A fire pit can do so much to enhance your time outside.
Not only does it extend your enjoyable time by keeping you warm and shedding light on the scene, but the dancing flames and ambient mood a fire pit creates add that extra something special to your outdoor gatherings. They become the centerpiece for all of the interaction and fun -- whether you’re roasting marshmallows for s’mores or just sitting nearby for the heat.
While fire pits offer tremendous enjoyment, it’s not uncommon for you to wonder, “Are backyard fire pits safe?” If you have people, pets, and children mingling, roaming, and playing around a fire, it’s natural to worry about safety where fire is concerned.
Focusing on fire pit safety is a key part of their enjoyment. Just a few easy choices and precautions can ensure you and your family’s safety, so you can have a worry-free time enjoying all of the fire pit benefits.
Outdoor Fire Pit Safety
Fire pits can make for great memories with your family and friends -- whether it’s backyard parties, indulging in sweet treats, or catching fireflies amid the flickering flames.
And you want to be busy focusing on entertaining and not worrying about a dangerous situation involving fire.
Keeping these 3 outdoor fire pit safety tips in mind when planning your fire feature design or renovating your backyard to include a fire feature can give you peace of mind.
1. Know Your Municipality’s Rules
Each Chicago area municipality has rules that dictate where permanent fire features can be located in relation to homes.
The outdoor fire pit safety rules vary greatly from municipality to municipality. Some municipalities say fire features can be located 10 to 12 feet from the house, while others must be 25 to 30 feet from the house.
The first thing your landscape professional will do is check into your specific location’s codes and regulations before they even begin designing your backyard fire feature to ensure it’s done correctly.
2. Opt For a Safer Fuel Choice
A gas fire pit is definitely the most popular option at a rate of approximately three to one in the Greater Chicago area. It’s also a bit safer than a wood-burning option.
There’s no chopping wood and no need for lighter fluid or matches when you choose a gas option. Just turn the gas valve and hit a button and you have instant flames.
And you don’t have to worry about continuing to feed wood to the fire either or dealing with soot, ash, or debris.
A gas fire pit requires a specialized pipe fitting to connect the fire pit to a gas line. A landscaping professional will bring in a licensed plumber for the job to ensure it’s done while keeping outdoor fire pit safety in mind.
If you really want a wood-burning fire feature, the safer way to do this is by installing a full fireplace.
3. Try a Fire Table
A really popular way to add a fire feature to suburban Chicago backyards today is by incorporating a fire table.
Fire tables are outdoor pieces of furniture that can bring luxury and style to your outdoor patio or living room. They bring so much enjoyment by providing a central gathering area for sharing stories and enjoying time together.
They are also incredibly convenient. Gas-driven fire tables are neat, easy to use, and don’t require a lot of cleaning or maintenance. Fire tables typically don’t get as hot as a wood-burning fire pit because the gas flame dissipates, making them a nice way to practice outdoor fire pit safety.
Get a Safer Fire Pit
Now that you are armed with outdoor fire pit safety tips, it’s time to dream up the perfect fire feature to dress up your elegant suburban Chicago backyard.
A fire feature should fit in with your home and landscape design, provide hours of entertainment and good times, and be safe.
Still having a hard time deciding what kind of fire pit you want and the best ways you can ensure a safe and fun backyard? We get it -- it’s a big choice and you want to enjoy your fire pit.
KD Landscape can provide you with some great design concepts so you can get exactly what you’re looking for and feel confident that safety was top of mind from initial design to installation to completion.
Ready to see how KD Landscape can give you the fire pit you’ve been longing for at your Greater Chicago home? We’d love to share our design and installation expertise with you. Get started today with a free consultation. Together, we can add warmth and light to your backyard.
