Use Caution When
Playing With Fire, Even in the Backyard
It’s a great feeling to hang out with friends and family
around a blazing fire in your backyard in New Hampshire, especially on chilly fall
evenings — unless, of course, that fire blazes a little too much.
A fire pit can be a wonderful addition to your home, but it’s
important to remember that all fires are potentially dangerous. So before you
sit down to make s’mores, review the following fire pit safety tips to help you
keep that fire in the pit and away from everything else:
Is it legal?
· Before building or buying a fire pit, check the
regulations in your area to learn about restrictions.
· Your fire pit may be legal, but a fire might not
always be. Monitor and follow community burn bans.
· Be respectful. Nothing can extinguish the good
vibes of a nice fire more quickly than police complaints from smoked-out
neighbors.
What kind of pit do
you want?
· You can buy a fire pit or build one. If you
choose the latter, there are plenty of resources online to help you design it.
Don’t dig a hole just anywhere and throw some rocks down; put some thought into
it and you’ll have a better, safer spot to enjoy.
· If you want convenience, a propane model might be
right for you. These types of fire pits produce less smoke and have an
adjustable flame.
Before your start
building your fire:
· First, ensure that the area under and around
your fire pit is clear of flammable materials, and keep the pit itself at least
10 feet from any structures.
·
Before
you start the fire, make sure you have a fire extinguisher or a garden hose
handy.
Ready to build your
fire? Here’s what to do:
· Choose hard, seasoned woods. Sparks from softer
woods like cedar can increase the danger of igniting something nearby.
· Don’t use liquid fuels, even lighter fluid, to
get your fire going. It’s also not a good idea to burn paper, cardboard,
leaves, garbage, etc.
· If you have a metal fire pit, don’t overload it
and always use the included safety screen.
Put the fire out
completely:
· When you’re done, spread out the ashes and let
them cool off for a bit. Then gently pour water or sand over them. Stick around
for a little while to watch for flare-ups.
At Hunkins & Eaton Insurance Agency in Littleton and
Lisbon, NH, we want you to have plenty of nice, warm nights — without getting
burned. Here’s to making memories around the fire!
For additional safety tips and useful resources, please read our other blog
posts, and connect with us on Facebook,
Twitter and Google+.
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