On a cold evening, you may enjoy cozying up next to a fire. Whether you have an internal fireplace or want to roast marshmallows over your outdoor fire pit, just make sure that you stay safe. Before you put your firewood to use, here are four safety practices to remember.

1. Keep Vulnerable People Away

Fire and smoke can affect anyone who gets too close. Therefore, you should always pay extra attention to your children, pets, and even older relatives that may be nearby. According to the EPA, children and older adults are the most at risk for being negatively affected by fire smoke. If there are children in the area, don't let them get too close to the fire. If you're worried about your animals being mischievous, you may want to keep them inside while you enjoy your time by the fire.

2. Watch Your Clothing

Be very careful with the type of clothing you're wearing. Clothes that are too loose and flowing can become a fire hazard since they can easily catch fire if you're standing too close. So, if you're wearing things such as loose scarves or flowing robes, take it off or tie it back before you tend to the fire.

3. Don’t Use Gas

Be careful with how you start the fire. While you may want to ignite it quickly, be aware that things like gasoline or alcohol are highly flammable. As a result, you may end up having a much bigger gush of fire than you were anticipating.

4. Have a Fire Extinguisher

Fire extinguishers are one of the best safety tools you can use. You should always have at least one or more of them on your property. Whether you're enjoying your fireplace, fire pit, or cooking meat over the grill, have a properly graded extinguisher nearby that you can quickly grab. It's a tool that could easily save your life and stop a fire from getting out of control.

As the colder months approach us, people will have more of an excuse to purchase firewood. If you need quality firewood, contact Stone Bridge Landscape & Masonry today for our expert support. While fire can be cozy, warm, and comforting, it can also be dangerous if you're not careful. So, if you plan to use any fire sources at home this year, pay attention to the above tips so you and your family can stay safe.