How to Keep Your Gas Fire Feature Safe

Outdoor fire pits are the number one growing sales item in the outdoor living market because they are fun, inviting, and easy to maintain. Evening lounges around the fire promote conversation and closeness with a unique ambiance only fire can bring. Already safer than their wood-burning counterparts, practicing these simple steps on how to keep your gas fire feature safe will protect your home, loved ones, and community.

Location

The most important safety precaution is the location of your outdoor gas fire feature. Refer to your owner’s manual and community guidelines for the required perimeter around your fire feature from any structure or combustible surface in your backyard, maintaining plenty of open space for ventilation. Never place the fire feature under low-hanging trees, vegetation, umbrellas, or awnings that could burn or melt. As well, remind guests and family members to keep a safe distance and not wear loose or flammable clothing around the pit.

Fire Extinguisher

Practicing fire safety is needed anywhere you're manipulating or using fire. Owning and maintaining a proper fire extinguisher for each area of your home is a must. A dry-chemical fire extinguisher is essential wherever natural gas or propane is used for fuel as water can damage the appliance and make the fire emergency worse. Proper training and yearly inspection of extinguishers will ensure their operation and bring peace of mind to you and your family.

Inspect Before Use

A simple inspection of the surroundings, fire media, tabletop, and venting can catch any potential hazards before there's a problem. Even though a gas fire feature does not produce embers, it still gets hot and can burn or melt debris. Clearing out the vent and wiping off anything on the surface will safeguard against potential problems. Also, do a quick inspection of the fire media to ensure no toys, plastics, or debris have gotten mixed in.

Turn the Gas Off

Keep the natural gas or propane line off when not in use. Things happen – stuff gets moved, critters come, inclement weather – keeping the gas line off is a practical step to fire pit safety for your home and family.

No Accelerants

One of the benefits of gas and propane fire pits is they are easily ignited with a switch. Never use accelerants to start or grow a fire. These are dangerous practices that put the appliance and property in danger. Accelerants such as gasoline, lighter fluid, alcohol, or any other flammable liquid can cause damage and staining to the fire media and make the flames unsafe.

Unattended Means Unsafe

When operating your outdoor fire feature, never leave it, young children, or pets unattended. Wind guards and fire media still get hot during operation and are very alluring to young hands and wandering curious pets. To prevent accidents, keep young children and animals at least three feet away from the flames.

Owners Manual

Always read through your owner's manual for the proper use and care of our outdoor fire feature. These appliances are easy to use and maintain, and your manufacturer has given you guidelines to keep them in good operation.

Keep it Covered

Keep your fire feature covered when not used to prevent unwanted debris from getting inside and keep it clean from dust, droppings, and spills. A cover also protects your fire pit from weather, such as rain or frost. Ensure the fire feature is completely cooled before covering it, and in harsher climates, store it in a dry place to keep it in good working order.

Get the maximum use and enjoyment from your fire feature by following these safety measures with every use. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), outside fireplaces or pits cause nearly 3,700 grass and brush fires each year. Even though your gas fire pit doesn't produce ash and embers, these guidelines will keep you, your loved ones, and your purchase safe for years to come.