Here at The Snow Down Landscaping, we have been working in the landscaping business for many years, and we have worked on countless projects in that time. Many of our projects include adding hardscaping elements, such as pathways or retaining walls, to the landscape. One example of hardscaping we want to discuss in this article is fire pits. Keep reading to learn a few essential tips for using fire pits safely.
- Keep a fire extinguisher within reach. Our first tip for using fire pits safely is to always keep means to extinguish the fire within easy reach. For example, you can use a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher or keep buckets of water and sand nearby to quickly put out a fire if necessary. We also recommend going over fire safety practices with any kids who will be around the fire pit when in use—remind them to “stop, drop, and roll” should their clothing or hair be caught in the flames.
- Watch what you burn. Our second tip for using fire pits safely is to be careful about what you burn. We encourage you to only burn untreated firewood, and to avoid burning things like treated lumber, plastic, or other materials. Many materials are treated with chemicals that create harmful gases when burned, so it’s safest for everyone to only burn natural firewood.
- Use a fire screen. Our third tip for using fire pits is to place a screen over the fire to contain sparks. Stray sparks escaping from your fire can cause dry wood in the area to catch, starting an uncontained fire. To avoid this, make sure to use a screen cover to prevent sparks from flying away.