So, my golden retriever Max almost lit his tail on fire once. And that was the moment I realized—cozy evenings around the fire pit? They’re only cozy if nobody ends up in the ER.
We had just set up our fire pit table—one of those sleek, propane-fueled ones from Starfire Direct. It was the Starfire Designs Stainless Steel Edge Gas Fire Pit with Slide Out LPT Drawer, the stainless-steel version, about 48" long with a stainless-steel silver finish that made it look way fancier than the price tag. (Think mid-$4,000s—not cheap, but worth it.) I was feeling pretty proud. Cushions fluffed, s’mores lined up, backyard lighting set to “Pinterest Mode.”
And then Max—my 85-pound, tail-wagging tornado—did his signature “I’m so happy I could explode” spin and backed his butt right into the flame.
No damage, thank goodness. Just a puff of smoke and a puffed-up ego. But it scared the hell out of me.
That’s when I got serious about safety.
Start with Where You Put It
First things first: location matters more than you think.
I used to think, “Eh, it’s on the patio, what could go wrong?” Turns out—a lot. Most fire pit mishaps happen because the setup was lazy. Or rushed. Or someone thought, “The deck should be fine.”
Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Keep it 10 feet away from your house, your fence, your dog’s favorite bush, and anything that could catch fire or melt.
- Don’t place it under string lights. (Guilty. Melted half a strand before I noticed.)
- Put it on something non-flammable—concrete’s great. Pavers, too. I’ve seen people use fire-rated mats under wooden decks. Those work, but honestly, it still makes me nervous.
- If you’re in a windy area—like we are during spring and early fall here in SoCal—skip it for the night. Or at least invest in a proper wind guard.
We installed a ¼” tempered glass wind guard on our Edge model. Not just for safety—it actually helps the flame burn better when the breeze picks up.
Choose Your Model (and Materials) Wisely
Look, I’m not here to sell you anything. But I will tell you this: not all fire pit tables are created equal.
Is your fire pit just for looks, or does it actually keep you warm? I learned the hard way that BTUs and height matter! Here is my guide to picking a pit that stops the shivering.
When we were shopping, I saw some cheap composite wood models online for under $400. Tempting. But then I read the reviews—warping, discoloration, metal rusting out after one season. No thanks.
We ended up with the Starfire Designs Beton 55" Rectangle Gas Fire Pit. It’s got this Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete that feels like it could survive an earthquake. And probably will.
Want to explore the Concrete Elegance of the Beton and Gravity Series Fire Pits? Read this blog to find the perfect fit for your outdoor space.
Some quick thoughts:
- Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete: Heavy, durable, and it doesn’t budge when Max jumps up to bark at the neighbor’s cat. Downside? It stains easily if you’re not on top of cleaning.
- Powder-coated aluminum or steel: Great for coastal climates. But they can get hot, especially darker colors.
- Tempered glass: A must for me now. If your model doesn’t come with one, get the upgrade.
And natural gas? It’s about as convenient as it gets. No refills, no interruptions—just a steady, reliable flame whenever you want it. It’s clean-burning, cost-effective, and perfect for anyone who loves hassle-free evenings without ever worrying about running out mid-s’more.
Mind the Kids, Mind the Dogs
I’ve got a six-year-old daughter who likes to run everywhere. And a dog who thinks every new object in the backyard is either food or a toy.
Here’s what’s worked for us:
For Kids:
- I laid down a 3-foot safety ring using outdoor painter’s tape the first few weeks. Gave her a visual boundary.
- She has her own mini-Adirondack chair, placed well outside the “hot zone.”
- We only roast marshmallows with the extra-long skewers. I’m talking like 30-inchers. They look comical, but no one’s arms are reaching over flame.
For Pets:
- No toys, no water bowls within five feet of the table.
- I trained Max to stay behind an invisible line with the “leave it” command. Took a week of practice and a lot of treats.
- When we host, I leash him until the food’s done and everyone’s settled. It’s just easier.
One tip a neighbor gave me: set up your outdoor seating like a buffer. We place two low-profile loungers at the corners of the pit—kind of forms a U-shape barrier that keeps kids and dogs on the outside edge.
