As the weather starts to warm up in Ontario, you may be looking for more ways to spend time outdoors. Sitting around a fire pit is a great way to do this and enjoy time with friends and family. This is a terrific summer activity, especially for those chilly summer evenings! However, to keep everyone safe, here are our top tips for fire pit safety to remember every time you gather around the fire.
What are the most crucial fire pit safety tips?
- Wear non-flammable clothing
- Keep children and pets away from the fire pit
- Avoid using certain types of wood
- Keep an extinguisher nearby
- Check weather conditions
- Never leave the fire unattended
- Place it in an open and safe place
- Drink responsibly near a fire pit
- Safely light the fire
- Check your home insurance policy
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1. Wear Non-Flammable Clothing
Although it may not be your first thought, our first tip for fire pit safety is to wear non-flammable clothing. Certain materials, such as nylon, and clothing styles like loose-fitting tops, are more susceptible to catching fire. No matter how careful you are, accidents can happen.
When sitting around a fire pit, we recommend wearing tight-fitting clothing, such as leggings or a fitted T-shirt.
2. Keep Children and Pets Away from the Fire Pit
Our second tip is arguably the most important. Please ensure children and pets are always at least three feet from the fire pit. Even if they are older, fire can be unpredictable.
Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure their safety, as well as your own. If your pet is joining in on the backyard or camping fun, our biggest tip is to keep them on a leash to ensure their safety. If they want to explore or play outside, take them far away from the fire pit, or better yet, to a nearby park.
3. Avoid Using Certain Types of Wood
When building your fire, it’s essential to know which types of wood to avoid. Any type of softwood, such as pine or cedar, is more susceptible to sparks and popping. Additionally, they don’t last as long as other woods. Instead, look for more hardwoods, such as ash or beech. These woods will hold fire longer and create less hazard.
4. Keep an Extinguisher Nearby
Whenever you are burning a fire, keeping a fire extinguisher nearby is crucial. It’s also important to ensure everyone around you is safe, even if you won’t need it. The bottom line is that you must be able to put out the fire if it gets out of control. Some examples to have nearby for safety are:
- fire extinguisher
- a hose/other water feature
- bucket of water
- sand or dirt
5. Check the Wind Conditions Before Lighting Your Fire Pit
Before building your fire, it’s essential to check the weather conditions. It’s also important to check the wind’s direction before setting up your fire. Here are some of the things that could happen with high winds, and what you should do just in case:
Extinguish the Fire: If it’s too windy outside, the fire will extinguish quickly, and small sparks can often land on nearby bushes or even hit people.
Consider Chair Placement: Place chairs or seating on the side away from the wind. If it’s blowing to the east, advise everyone to sit on the west side. This way, the smoke won’t blow into people’s faces.
Relocate the Fire Pit: You can also move your fire pit to a less windy location (if possible) to avoid issues.
6. Never Leave a Fire Pit Unattended
Please always ensure an adult is supervising the fire, even as it begins to die down. Small sparks or embers can create a big problem if the fire is unattended. If it’s getting late and the fire is down to its final embers, make sure it is fully extinguished before leaving.
Wood-burning Fire Pit: Pour water over the remaining flames and wait until they have died out completely before leaving.
Gas Fire Pit: Be sure it has been turned off safely and that the gas line itself is off. No matter how the situation has been shut off, you should never leave a fire unattended, no matter its state.
7. Keep Your Fire in the Open and Keep a Safe Distance
Another essential tip to remember is to build your fire pit in an open area. This is especially true when camping! Remember never to light your fire underneath any covering, whether it’s an overhang, a balcony, or a canvas tarp.
Keeping the general space around the fire pit clear in an emergency is also important. If it’s a gas fire pit, clear the surrounding area of combustible materials to eliminate the opportunity for explosions.
8. Drink Responsibly Near Fire
Although this tip applies to any social event, drinking responsibly when around a fire pit is especially essential. There are many reasons why this fire pit safety tip is important, including how alcohol responds to both our bodies and fire itself. Alcohol can impair our judgment and is highly flammable, making it a seriously problematic combination.
If you do want to consume alcohol while enjoying your fire pit, we recommend keeping a safe distance between yourself and the flames. Even if you’re having one drink, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
9. Light Your Fire Safely
When lighting a fire, taking extra precautions is crucial to ensure everyone’s safety. One great tip is to put sand at the bottom of your fire pit. This will keep the pit from overheating. If you are unsure, you can just read the manual (if it is a store-bought pit).
10. Check Your Home Insurance Coverage
And finally, it’s essential to understand what your home insurance policy covers in the event of a fire. Although this is an improbable scenario, knowing what your policy covers will give you peace of mind.
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Some Common Questions about Fire Pit Safety
Is it legal to have a fire pit in Ontario?
Typically, yes. However, fire pit rules vary by municipality, so always check local fire bylaws before acting.
How far should a fire pit be away from your home?
It is common practice to keep a fire pit at least 10 feet away from any buildings, structures, and trees.
Does having a fire pit impact your home insurance?
It depends. Some home insurance policies may have guidelines or restrictions about fire pits. It is always best to review your policy or speak with your insurance provider.
Takeaways for Fire Pit Safety
Enjoying your fire pit safely starts with preparation and awareness. Practicing proper fire pit safety helps reduce the risk of burns, property damage, and unintended fires, while also protecting your home and insurance coverage. If you have any questions regarding how your home insurance may be affected in the case of a fire emergency, reach out to a member of our isure team.
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