Safety for your outdoor firepitBy JHCadmin, October 23, 2009 Fire pits can offer a cozy and fun way to spend clear, Fall evenings. They offer a variety of activity for your family including s'more making, marshmallow roasting, singing, visiting and more. They can even assist you with educating your children about how to make a safe fire and keep it burning brightly.Here are some safety tips that Rich's for the Home recommends to keep your fire and family happy:Use Fire Starters to start the flames as opposed to paper. Paper breaks apart easily. It can blow away and spread flames.Make seating around the fire movable so that people can move back if flames get too big or too hot.As tempting as it is to place your fire pit right on your back porch, you should consider other placement if your porch is made from wood and/or if your house is within 8 feet of it.Don't use your fire pit to burn garbage.Stack wood near your fire pit in a safe (not towering) small pile. Better yet, keep it enclosed via a bin or wheelbarrow. Move remainder of wood far away from fire pit when done with fire.Don't toss in items that won't really burn. It is not the place for soda cans.Buy a screen for the top of your fire pit. Use it if embers start flying.Teach children not to run and play around the fire pit while a fire is burning.Teach children to respect the fire and the power of it. Show them what a flying ember can do to nearby leaves, for instance. Or how a stick turns black when it is placed in the fire.Instill rules such as not starting a fire without an adult home and how to make sure the fire is out when people are done with it. If you have small children, practice the "Stop" concept. Children need to learn that when you say "Stop!", they are immediately to stop moving and freeze wherever they are. Practice it often, reteach it as often as you can and demand respect of it. (This also helps you if you have a busy road near your home).Use long-handled lighters as opposed to short, wooden matches.Make sure that your wood supply is dry, versus green, and that you have a good amount of smaller pieces to assist in starting the fire.Recent Articles See All Complete Fire Pits by Fire Garden: Big, Bold, Beautiful Flames Fire Pits Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:June 1, 2023 Dreaming of a fully-assembled, weatherproof fire pit that provides cozy warmth year-round? Check out Complete Fire Pits, a new line of fire pits manufactured locally by our friends at Travis Industries. Read More Minimalist, Modern, Danish Patio Furniture by Houe Outdoor Furniture Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:May 1, 2023 Rich’s customers love the Danish modern, minimalistic style of Houe furnishings, so we continue to expand our line each year. Check out our selection of dining tables and chairs, cafe tables, chaise lounges, rocking chairs, tray tables, and benches. Read More Adirondack Chairs: Weatherproof and Environmentally Friendly Outdoor Furniture Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:April 3, 2023 MADirondack (by Seaside Casual), is a modern take on the Adirondack style. These sleek ergonomic chairs have a seat height of 14" and an arm height of 22". Read More 7 Must-Have Hot Tub and Swim Spa Features Hot Tubs and Swim Spas Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:March 1, 2023 An effective and enjoyable way to get pain relief is in a hydrotherapy spa or swim spa. Powerful jets alleviate body aches, while the buoyancy from the water takes pressure off joints. Read More Rich's New Tigard, Oregon Store: A Chat with Manager Rick Campbell General Articles Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:February 1, 2023 Meet Tigard, Oregon store manager, Rick Campbell, who has been in the hot tub/patio/BBQ business more than 25 years in the Portland metro area. Read More Grill Islands - Easily Create an Outdoor Kitchen in Your Backyard Grills Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:January 2, 2023 Grill islands: Modular outdoor kitchens with grill(s), workspace, fridge, storage, and more. Read More