There’s nothing better than gathering around a fire pit on a warm summer evening. Whether you’re entertaining friends, roasting marshmallows with the family or simply enjoying a quiet night outdoors, a well-managed fire creates the perfect atmosphere.
However, while fire pits are enjoyable, they should always be used responsibly. Fortunately, following a few simple safety precautions will help you enjoy your fire safely while protecting your family, guests and garden.
Here are our top 10 fire safety steps for the ideal summer evening.
1. Start from the ground up!
Position your fire pit carefully, choose a flat, stable surface and keep your fire pit well away from fences, sheds, trees and garden furniture. Ideally, allow at least two to three metres of clearance around the fire pit. Ensuring a safe starting point before you begin building the foundations of your fire.
2. Focus on the log quality
Using kiln-dried, Ready to Burn certified logs (like ours) helps reduce smoke, improves combustion and produces more heat. This is true for any fire, not just those in the fire pit! Additionally, never burn painted, treated or chemically treated wood, as this can release harmful fumes.
3. Remember to check the weather
Although a gentle breeze is usually fine, avoid lighting a fire pit during strong winds. Not only can wind spread sparks, but it can also make smoke unpredictable and uncomfortable for your neighbours.
Of course, we hopefully don’t need to tell you that you may experience some difficulty if you’re looking to build your fire-pit in the rain.
4. Check your surroundings
If you have children or pets in the vicinity, be sure to take this into account when choosing the spot for your fire. Not only do fire pits become extremely hot when in-use but they can remain hot long after the flames have disappeared.
Therefore, if you cannot make the fire out-of-reach or guarded, you should avoiding lighting it when children and pets are within reach.
5. Don’t use a cheat code
Always light your fire using natural firelighters and dry kindling, you don’t need to speed up the starting of the fire. Using petrol, paraffin or other accelerants can cause dangerous flare-ups that will put you and those around the pit at risk.
Utilising good logs, firelighters and kindling will create an efficient and safe fire.
6. Less is more
No-one likes coming away from a summer evening with everything smelling of smoke. We know it can be tempting to add several logs at once, however, overloading the fire pit reduces airflow and can create excessive smoke. Exasperating this issue.
Instead, add logs little and often to maintain a steady, controlled fire and reduce the amount of smoke your guests are taking home!
7. Simple safety matters
Before lighting your fire, make sure you have:
- A bucket of water
- A hosepipe
- Or a fire extinguisher nearby
The little things often make the biggest differences, especially in fire-related incidents. Being prepared means you can react quickly when needed.
8. Don’t be THAT neighbour
Even when using quality firewood, smoke can still travel. No fire-pit is worth a feud with the neighbours over. Avoiding any smoke is a non-starter but you can reduce the impact.
Position your fire away from neighbouring gardens where possible. Avoid burning late into the evening and for the least smoke-producing logs, choose dry hardwood.
9. Let it die out
When you’re ready to finish, stop adding logs and allow the fire to burn down safely.
Once the embers have cooled, dispose of the ashes responsibly.
Never leave a fire unattended or attempt quick-fixes to put it out.
10. With good firewood, comes a good fire
Finally, choosing quality firewood makes a huge difference to both safety and enjoyment.
Kiln-dried hardwood logs produce:
- More heat
- Less smoke
- Fewer sparks
- A cleaner burn
As a result, they’re ideal for summer fire pits and outdoor entertaining. In addition, if you have a few leftover you’ll be all set for the first fire of the Winter when the cold sets in!
Enjoy Summer Evenings Safely
A fire pit is a fantastic addition to any garden, bringing warmth, atmosphere and a place to gather with family and friends. By following these simple safety tips and choosing high-quality, kiln-dried firewood, you’ll enjoy cleaner fires, less smoke and greater peace of mind throughout the summer.
If you’re ready for your next fire, our high-quality kiln-dried logs are ideal for fire pits, outdoor entertaining and summer evenings in the garden.
To find out more, browse our products online or get in touch with the team today. Follow us on social for regular updates: Facebook / Instagram.