How to Build a Safe Fire Pit

Building a fire pit can be a great way to relax and enjoy the summer months or a fun way to stay warm outside during the colder months. With a fire pit you can deter bugs, make S'mores, or just tell stories. You can buy a fire pit at a growing number of stores but they can be expensive and a pain to keep around. It can be really fun and easy to make your own fire pit-but if you build your own fire pit, it's important to build it safely. This article will show you hot to build a safe fire pit.

Things You'll Need

• Rocks
• A Shovel

Instructions

1. 

   Choose a Location. The first step to build a safe fire pit is to choose a safe location. The best spot is usually in the middle of the yard (or area). Never build a fire pit next to a fence or next to the surrounding brush-it won't be safe fire pit. Anywhere in a wide area away from trees and other plants will be a great location to build a safe fire pit. When picking a location keep in mind it might be harmful to the grass or other plants growing underneath, so it can be helpful to pick a spot where no plants are living. Certainly don't build your fire pit close to the house, leave at least fifteen feet between the house and your fire pit. Location is a crucial aspect when your goal is to build a safe fire pit.

2. 

   Dig a Hole for your Fire Pit. Once you have selected a location for the fire pit, you need to grab a shovel and dig a hole for your fire pit. To build a safe fire pit, make the hole 2' or 3' feet deep, and 3' or 4' feet across. You can alter the size of the fire pit a little, but try to maintain the same proportions. To build a safe fire pit, use the dirt you dig up from the ground to make a ring around your fire pit. This will ensure that no flames will crawl out of the fire pit. When you build a safe fire pit, create a large hole to keep the flames away from anything that might catch fire.

3. 

   Circle the Pit with Rocks. Once you have a hole, you need find some large rocks to put around the fire pit. To build a safe fire pit, you need something around the ring of the fire to act as a barrier between the fire pit and your lawn (or legs). You can surround your fire pit with anything that's not flammable. Rocks seem to work best though because they don't absorb as much heat at metal, don't melt like plastic, and are usually pretty easy to stumble across. Build a circle of rocks around your fire pit until you have a ring of rocks about one foot high. The ring of rocks will help you build a safe fire pit by acting as a barrier to the flames.

4. 

   Fill a Container of Water. Before you sit down to enjoy the safe fire pit you just built, find a container of water just in case things get a little hot. How much water you need really depends on how large your fire is. Try to have at least 2-3 gallons of water on hand. This water will keep you-and your lawn-safe if your fire tries to stray too far out of the fire pit. Sometimes the fire will crackle or pop or the wind will take small embers from the fire and it's always a good idea to have water handy. When you build a safe fire pit, don't underestimate the importance of water on hand.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't put your fire pit under trees or near plants