Whether you’re kicking back and having a beer with the boys or spending some time with your family, a backyard bonfire really ties the entire experience together. But at the end of the day, stoking these roaring flames can be dangerous—even going so far as to cause severe injuries and property damage. As such, it’s up to you to take the necessary precautions to keep everyone and everything nearby safe. Use these safety tips for building backyard fires so that you can fully enjoy the warm summer nights ahead.
Acquire Logs of the Right Shape and Size
A solid foundation is the key to any successful project, and the same is often true for a sturdy fire. Creating the best fires often begins with the quality of the wood you’re using and how you cut it. You’ll either want to buy wood that you can stack easily or purchase a log splitter if you want to cut it yourself. This way, your materials won’t fall apart and scatter sparks after only a few minutes of burning. Additionally, make sure that you aren’t using treated wood such as plywood or components from old furniture in your fire since they contain potentially poisonous chemicals.
Keep an Eye on Your Local Weather
Consider what the weather conditions will be like when you’re going to set a fire. Heavy winds can affect how quickly wood will catch and blow ashes or sparks everywhere once you finally get a flame going. Therefore, in the interest of avoiding burns and runny eyes, it’s best to wait for a day with more stable weather patterns.
Place Your Fire Pit Away From the Home
Another crucial safety tip for building backyard fires is to position your fire pit in the proper place. Even the tamest of fires can leap out and set something close to it aflame. For this reason, fire pits should always be at least ten feet away from your home or any neighboring structures. Lawn chairs should also be at least a few feet from the flames to help prevent injuries to those sitting around them.
Use a Quality Fire Pit Cover
Utilizing a fire pit cover can be beneficial as well. While many people think that these accessories only serve to enhance the beauty of your bonfire area, that simply isn’t the case. When made with durable metals, these products can help keep debris from flying out of the fire. This can protect you from burns and prevent damage to your outdoor furniture. As such, there are several reasons why you’d want to invest in one.
Have a Bucket of Water Ready
Lastly, keep a bucket of water nearby in case something goes wrong. You never know when sparks could burn the surrounding grass or cause your fire to grow too large to control. Should that happen, you’ll want something within reach that can immediately eliminate the threat. Even if you don’t use it, it’s always better to have a backup plan.
Van Rundell is a writer and author who specializes in transportation, travel, guidance, health & fitness. With over 10 years of experience in the industry as a driver and an entrepreneur, he has seen it all. His tone is professional but friendly with a dash of humor thrown in for good measure. In past, he has been advising, educating and writing about transport for the public and professionals alike.
A qualified fitness instructor with over 5 years’ experience as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, Van brings his deep knowledge of health and exercise science to his articles on health & fitness.
