With fall officially here, and the evenings getting cooler, I've started to look for a fire pit for my composite deck.

There are several considerations to make when selecting any sort of heating element, and one used in an outdoor space is particularly important. From the fuel it uses to how heat dissipates, carefully thinking through each aspect will help ensure that you and your family not only stay toasty, but don't have a late night visit from the fire department.

It’s important to place any source of heat, from a grill to a fire pit, at least ten feet away from the eaves of the house. You should never use a fire pit under a roof, and if your deck is on the second story, never on a first floor patio under the deck. Never leave a fire unattended and keep children away from the fire.  Always have a hose ready or a fire extinguisher nearby.

While composite decking has a higher fire rating than traditional wood, it’s still a good idea to purchase a fire-resistant mat to put under the fire pit to catch any stray embers and keep the heat from damaging your deck.

Northline Express (http://www.northlineexpress.com/category/hearth-rugs.asp) offers a variety of fiberglass, fire-resistant rugs, or you can opt for a less aesthetically-pleasing, but more weather-resistant, rubber mat from ULine (http://www.uline.com/BL_1773/Scraper-Entry-Mats).

Even if you are using a mat, make sure that your pit has a mesh shield and it remains firmly attached when not loading wood.

Oak and hickory wood produce the least amount of smoke – something to consider when you realize how close you might be sitting to the fire pit.

Here’s one of my favorite pits for the season – the broad rim is great for catching any stray embers, for leaning my marshmallow roasting stick and the shallow base makes for good air circulation. It’s also a good size for a deck – compact, but with enough room to get a good fire going.

http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Outdoor-Living-Outdoor-Heating-Fire-Pits/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5Zbdtu/R-100670118/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Whether you’re looking to toast marshmallows, warm your toes or just add a bit of glowing ambiance to your deck, a fire pit can be a great addition to your deck for fall.