As we outlined in the previous post, we now need to detail fire pit safety. An ounce of prevention is equal to a pound of cure as the addage goes.Or in this case a gallon of water may be worth your entire home, or at least your deck!
General Outdoor Fire Safety Rules
For almost any type of fire the indoor, outdoor, open or within a fire pit there general safety is the same.
1. Follow all local, state and federal fire laws and ordinances. Have a permit if it is required.
2. Clear the area of any foreign flammable or combustible materials. This can include leaves, twigs and other dry brush or paper waste and cardboard etc.
3. Never use any sort of liquid/gel/other sort of fire starter. We recommend using fire starter logs and kindling products. Newspaper, wood shavings and dryer lint can also be used.
4. Keep a supply of water, and/or a fire extinguisher on hand at all open fires. Cut the tops off old 1 gallon milk jugs or a kitchen size extinguisher should do the trick.
5. When near campfires, wear snug fitting, tightly woven, clothing. Short sleeves are recommended.
6. Make sure everyone knows how to put out a clothing fire – STOP, DROP and ROLL.
Always remember….in case of an actual or suspected fire, get everyone to safety before calling for help or attempting to extinguish the flames. Fires spread very fast!
This is the most important part of any outdoor fire. For an open fire pit make sure that fires and coals are out COLD DEAD before retiring or the evening. To begin make sure you allow enough time for the fire to burn down, so there is not a roaring flame right when your trying to end the night’s activities. Then completely soak the fire with water, and mix in dirt if available. If there is, for some reason, no water dirt alone will suffice. Make sure to mix enough sand and dirt with the coals until all materials are completely cool to the touch of your bare hand. Move any rocks that may be loose in the fire pit as well, or else embers may be missed under those rocks. The point of using dirt and sand is to cool the embers, do NOT bury them as they may smolder underneath the ground and continue to be a fire risk.
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