Our Company Blog

Fire Safety Tips

As cool weather arrives, so does burn season. If you have a custom outdoor room by IBD Outdoor Rooms, you may have a fireplace or fire pit. Even a gas stove should be used with caution. This is in order to keep the family and property safe from injury and damage.

At IBD Outdoor Rooms, it’s our priority to provide beautiful and functional products for homeowners that are safe and durable. It’s important that those who enjoy the fire products will also exercise caution. Remember fire safety while a fire is in use! As you prepare for cool weather, it’s a good idea to brush up on your fire safety. This way you can make sure everyone in your home does as well.

Identify Who Should Operate Fire Appliances

Hosting a get-together at your home? Simply relaxing by a fire in the evening? Either way, it’s important for everyone to know who is and isn’t allowed to feed, stoke, or control the fire. Let everyone know their role so that those that are young or inexperienced are aware of the danger of the fire. Make sure that you have rules established for guests, and that children are kept out of harms way at all times and NEVER left unattended with a fire.

Is Your Fireplace, Fire Pit, or Appliance is Ready for a Fire?

It may be unsafe for a fire to burn in your appliance. Haven’t had a recent inspection or sweep? You may have a venting issue that puts your family at risk. If you haven’t had your fireplace inspected in the last 12 months, you should schedule an inspection now. Have an outdoor fireplace or fire pit? If so, you should make sure that it is clean, connections are secure, and that it’s clear of flammables.

Make Sure You’re Using the Correct Fuel

Believe it or not, some homeowners buy products from a home improvement store or online. In doing this, they often forget about securing the correct fuel or having it installed and connected to the fuel source. Make sure you know the difference between bio-ethanol fuel and natural gas. Mistaking one fuel for another can cause a devastating accident. If you plan to burn wood, make sure you burn properly seasoned wood so that it burns cleanly. In addition, it throws less sparks into the air that may ignite nearby debris.

Keep Children Away from a Flame

Some fireplace and fire pit designs can be decorative. The Art of Fire designs sold by IBD Outdoor Rooms are visual expressions of art, that children may not realize are dangerous. Again, be sure children are not left unattended. Also, if your guests have children they keep them under a watchful eye.

Watch the Weather

Do not use your fire appliance during times of high wind or when your area is at high risk for wildfire. Despite the safety testing and features on most fire products, natural disasters happen frequently and unexpectedly. One strong wind gust can create an uncontrollable fire. If you’re not certain how to prepare for your first season with your outdoor fire pit, consult the campfire safety tips compiled by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Better Safe than Sorry

When it comes to your family, your property, and your community, it’s important to exercise caution first. A little more planning, a little more discussion and preparation, and you just might prevent a costly disaster. For more information about fire pit safety, click here.

By Sheryl Isenhour | Tagged with: Tags: , , | Comments Off on Fire Safety Tips

Safety around the Fire Pit

 

A fire pit is an excellent addition to your outdoors. Just make sure you know the basics in fire pit safety so that there won't be any accidents.

A fire pit is an excellent addition to your outdoors. Just make sure you know the basics in fire pit safety so that there won’t be any accidents.

Fire pits have become increasingly popular in recent years—they’re the #1 requested backyard design feature according to the American Society of Landscape Architects—and the trend shows no signs of losing steam. The warmth and joy that radiates from the open fire can make parties, intimate gatherings, and simple marshmallow roasts the most sought-after and enjoyable activities of the spring, summer, and autumn months. However, fire pits are wrought with dangers, and to ensure everyone’s safety, there are important safety tips every fire pit owner should know.

Fire Pit Basics

As with any situation involving fire, there are many safety measures homeowners can take to ensure that you and yours remain safe. The following safety protocols are a good jumping off point:

  • Always keep a fire extinguisher handy.
  • Keep a first aid kit on hand for any accidental burns.
  • Don’t light a fire in windy conditions. One stray spark can cause a large fire in no time.
  • Don’t light a fire if a fire warning has been issued in your area.
  • Don’t allow children to light or play near the fire. Closely supervise children at all times around your fire pit.
  • Always use seasoned wood and kindling to light your fire. Avoid using soft woods (e.g., pine or cedar) because they can pop and throw sparks. Do NOT use accelerants (e.g., gasoline, lighter fluid, or alcohol) or trash to light a fire.
  • Put out the fire completely before leaving the pit unattended or before going inside for the evening. Even the smallest fire can become a large fire quickly; as such, embers should be completely extinguished.
  • Safely dispose of all ashes.

Fire Pit Positioning

You should set up your fire pit in an area that is well away (at least 10 feet) from adjacent walls or building overhangs. You’ll also want to make sure the area is free of combustible materials and on a noncombustible surface. Move all outdoor furniture at least 3 feet away from the fire pit as well. Keep an eye out for low-hanging branches and drooping power lines overhead, and place the pit well clear of them.

Fire pits are very popular, but you need to keep fire pit safety in mind when using one. The tips listed in this blog will help you get the most out of your enjoyable outdoor addition and reduce the likelihood of injury and/or damage to your property. The professionals at IBD Outdoor Rooms are ever ready to meet and exceed your expectations. Give us a call (704-960-4530) or contact us via our website to see how we can assist you with all of your outdoor living projects.

The Science of Combustion

In order to have combustion, you must have three main elements: oxygen, fuel and heat. If there is too much or too little of any of the three, the process will be ineffective at best, and dangerous at worst.

Maintaining proper draft is critical for safe and efficient burning.

Maintaining proper draft is critical for safe and efficient burning.

By Sheryl Isenhour | Tagged with: Tags: , , , , , | Comments Off on The Science of Combustion