Firepits, Chimineas, and outdoor fireplaces are becoming increasingly popular in our gardens. They bring warmth and ambiance to a garden gathering.
Before you light your fire
- Make sure that your firepit is steady to minimise the risk of it toppling over.
- Avoid placing your firepit on decking or near trees and structures like sheds or fences.
- Check the local weather and wind direction before lighting your fire. Make sure that anything downwind that’s flammable is moved.
- Before you light your fire make sure you have a way to put it out at hand, keep a bucket of water, sand or garden hose nearby just in case.
Be a good neighbour
- When burning anything in your garden please consider the effect the smoke may have on you neighbours.
- Smoke from your fire may force people to close windows and prevent them from cooling their homes. People with breathing difficulties and respiratory disorders often suffer more in hot conditions and the smoke from a fire may make their condition worse.
- If your neighbours have washing out, please let them know of your intentions to have a fire so that they have an opportunity to gather it in before you start burning.
- Be willing to extinguish your fire. If a neighbour is being affected by your fire please don’t take it personally. The considerate thing to do would be to extinguish the fire and relieve their discomfort.
Lighting your firepit
- Never use chemicals such as petrol to start your fire, instead use kindling to create small fire and then slowly add the larger wood.
- Make sure that you use kiln dried wood to reduce the risk of sparks and smoke. Never use painted, coated or pressure treated wood as these can release toxic chemicals into the air.
- Never burn things like plastic, rubber or general waste, these can also release toxic chemicals into the air.
Keep children at a safe distance
- Children should not play near any fire.
- Make sure children are properly supervised and warn your guests of the dangers too.
Enjoying your firepit
- Never leave any fire unattended, whether it is a barbecue, firepit or in a chiminea.
- Fire and alcohol don’t mix. Don’t drink too much alcohol if you are in charge of the fire.
- It is good practice to set a ‘safe zone’ around your firepit and make sure that children and guests don’t enter it.
Remember
- Make sure your firepit is fully extinguished before you go to bed.