Fire Pit Safety Tips

- The location of your fire pit should be at least ten feet from any structure, neighboring property, or fence, with the best distance being twenty-five feet. 

- A wide-open spot is best for placement, away from hanging tree branches, and never on a covered porch.  In choosing a fire pit for a covered location, propane should be your choice for fuel. The flames will be easier to control and extinguish, if necessary. 

- Use non-flammable materials as a base for the fire pit:  rock, cement block, or fire-resistant composite material should be spread at least twenty-four inches out from where your fire pit stands. Never sit it directly on the grass or a wooden deck.  

- While looking through the many options when purchasing a fire pit, you need to make certain that it is at least six inches deep, and a minimum of two feet in diameter.  A removable screen is another great asset for the fire pit, as it will help contain embers from floating up with the flames. 

- Extinguishing a wood fire in your fire pit is simple enough: douse it completely with water and stirring the ashes with a shovel to be certain the fire is out completely.  Use only a metal container to dispose of ashes. 

- If a full-on fire pit is not a possibility, a tabletop version may be your best choice. Fueled by denatured alcohol gel or bio-ethanol, these tiny fireplaces can be used anywhere, anytime.