With spring finally here, many people will be enjoying the outdoors barbecuing and enjoying the cool evenings next to a fire pit. Even though these pits make a exciting feature in ones backyard, there are some things people should be aware of to make sure not only their family is safe but their neighborhood as well.“We want to remind everyone to be safe and have fun when using your fire pit,” Fire Chief Michael Napolitano said. “If your planning on building an outdoor fire pit, contact the fire department for a safety inspection of your project.”The different types of fire pits include: Below ground pits, freestanding fireplaces, chimneys and all portable devices intended to contain and control a outdoor fire.“What we recommend is a fire pit with a screen on top and one that contains the fire with in the pit,” Napolitano said.The Great Bend fire Department also recommends to have a fire extinguisher near by or a water source in case of an emergency.They also say not to use the fire pit during windy conditions and there is no burning during a Barton County Burn Ban.