Summer Fire Safety - Fire Pits and Campfires

6/17/2022 (Permalink)

Fire pits are a favorite part of summer when safety tips are carefully followed

This time of year, Americans look forward to gathering around a fire pit or campfire with friends and family. But what can be an enjoyable evening can turn into a fire tragedy if you’re not careful. In Part 2 of this article, we address how to safely enjoy your fire pit or campfire (Part 1 covered safety while grilling food).

Fire Pit Safety

With the increasing popularity of fire pits, knowing how to use them safely has become even more important. Follow this advice when setting up and using a fire pit.

• Keep flammable material and fluids, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene and charcoal lighter fluid, away from the fire pit while in use.
• Never use flammable fluids such as gasoline, alcohol, diesel fuel, kerosene and charcoal lighter fluid to light or relight fires.
• Exercise the same precautions you would with an open fire.
• Don’t wear loose fitting or flammable clothing such as nylon.
• Keep a three-foot safety zone around the fire pit. Do not allow children to use the fire pit. Keep children and pets away.
• Don’t burn trash, leaves, paper, cardboard or plywood. Avoid using soft wood such as pine or cedar that can pop and throw sparks. Seasoned hardwood is best.
• Don’t overload the fire pit. Before starting the fire, make sure that the lid will still close to extinguish the fire in an emergency.
• Check the wind direction before you light the fire.
• Keep a fire extinguisher, garden hose or bucket of water nearby.

Campfire Safety

Follow these tips to stay safe around your campfire.

• Don’t build a fire in hazardous, dry conditions or if the campground, area or event rules prohibit campfires.
• Use an existing fire ring if available.
• Choose a site that is at least fifteen feet away from tent walls, shrubs, trees or other flammable objects. The site should not have low-hanging branches overhead.
• Keep a three-foot safety zone around the campfire.
• Keep a bucket of water near your campfire.

When you’re ready to put out your fire, follow these guidelines:

• Allow the wood to burn completely to ash, if possible.
• Pour lots of water on the fire; drown all embers, not just the red ones. Pour until hissing sounds stop.
• Stir the campfire ashes and embers with a shovel. Make sure everything is wet and cold to the touch.
• Scrape the sticks and logs to remove any embers.
• If you do not have water, use dirt. Mix dirt or sand with the embers and stir until all material is cool. Do not simply bury the fire, as the fire can smolder and catch roots on fire that will eventually get to the surface and start a wildfire.

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at (860)461-7194

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The team at SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster and storm damage cleanup, water damage remediation and chemical cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield (860)461-7194 any time.