Fire pits are one of the hottest design features (literally!) you can have on your property. What could be better than sitting under the stars beside a roaring fire with a nice glass or red and good company? But as idyllic as they sound, firepits in your back garden are not just something you can set up on a whim. They require a bit of forethought and awareness to ensure your experience doesn’t combust into a potentially dangerous one. If you are thinking of adding a fire pit to your outdoor space, here are some tips on keeping it safe.  

1. Choose the right location

When setting up a fire pit, where you put it is very important. It is essential to choose a safe location that is a minimum of ten feet away from any structures that are flammable, such as your house, fences, sheds and neighbouring properties. Additionally, you should avoid placing it near trees or plants that could also catch fire. Ideally, there should be plenty of clearance above the fire pit, with nothing overhanging – you’ll want a clear path to the sky. Moreover, if you are setting up a fire in a dense area, make sure there is at least 20 feet of clearance above the firepit. You should also ensure that artificial items such as string lights and power lines are not above the fire.  

2. Choose the right surface

Regardless of where you decide to place your fire pit, you should put it on a level and non-flammable surface. Stone, brick, or concrete are the best surfaces to place a fire pit on. It should NEVER be placed directly on flammable surfaces such as grass, especially with lots of fallen leaves. At the same time, although you can have one on a wooden deck or pergola, these should be installed by a fully licensed and experienced professional, as there are specific guidelines that must be met – for instance, adequate ventilation and fire pit pads – to get it up to code.  

3. Be alert to fire danger warnings and the weather

In a country like Australia, bushfires are a real threat throughout the year, but they are especially so in the dry season for northern Australia and summer and autumn in the south of the country.  At these times, local governments may issue alerts advising of fire bans. Often, they do this when there is an imminent threat of adverse weather conditions. It is important to practice outdoor fire safety during this time, as even a sudden, stiff breeze can result in sparks being carried towards flammable things like trees and wooden houses.  

4. Safely store all flammable liquids

If you have any flammable liquids in your home, for instance, petrol for your lawnmower, paint thinner, turps or linseed oil, you should take extra precautions by placing them in Flammable Storage Solutions.  These solutions, which include a safety cabinet, can provide vital protection against explosions, fire, chemical spills and any flammable vapours that are released. They can be a lifesaver as they can prevent any of these situations from rapidly escalating to disaster.  

5. Use Kiln-Dried Hardwood

If the conditions are right, when lighting your fire pit, it is always worth doing so with kiln-dried hardwood. Kiln-dried hardwood is a much safer option for burning than other types of wood as it produces less smoke. That is because the process of kiln-drying removes the moisture from the wood, a significant contributor to smoke. Moreover, hardwoods like maple and oak are better than softwoods like pine as they produce consistent, hot flames. Softwoods are more prone to burning too quickly, which can cause sparks to fly from pockets of moisture within the wood and produce excess smoke.  

6. Put a fire-stop buffer in place

Placing your fire pit in the right spot is a good start. However, you should also ensure you have put in place a fire-stop buffer. This is something that will significantly reduce the risk of fire spreading if it gets out of control. It could include a trench that you dig around your pit (minimum of two inches) which you fill with sand or rocks that are fire-safe. However, you should not use river rocks as they are full of moisture and have a propensity to crack or even explode if they are subjected to excessive heat. If you can’t dig a trench, encircle your fire pit with water. While it doesn’t work as effectively, it should reduce the chances of fire spreading if you saturate the ground a few inches deep.