MY NEW FIRE PIT SEEMS GREAT, BUT IS IT REALLY SAFE?

I've noticed the shape definitely matters. My neighbor dug his pit pretty deep and gave it slightly inward-sloped sides—sort of a bowl shape—and sparks rarely escape. Plus, it's actually kinda mesmerizing to watch the embers swirl around down there...

The bowl shape definitely helps, but don't rely on it completely. I've had a similar setup for years, and while sparks rarely escape, wind gusts can still catch embers unexpectedly. I'd recommend keeping a metal mesh cover handy—doesn't have to be fancy or expensive, just something you can quickly pop over the pit if the breeze picks up. Better safe than sorry, especially if you've got dry grass or shrubs nearby...