A reminder to be careful and safe around fire pits as Fall River man burned

Whether it is a relaxing night with friends or to stay warm outside when the nights begin to get a little cooler, sitting around a fire pit has become a popular activity, but it can also be dangerous if you are not careful.

Just before 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, a call came into dispatch for a man who was suffering from burns on Orswell Street in Fall River.

According to Fire Chief Roger St. Martin, a 40-year-old man sustained first degree burns to his hand from a fire pit.

The man reportedly touched the flames accidently.

He was transported to the hospital by Fall River EMS.

According to AAA, fire pit injuries have spiked in recent years.

Here are some safety tips according to the United States Fire Administration.

-Use a metal screen over wood-burning fires to keep sparks from floating out.

-Always keep children and pets at least 3 to 10 feet away from the flames and supervise. Make sure to alert children of the fire every time that it’s lit, instruct them to stay back and remind them of the safety rules.

-Turn off or put out fires before you leave the backyard. Check manufacturer guidelines for properly extinguishing the fire and be sure to have all necessary tools.

-Fire pits can remain extremely hot into the next day. Make kids aware of this and supervise until all embers are burned and the temperature returns to normal.

-If someone suffers a moderate burn, use cool, not cold, water on the burn for 3-5 minutes, then cover with a clean dry cloth. For serious burns, go to the hospital right away.