No, it would help if you did not leave embers burning in a fire pit. The most common thing that starts a fire is an ember. They are light enough to be carried by the wind and can spread wildfires quickly by sparking. Leaving embers in a fire pit unattended is considered against the law in many places. Fire is an unpredictable thing, and even the slightest breeze can cause them to spread. Also, if you leave a fire pit already lit, you could be fined, jailed, or both.
Why You Should Not Leave Your Fire Pit Burning
As a fire pit is one of the sources of home happiness, like every other fire-related machinery, they have some safety precautions that must be followed. And one of the safety actions is not to leave your fit burning or embers that are still igniting.
Here we have discussed some severe reasons why you should never leave a burning fire pit;
Loss of life and risk of fatality:
Life must be protected as the priority, and the safety of your family members and neighbors is essential. One mistake of leaving a fire pit while it is burning can take the lives of many for whom you care. Embers fly from fire, and it starts ignition with dry leaves or anything flammable. Thus, the fire spreads in the blink of an eye. Even if you have called the firefighters, remember fire is uncontrollable, and none can guarantee safety while it is widespread.
Law and jurisdiction:
It is against the law in every part of the United States to leave an open fire unattended. As you already know, an unattended fire may cause severe accidents and loss of property and life, so countries consider this action an offense. Every year, American homeowners who leave their fire pit unattended pay legal fines that cost them money they could spend elsewhere.
Risk of damage to own and neighbor’s property:
If you leave your fire pit overnight, you are putting yourself and your neighbors in danger. Intense night winds can blow embers from an unattended fire pit into nearby yards, where they could start a fire in a neighbor’s house or other outdoor structures. If a fire is left alone, it can completely burn a home in less than 5 minutes.
And the worst thing is that most companies do not pay home insurance if its a fire damage. So, on the contrary, you will get fine or jail punishment for this.
How Long can Embers Burn?
In a fire burning for about two hours, embers will remain for three to twenty-four hours. If there is enough oxygen, embers can start to burn again even after 12 hours. Embers are usually burned leaves, which are small and light. This makes them easy to get into the air and start a fire. In the US, many houses suffer from fire disasters caused by left embers. So, it is better to use a metal lid, even after successfully putting out the fire.
[Related Article: What is the best fuel for a fire pit? ]
How to Stop Embers Quickly?
Putting out embers after the fire is crucial for avoiding unwanted ember-caused fire disasters. Here are some quick ways how to stop the embers;
Use water:
Pouring water directly into the fire pit is an option to stop the ember quickly. However, we do not recommend this because it will create a swamp of ashes and cause your fire pit to rust. So, it is better to scoop out the ashes and embers with a shovel and then place it in a metal can. Now pour water into the can and put its lid on.
Use Sand:
Using the nearby available sand or dirt in your house is a great way to put out the embers quickly, and it is easy to clean afterward. In addition, sand has the property of absorbing heat and putting out the fire immediately.
Put a metal lid or cover:
Many fire pits have a metal lid designated, which is very convenient. However, buying a metal lid or cover is excellent for your fire pit safety if you do not have one. The metal fire pit lid prevents the wind from getting in touch with the embers, so they cool down on their own.
[You may also like: What is the best place to put your fire pit?]
Can You Leave Your Fire Pit Buring on DayTime?
No, you can not leave your fire pit anytime, day or night. Do not leave a fire pit open burning because, in the daytime, the wind can be strong enough to blow the embers to any flammable substance and catch fire.
How Quickly Can Fire Spread?
An unattended fire can burn a house down in less than 4-5 minutes. But, according to the USA department of homeland security, it takes 30 seconds for a fire to gain speed. In a forest, fire moves about 9.6 km or 6 miles per hour, and on grassland, it drives about 22.5 km or 14 miles per hour. And the embers can travel up to 40 km or 25 miles per hour ahead of the fire. Heat is transferred in three ways: radiation, convection, and conduction. This is how fire spreads. As long as there is enough air and fuel, the fire will keep going.
What to Do If an Accident Takes Place?
If a fire accident takes place, below are some emergency actions that you need to take-
- If the fire from the fire pit goes uncontrolled and catches nearby structures, use the fire extinguisher or sand that you kept nearby for safety purposes.
- If the fire is more prominent and can not be controlled, do not take risks; instead, turn on the fire alarm
- Cut all the electric lines and switches and call to the fire force
- And immediately evacuate every living being in the house.
How to Cool Down a Hot Fire Pit Quickly?
It’s better to wait for the fire pit to cool down. If you accidentally touch the fire pit, you might get a minor burn or blister on your hand. If you want to cool down a fire pit quickly, poring water or scooping out the firewood, coal, and ash are all options.
Cool down the fire pit using water
You can use a bucket of cold water or a garden hose if you want to cool down the fire pit on your own. A straight water flow can start a fire, so use a hose. While you put out the fire with water, stay away from the flames. The water close to the flames will turn into steam that boils and can hurt you very badly. You must keep pouring water in until all the ashes are turned into a swamp. Now, take out the ashes by scooping and wiping the fire pit.
Cooling down without water
Scoop the firewood, coal, and ashes with a shovel or snuffer and put them in a metal can. Now pour some vegetable oil with the help of a brush, and do not touch the fire pit barehand. Instead, use heat-protective gloves. The temperature will decrease slowly, but not as fast as water works. Remember to pour water into the can where you put the ash and the lid on.
Hope this guide helps. Please let us know if you have any questions in the comments below.
