Fire Pit Safety Tips for the Summer

Fire Pit Safety Tips for the Summer

It’s summertime! Break out the graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows, s’mores are calling your name. Drag out the fire pit and have a drink with some buddies by the fire. Fire up the grill and make some burgers. But it’s also wildfire season, threatening blazes that can easily grow out of control and cost lives. So when using fire pits, it is important to use caution.

To balance the good and the bad, here is a recipe for the perfect s’more, along with a few ways to spice it up, and tips on how to safely use a fire pit.

The Perfect S’more

Start with a wood fire, preferably without lighter fluid so your s’more will taste better. Don’t start roasting right away, as coals are the best source of heat. Set up your graham crackers and chocolate for optimum s’more-to-mouth expediency. Spear your ‘mallow and stick it near, but not too near, the coals. This is the hardest part: patience. Your marshmallow should turn golden brown and bubbly. Put that beautifully toasty ‘mallow on top of the graham cracker and chocolate, using the second cracker to mash it off the toasting stick.

If you wait to consume your s’more, the hot marshmallow will melt the chocolate so your s’more reaches maximum ooziness. Enjoy!

If you want a s’more that is slightly different, consider these tricks: put your chocolate and marshmallow on an opened Oreo. Add a few peanut butter chips to it, or drizzle it with caramel. Put a banana in your s’more, or use a different kind of chocolate. Don’t have a fire pit? Stick a large ‘mallow on the end of a long toothpick, dip it in melted chocolate, then roll it in crumbled graham crackers; set in fridge to harden. Any way you do it, it’ll still be delicious!

Fire Pit Safety

Fire pits and campfires are almost always associated with summer, sitting out in the backyard or other area with family, friends, and the dog, toasting marshmallows for those aforementioned s’mores. It’s magical, watching the smoke rise to the stars and twist around trees.

However, there are a few safety precautions that must be taken. Fire Prevention Week in October always goes over these things, but not usually in much detail. Make sure that the fire or fire pit is at least 10 feet away from any structure and flammable surface. Sparks can travel a long way. Also make sure that, should you be using a fire pit, you place it on a solid and flat surface. Using a screen to cover the pit will help contain the fire and protect it from an errant wind. When putting out a fire, you should always douse it completely with water or dirt, to prevent anything from relighting.

Use these tips to have a great summer without worrying about your fire kindling any big blazes. Relax in your backyard and enjoy your s’mores!

Sara Stricker has written dozens of articles, and bounces from topic to topic as the day goes by.