You can bring the fun of camping to your backyard with an outdoor fire pit. But just like a campfire or an indoor fireplace, you must practice good fire pit safety habits. The following fire pit safety tips can help keep your home and family safe while you enjoy a backyard fire pit.
Fire pit safety tips
1. Know how to extinguish a fire pit
According to Recreation.gov, the most important aspect of fire safety is knowing how to extinguish the fire pit. They recommend letting the fire burn down naturally, then pouring water over all the embers. Use the back of your hand to check for residual heat to identify any spots you might have missed.
2. Learn how to safely start a fire
The counterpart to extinguishing a fire pit is when and how to light the fire pit safely. Build your fire on a flat surface made of non-flammable barrier material like cement pavers or a commercially designed fire pit, says the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). Pay attention to the wind direction and avoid lighting the fire pit if the wind is strong. Use kindling like dry leaves and small twigs to light the fire safely. According to S&S Firepits, if you use a match, you should place your match under the kindling, not over it. As the heat from the match rises, it will catch the kindling on fire and then spread to the firewood.
Another tip when lighting a fire pit with a match is to light upwind so the fire blows into the kindling, making it easier to catch. Never use combustibles like lighter fluid or gasoline.
3. Use the right wood for a safe fire pit
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises that selecting the right wood is an integral part of fire pit safety. Use seasoned, dried wood intended for fireplaces and backyard fires. This kind of wood burns cleaner than other kinds. Never use construction scraps or other treated lumber, and don’t light a fire pit on air quality alert days.
4. Pick the right spot to maximize home fire pit safety
Location is important if you’re using a safe fire pit like a portable commercial model or a permanent one built on cement pavers. If you have a portable pit, set it up downwind from the house or other structures on your property. Keep an eye out for anything flammable, and make sure that the area around the fire pit is clear for at least 10 feet. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) also recommends checking the area above the fire pit. Don’t position your fire pit under overhanging branches or other flammable materials and objects.
You might position the seating about 3-4 feet from the fire. If you want to roast marshmallows or other treats, consider using long roasting rods to ensure the proper distance from the fire.
5. Use a screen after you light a fire pit
Containing stray sparks is another essential aspect of outdoor fireplace safety. Even if you’ve taken all the necessary precautions when choosing the position of your fire pit, changes in the wind can blow sparks in unexpected directions. An adequately fitted fire screen can contain sparks and keep them from spreading onto flammable materials.
Other considerations for outdoor fire pit safety
Even if you follow all the fire pit safety rules, accidents can still happen. Homeowners insurance may cover damage from fire, depending on your policy and the event’s details. If the fire damages or destroys a detached garage, tool shed, or other structure on your property that isn’t attached to your home, other structures coverage may pay to rebuild or make repairs.
Before you light your backyard fire pit for the first time, familiarize yourself with what to do if there’s a home fire, so you can react quickly.
FAQs
Place your fire pit at least 10 feet from your home, storage shed, garden, garage, fence, or play set. And don't just look around, look up, too. Ensure there are no overhead branches or powerlines within the 10-foot radius of your bonfire. If there are, flying sparks could catch them and lead to dangerous situations.
Do and don'ts of fire pit? ›
Don't overload the fire pit with too much wood or burn garbage, treated wood, or other materials that can produce toxic fumes. Don't wear loose-fitting clothing that may more easily catch fire. Don't position the fire pit too close to structures, overhanging trees, or low-hanging branches.
How can I make my fire pit safer? ›
Fire pits should be placed at least 10 feet away from your home, other structures or anything combustible. Don't set up fire pits under string lights or power lines. Use a fire-proof base for your unit, especially on a wood deck. Follow no-burn alerts and avoid starting a fire in windy conditions.
Are backyard fire pits safe? ›
Supervise children at all times when using a fire pit. Teach your children about the dangers of fire and do not leave them unattended by the open flame. Having children sit further back than 3 feet is important, as sparks can still fly from the fire into the open air and cause minor burns and injuries.
What are the 10 fire safety tips? ›
Tips for Fire Safety
- Install Smoke Alarms.
- Plan Your Escape From Fire.
- Keep an Eye on Smokers.
- Cook Carefully.
- Give Space Heaters Space.
- Portable Air Conditioner Safety.
- Matches and Lighters are Tools Not Toys.
- Stop, Drop, and Roll.
Place your fire pit at a safe distance (10-25 feet) from any flammable structures or surfaces. This includes your house, trees, shed, vehicle, neighbors' property, and wood deck, among other things. Keep your fire pit away from overhanging branches. A 21-foot clearance is standard for most municipalities.
Is it OK to leave fire pit burning overnight? ›
Keep your home safe with proper fire pit care
Before heading inside, you'll want to make sure that you successfully extinguish the flames in your pit. It's not safe to let a fire burn overnight because you could wake up to a dangerous house fire.
Should I put anything in the bottom of my fire pit? ›
Placing a layer of sand or gravel at the bottom of a fire pit can help with heat distribution and protect the base from extreme temperatures. It also makes cleaning up ash easier.
What is the best thing to put under a fire pit? ›
The best materials to put in the bottom of your fire pit are gravel, paver base or fire bricks.
What is the safest type of fire pit? ›
Propane fire pits are generally considered one of the safest options. Let's take a look at some of the features that make them a good choice.
Cons: High maintenance: You need to store and season firewood, clean ashes, and tend to the fire. Smoke and ashes: Smoke can be bothersome, and ashes need regular disposal. Limited convenience: Starting and maintaining a wood fire can be more time-consuming.
Should I put sand in my fire pit? ›
Regardless of which of the many fire pit uses you choose to enjoy, adding sand to the bottom of your fire pit will help protect it from the heat of the fire and may well extend the pit's lifespan.
Where is the best place to put a fire pit in your backyard? ›
To ensure safe and optimal fire pit placement:
- Adhere to local regulations and avoid placing during fire bans.
- Keep fire pits at least 10 feet from buildings and trees.
- Install on a non-flammable surface and away from overhead structures.
- Check wind patterns to prevent smoke issues.
Fire extinguisher(s)
U.S. fire departments respond to an estimated 343,100 home structure fires each year. That's why every home should have at least one fire extinguisher stored where fiery fiascos are most likely to happen, such as the kitchen. For home use, experts recommend fire extinguishers with an ABC rating.
What are the fire safety tips for homeowners? ›
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside every sleeping area.
- Install a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside each separate sleeping area. ...
- Make sure your house number is easily readable from the street, even at night.
- Make sure your home heating sources are clean and in working order.
Evacuate your Building
Sounding the alarm on discovery of a fire is the first thing you should do.
Where not to put a fire pit? ›
Fire pits should not be placed too close to a house or other backyard structures; and they should also not be placed too close to trees, shrubs, or other plants.
What to put in the bottom of a fire pit? ›
What Do You Put in the Bottom of a Fire Pit? To create a safe, sturdy foundation for a fire pit, we use a gravel paver base. Other common materials used for the bottom of a fire pit are sand, lava stones, dirt, fire glass and concrete slabs.
What wood should you not burn in a fire pit? ›
You don't want to burn treated wood, deck lumber, painted or stained wood planks, shipping palettes, or driftwood. These types of wood have usually been treated with chemicals that can be potentially dangerous and toxic to inhale.
Household 3 min read