With the uncertainty of whether summer holidays will be allowed this year, more of us are looking to improve our gardens so that we have a tranquil, relaxing space to spend time in during the warmer months. If you don’t usually spend much time outside, but are looking to this year, you may be considering starting to use outdoor fires such as barbecues, fire pits for bonfires.
Whether you are spending time just with your household, or entertaining for a larger group of family and friends, there are some important points that you should be aware of to ensure your outdoor fires are kept safe for you, your family and the environment.
What do you need to consider when having a fire in your garden?
The first step you should take before lighting any type of fire outdoors is to assess the weather conditions. You should not attempt to light a fire if there is wind present. A fire should be kept at plenty of distance from anything that may catch fire such as buildings, fences, gates, sheds, plants and trees. If you know you have anything flammable in your garden such as oil tanks and pipes, make sure you assess the correct distance that you should keep.
A fire should never be left unattended, and always keep children and animals away from the area. Make sure any garden games are kept away from the away too.
Before you light a fire in your garden, make sure you have a bucket of water or a hosepipe to put out the fire if it gets out of hand. In an emergency, don’t hesitate to call the emergency services for help.
Tips for having a safe barbecue
- Make sure your barbecue is on even, level ground.
- Keep it away from any objects that may catch alight such as houses, sheds, furniture, fences, trees and plants.
- Use only barbecue-approved firelighters and fuel
- Keep children and pets away from the barbecue area
- Never leave a barbecue unattended
- Don’t attempt to move, cover or store your barbecue until it has completely cooled down after use.
- If you have a gas barbecue, there are extra precautions you should be aware of. You can read them here.
Camping or glamping fire safety
If you are planning a staycation at a campsite this summer, it is very important to be aware of the fire safety surrounding camping or glamping. When you arrive at the campsite, you should do the following:
- Make sure that any caravans and tents are at least six metres apart
- Find out what fire fighting arrangements are in place for the campsite
- Keep a torch handy for emergencies – don’t use a lit candle
During your stay in your tent, no matter the size of it, you should be weary of the safety of you and other campers. You should always cook outside, giving plenty of space between the fire and any tents. Keep the cooking area clear of any flammable materials, including long grass, which when dry can create a large fire very quickly. Store any flammable liquids and gas bottles outside of the tent and away from children. Inside the tent, do not smoke or light candles under any circumstances.
View our range of Glamping Stoves here.
If you are looking to upgrade your garden ready for entertaining this summer, we have a wide range of outdoor and glamping fires including barbecues and outdoor stoves in store at our Shrewsbury based showroom. Pop in store to view our range, or call us on 01743 231773 for more information.
