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Spark an Interest in Northern Virginia Fire Pit Safety

There's no question that your Northern Virginia home's fire pit is an enjoyable addition to your landscape. Nothing beats a cold, crisp night spent with friends and family around a cozy backyard fire pit, unless, of course, the fire blazes out of control. To fully enjoy your fire pit, you must employ safety precautions at all times and realize that an open flame in a fire pit is still an open flame. Follow these fire pit safety tips to avoid any accidents:

• Educate yourself. Read the manual that comes with your fire pit and know that you can contact the manufacturer or installer with any questions you may have.
• Do not place a fire pit any closer than at least 10 feet from anything flammable, including any overhead tree branches. Never place a fire pit in an enclosed area, nor on an unsteady surface.
• Use only recommended fire starters and never gasoline to start a fire.
• Avoid piling wood too high or too long in wood-burning fire pits to prevent burning material to spill out. Sticks should be no longer than three quarters of the pit's diameter.
• Use screens for protection from wind and sparks.
• Do not use fire pits on windy days.
• Start your fire small to keep it manageable.
• Make sure you keep the following tools near your fire pit at all times: a fire extinguisher in good working condition, safety gloves, poker or log grabber, sand, and a shovel. Fire extinguishers should be a dry-chemical model with a Class B and C or multipurpose rating, such as the typical kitchen fire extinguisher.
• If your fire pit runs on a pilot light, check it from time to time to make sure it hasn't blown out and is spreading combustible gases in the area.
• Always have a garden hose nearby with the water turned on and the nozzle set to "spray," as a focused, steady stream of water can spread burning embers.

When extinguishing your fire pit, make sure the fire is completely out. Follow your manufacturer's instructions and use a fire extinguisher or enough water to let the hot coals or wood soak, pouring water until there's no steam. Once the fire is completely out, cover the pit with a lid and make sure you do not store the coals or wood in bags right away; use a metal ash bucket instead.

Looking for more information on Northern Virginia fire pit safety? Specialists in landscape design and construction, Second Nature, Inc. offers such landscaping services as fire pit, grills, walkways, water features, and patio installation, as well as a full suite of deck, gazebo, and sunroom construction and landscape design. Second Nature, Inc. is located in Linden, Virginia and services the entire Northern Virginia and Washington, DC region.