| With old man winter in full effect people | | | | fireplace, fire bowl or fire pit don't |
| have started to more fully utilize their | | | | overload it. These were not meant to provide |
| outdoor patio heaters, fire pits and fire | | | | excessive amounts of heat. Keep it filled to |
| places. Nights are crisp and cold. Everyone | | | | the manufacturer's recommended fuel source |
| is turning up the heat or adding a few extra | | | | levels. These were not meant to be outdoor |
| logs to their outdoor fire bowl. While any | | | | bonfire containers! |
| outdoor heating device adds both comfort and | | | | |
| charm to any patio or garden it is always | | | | • When using heating devices outside |
| important to keep safety in mind. | | | | you still must be mindful of anything |
| | | | combustible within a three foot clearance. If |
| Here are a few suggestions from Patio and | | | | the heating element comes in contact with |
| Play for keeping your patio and garden area | | | | paper or clothing, it will easily ignite |
| safe this winter. | | | | them. |
| | | | |
| • Number one on the list… Any | | | | • Do not ever discard ash or embers in |
| heating device that uses fuel, including wood | | | | trashcans. The heat created will ignite |
| in the fireplace, is a potential source of | | | | anything that it come into contact with. The |
| carbon monoxide. This is a colorless, | | | | best way to take care of this problem is to |
| odorless, poisonous gas. Make sure there is | | | | use a metal bucket for ashes and leave the |
| adequate ventilation and realize even if you | | | | bucket on the lawn for the night. Discard the |
| are outdoors CO2 gasses rise and can stay | | | | next day. |
| trapped in confined areas. You may consider | | | | |
| having a outdoor ceiling fan on low to move | | | | • Never leave a heater on when you go |
| the heat (and gas buildup) around. | | | | inside. (much less to bed) When the night is |
| | | | done make sure your fire is out and your |
| • If children are present make sure | | | | patio heater is off. Turn the propane off at |
| that any heating device be out of the way of | | | | the canister as well as shutting it off at |
| any foot traffic. Children at play have a | | | | the thermostat. If you have been using an |
| high potential for knocking over free | | | | outdoor fireplace you can throw a little dirt |
| standing patio heaters or falling into or | | | | on the embers to assist in smothering what is |
| onto a fire bowl or fire pit. If your kids | | | | left of your fire. Be especially considerate |
| are going to be playing outside while you | | | | if this device is used on a deck or porch. |
| enjoy the heat explain to them before hand | | | | |
| the potential for harm. | | | | While it's fun to sit around the heat outside |
| | | | in the backyard on a cold night and swap |
| • If using a patio heater check the | | | | stories, you should keep in mind that it can |
| hoses that lead from your fuel source (often | | | | be dangerous if not done carefully. These |
| a propane tank) to the heaters itself. | | | | tips can keep your outdoor area cozy, |
| | | | comfortable and safe for the entire family. |
| • Also if using a patio heater check | | | | |
| the heating area for any blockage. Make sure | | | | For a list of safetey-tested outdoor fire |
| all screens are kept free of debris. You | | | | pits and fireplaces, visit Patio and Play / |
| never know if a wasp decided to nest over the | | | | Fireplaces and Pits . For a selection of |
| summer and anything blocking full flow could | | | | outdoor patio heaters with built-in safety |
| create issues. | | | | tilt switches go to Patio and Play / |
| | | | Heaters. |
| • If using a chimnea, outdoor | | | | |