Get matched with top fire pit installation pros in Milford, UT

You should only use water to put out a fire in your fireplace in an emergency situation. Even then, it is better to use a fire extinguisher to put out a fire quickly. Make sure every room in your house that has a fireplace also has a fire extinguisher—and that everyone in your household knows how to use one.

You can let a fire burn out in a fireplace as long as you or someone else will stick around to monitor it until it goes completely out. This may take several hours. To prepare, stop adding fuel to the fire well before you’re ready to call it a night. If you’re using the fireplace for warmth, you’ll want to cover up in some blankets as the flame dies down.

Most homeowners put a layer of compact sand or gravel at the bottom of their firepit, but you can also choose more decorative options like fire-resistant paving stones, bricks, or fire pit glass. Dirt by itself can even work, but other materials do a better job of spreading the heat around.

You can’t gauge the lifetime of a fire door like you could, say, an engine. Fire doors should be checked at least once every six months to ensure there are no signs of degradation like leaks, holes, water damage, termite damage, or anything else that might compromise the functionality of the door’s fire resistance. Check your smoke detectors while you’re at it.