consider surrounding your fire pit with crushed stone, brick, or sand.
If your fire pit is wood-stoked, be sure to only burn wood that has been seasoned for at least six months. Avoid burning materials such as plywood or composite woods, as they can release toxic fumes. Softwoods, such as pine and birch, tend to spark and crackle more than seasoned hardwoods, such as oak or hickory. Logs should be cut so that they are three-quarters the diameter of the pit. Never use lighter fluid or gasoline to ignite a fire in the pit.
Many fire pits often have a screen to preventing flying wood sparks so be sure to use it whenever you are burning. Have a garden hose ready to deal with flying sparks and have fire gloves nearby to handle hot parts of the fire pit safely.
Make sure that seats are positioned at a safe distance from the fire to ensure people can move freely. Always keep an eye on children to make sure they are not running around or getting too close to the open flame.
Many people often invest in a fire blanket to help extinguish the flames, and, if necessary, anyone who might catch fire. Have a fully charged, dry-chemical fire extinguisher with a Class B and C or multipurpose rating. Understand how to use the extinguisher properly and remember that an effective distance to extinguish a fire is typically 6 to 10 feet. If your fire pit is gas, remember to turn off the gas before attempting to extinguish. Never light a fire in windy conditions.
Once you have enjoyed your fire for the evening, be sure to douse it properly. Manufactured fire pits have instructions on how to extinguish safely so review specific instructions before it’s time to put the fire out. Water may crack metal or ceramic fire pits.
At Hunter Insurance, we hope you enjoy the waning days of summer safely. If you have further questions on how you can protect your family and property, please call us at 769.9500 and we would be happy to answer your questions.
Credit: HGTV