Outdoor fireplaces are attractive, inexpensive, and extend the use of your yard through fall and winter. They add ambiance to a cool evening and are enjoyable to stare at. However, when you use a fire pit you are actually playing with fire! If you are careless using it, you could not only set your home on fire, but the grass as well, causing others around you to be in danger.
To make sure you are safe, we recommend focusing on the following
Positioning
– The smartest surface to place a fire pit is on patio blocks or concrete, as they are non-flammable. Avoid positioning on grass or on a wooden deck because they can catch fire easily.
– Whether you have a permanent or portable fire pit, the position is extremely important. You’ll want to make sure it’s at least 10 feet away from any objects and neighboring yards, and that no low hanging branches are above where its placed.
Lighting
– Consider using a commercial fire starter with kindling, rather than lighter fluid. Ensure no flammable objects are close by before using it – roughly five feet is a reasonable distance. However, more distance is preferable.
– Lighting your fire can be difficult depending on the direction wind is blowing. If it is too windy, it is smart wait to use your fire pit.
Usage
– When the fire is lit, make sure you don’t leave children or pets unattended (or the fire unattended at all!)
– It is unsafe to wear flammable or loose-fit clothing while near the fire, as these can catch fire surprisingly easily.
– Garbage and paper products can spark easily and throw off embers and burning remnants, so you should try not to put any of those in the fire!
It is always safe to keep a container of water or hose nearby, because accidents do happen! If you have any questions about what your current homeowners policy covers, do not hesitate to give us a call at 781-943-1555!
