If you’ve invested some time and energy into sprucing up your outdoor space, you might be looking for ways to extend your enjoyment of it. But as the weather gets colder, it’s likely that you'll have to turn to space heaters, fire pits, and other outdoor heaters to make sitting outside comfortable so you can continue to enjoy your outdoor space.
Fire Pit Safety
Who doesn’t love making s’mores around a crackling fire? Fire pits are fun, but you'll need to be careful about how you use your pit or chimenea—here’s how.Pick the perfect spot. This is the biggie—a fire pit can throw sparks and flame, which could put everything surrounding it at risk. Put brick, metal, or stone beneath it; set up chairs at least three feet away from the pit; and keep at least 10 feet between your pit and houses. If your fire pit comes with a screen, use it to give you an extra layer of fire safety.
Watch the weather forecast. Strong gusts could send sparks flying, so skip the pit when it’s windy. If you live in a part of the country that’s prone to wildfires, avoid using a fire pit when the conditions are ripe for starting a wildfire.
Choose the right fuel. Propane or natural gas fire pits are easiest to turn on and off and result in fewer sparks. If you’re burning wood, avoid using pine, cedar, or other softwoods that cause sparks or leftover lumber from your building projects, which may have been treated with harmful chemicals.
Skip the fire enhancers. Using lighter fluid or gasoline may make the fire harder to control. Instead, look up safe ways to start your fire using kindling, such as paper.
Keep a hose (and other fire extinguishing options) handy. Any time you have an open flame, you'll want to make it easy to put it out fast. Make sure your garden hose, fire extinguisher, fire blanket, or even a bucket of water is right beside you.
Watch out for loose clothing. If you’re the person tending the fire, keep your hair tied back and wear tight-fitting clothing to ensure that a loose sleeve or lock of hair doesn’t catch fire.
Don’t leave the fire unattended. Never let the fire go without someone watching it—even if it seems to be dying out. Make sure to pour water or shovel dirt over the last embers, and turn over logs to make sure that no fire remains.
Patio Heater Safety
Patio heaters are a must-have accessory if you don’t have room to have an open fire. Whether you opt for a small tabletop option or a restaurant-style overhead propane heater, you'll be able to take a little of the chill off—just follow these tips to stay safe.Check out the safety features. Choose heating products that have been tested and approved by UL and CSA, and look for ones that feature tip-over switches and automatic shutoffs to help reduce the risk of a fire.
Pick a heater that’s outdoor rated. That means the heater’s components are built to withstand the temperature changes (and inevitable rain) that come when they’re outside.
Find a stable place to place your heater. It’s best to place a patio heater on level ground—ideally a patio or deck. Putting it on grass or dirt could make for an unstable surface that could result in it falling over.
Consider your fuel source. Most patio heaters either run on propane gas or electricity. Propane ones tend to provide stronger heat but are more expensive to run and require refilling propane tanks regularly. Electrical ones are easier to run but may not provide the power you need.
Don’t take them indoors. Most outdoor heaters (especially the propane ones) are not meant to be used indoors or under covered conditions. Using a propane heater inside could put you at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, so keep it outside.
