Fire safety
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Do not assume a fire is out just because it has reduced to coals or been covered with water or dirt.
This can lead to accidental bushfires, particularly in Australia.
- It is not as obvious as one might think.
one person who lived it
Be cautious when handling apparently dead hedgehogs, as they may be alive but in a food coma or hibernation state.
One person spent twenty minutes mourning a hedgehog that was actually just passed out from eating too much.
- Based on a single personal experience.
one person who lived it
Avoid creating dust clouds from fine organic powders like sugar, powdered coffee creamer, or cocaine near ignition sources.
These powders are easy to ignite and can cause explosions.
- Igniting cocaine is considered a waste of money.
one person who lived it
Blow out flaming shots before drinking them.
Swallowing the alcohol does not extinguish it, and blowing it out can act like a flamethrower or spread fire if done incorrectly; however, one person reported never burning themselves despite having facial hair and not blowing them out.
- One person reported never burning themselves despite having facial hair and not blowing them out.
- You risk blowing the alcohol out of the glass spreading the fire.
3 people, independently
Never bury a beach fire with sand.
The sand retains heat and can cause severe burns to anyone stepping on it.
one person who lived it
Do not use styrofoam cups to hold gasoline.
The cup may melt and fall apart.
one person who lived it
Play music through speakers to mask the sound of fireworks for pets.
It has helped calm dogs.
one person who lived it
Do not flick cigarette butts out of car windows.
Cigarettes can land inside the vehicle and start a fire.
one person who lived it
Be cautious around grounded aluminum dust as it can catch fire.
Grounded fine powder can ignite.
one person who lived it
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Wait until every part of a beach fire is completely cool before leaving.
Dogs or small children might get burned by residual heat.
one person who lived it
Leave beach fire sites 'as is' after extinguishing rather than covering them.
To avoid hidden hot spots.
one person who lived it
Roast marshmallows over charcoal grill coals after grilling food.
The coals remain hot and there are no flames.
one person who lived it
Use sugar cones instead of graham crackers for s'mores.
They are easier to eat, taste better, and are less sticky.
one person who lived it
Check woodpiles for hibernating animals before lighting them if you built the fire in advance.
Animals like hedgehogs may choose the pile as a place to hibernate.
one person who lived it
Keep crystal balls away from windows or sunny spots.
They magnify sunlight.
one person who lived it
Be aware that covering a fire with sand may retain heat energy rather than dissipating it.
Sand cuts off oxygen but can absorb and hold heat.
one person who lived it
Use specialized vacuums designed for soot and ash if you need to vacuum residue.
Standard vacuums may clog.
one person who lived it
Wear natural fibers like wool around campfires instead of synthetics.
Synthetic fibers can melt to skin.
one person who lived it
Check local city or county fire safety websites for proper ash disposal methods.
Disposal rules vary by location; binning ashes is illegal in some areas.
one person who lived it
Clean chimneys regularly and avoid burning evergreens in fireplaces.
Evergreen oils are flammable.
one person who lived it