For additional peace of mind, fire safety professionals provide excellent official guidance that backs up everything we've covered here—and their recommendations are trusted by fire departments across the country.
Accessories = Safety Upgrades (Not Just Bling)
Before I had a fire pit, I thought accessories were all for show. Wrong.
Looking for the top fire pit accessories to boost summer safety, function, and style? Read this blog now to discover the must-haves for a safer, smarter setup.
Here’s what I swear by:
Tank enclosure: We use the matching Beton Enclosure. Hides the tank and keeps curious fingers and paws out.
Lid/Snuffer: If you don’t have a snuffer, get one. Ours is a solid stainless-steel cover that doubles as a table surface.
Glass media instead of logs: Cools down faster. And I don’t have to worry about embers.
Looking to learn more about designing with fire glass? Read this blog for expert tips, style inspiration, and everything you need to elevate your fire feature.
Fire extinguisher: Keep it 10 feet away, mounted or on a hook. And no, your garden hose isn’t a substitute.
Pro tip: Don’t skimp on quality here. Some accessories from big box stores just don’t hold up. (We had a mesh screen that rusted in three months flat.)
Seasonal Stuff You Might Not Think About
We use our fire pit year-round, but every season brings a different flavor of risk.
In Summer:
- Double check umbrella placement. Heat rises, and sunshades catch it.
- Drinks spill more. I’ve had rosé fizz into the fire glass—sticky and smells like burnt Jolly Ranchers.
Getting ready to elevate your patio style this summer? Check out this blog for expert tips and inspiration to design your outdoor space at its best.
In Fall:
- Watch the leaves. They love landing right in the flame path.
- We keep a mini broom out there now just to sweep the pit area before lighting.
In Winter:
- Don’t light your fire pit if it’s been raining and the burners are wet. You’ll hear hissing and popping—not a good sign.
- I’ve learned to wrap the propane hose in pipe insulation when temps dip. Prevents freezing and cracks.
In Spring:
- Spiders. I swear they love gas burners. I clean out the ports weekly with a soft bristle brush and canned air.
Looking for the right fire pit cover to protect your setup? Read this blog—The Patio Buyer's Guide—to help you choose the best option for your fire pit.
Play It Safe, Enjoy It Later
There’ve been nights I really wanted that flickering glow—but the wind was wild or something just didn’t feel quite right with the setup.
Here’s my take: if anything feels off, just hold off on lighting it.
It’s always better to wait for the perfect, safe moment than to rush into it. The fire will still be there tomorrow—and so will the peace of mind knowing everyone (tails and toes included) is safe.
Accidents Happen—Have a Plan
The first time my daughter singed a marshmallow into a flaming goo ball, she panicked and flung it. It landed on her jacket. No burns—but a giant sticky hole in the sleeve.
We keep a little emergency kit now:
- Burn gel and gauze
- Fire extinguisher (again, can’t say it enough)
- Gloves for turning the burner knob or placing the lid
- Flashlight or headlamp (because someone always drops a skewer after dark)
The U.S. Fire Administration provides excellent resources on outdoor fire safety that reinforce many of these same principles—proper placement, emergency preparedness, and maintaining safe distances from structures and people.
The Way I See It…
Fire pit tables aren’t dangerous. They’re only dangerous if you don’t respect them.
We’ve made ours part of our rhythm—check the area, set the boundary, light the flame, keep an eye out.
Now, it’s second nature. And those evenings? They’re some of our best memories. We’ve watched stars, toasted anniversaries, made too many s’mores, and stayed warm long after the neighbors went inside.
But none of that’s possible without a few smart choices up front.
If you’re thinking about getting a fire pit table—or you’ve got one and want to make it safer—start with these basics. You don’t need to wrap your yard in bubble wrap. Just be smart. And aware.
And hey—if Max and I can figure it out, you totally can too.
If you still have questions or want to speak with an experienced fire pit professional about selecting the right fire pit table for your outdoor living space, give the Starfire Direct team a call.
Eben Jol
Fire Pit Optimist | Backyard Flame Enthusiast | Tail Risk Manager
