Outdoor fire safety: 5 key considerations for your next gathering

From barbecues to bonfires, outdoor events happen all year round and having some sort of fire can be a great addition to the atmosphere and the event itself. However, it also comes with its own set of risks. Just like indoor fire safety, outdoor fire safety is just as crucial for safeguarding your guests and your property.

In this blog, we share five key outdoor fire safety considerations to keep in mind for your next gathering so you can ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all who attend your outdoor event. Let’s get straight to it.

Barbecues

A great addition to any social gathering, barbecues are a beloved outdoor activity. However, it can be easy to become distracted and this can lead to a dangerous situation. With open flames, flammable materials in use, and unpredictable sparks and embers in the air, barbecues open up a range of potential hazards.

Our outdoor fire safety tips for barbecues:

• Place your barbecue on a flat surface, away from shrubs, trees, and sheds
• Don’t use more than 5cm of coal on your barbecue
• Keep pets and small children away when your barbecue is in use
• Never leave your barbecue unattended
• Ensure you have a bucket of sand or cold water nearby to douse the barbecue in case of emergency
• Make sure your barbecue has properly cooled down before moving it, and empty any ashes onto garden soil

Campfires

When on a camping trip, sitting around a campfire is a common tradition. However, if not fully extinguished, there is the potential for the fire to re-ignite with just a few embers still burning. A fire can destroy a tent in less than a minute, so it’s paramount that you take the appropriate precautions to avoid a fire from occurring.

Our outdoor fire safety tips for campfires:

• Before starting a campfire, make sure you check the rules and regulations around having one as many designated campsites and camping spots don’t allow them
• Ensure you use a designated fire pit or safe area that is away from overhanging branches, dry grass, and any nearby flammable materials and structures
• Never use paraffin or petrol to light your campfire
• Make sure you have a sufficient water source nearby to extinguish the fire if needed
• Never leave your campfire unattended
• Be sure to fully extinguish your campfire before retiring to your tent for the night

Sky lanterns

Sky lanterns can add a magical touch to an outdoor gathering and create a mesmerising display in the night sky. However, they can pose a significant fire risk if not handled with care. The open flame used to lift the lantern can easily ignite surrounding objects or structures, leading to potentially catastrophic consequences.

Our outdoor fire safety tips for sky lanterns:

• In some areas of the UK, sky lanterns are actually banned so it’s vital you check with your local council before going ahead with lighting them
• Consider environmental conditions, such as wind speed and direction, as they can affect the flight path
• Always ensure that your sky lanterns are used in open spaces away from trees, buildings, or any flammable materials
• Consider having a designated individual who is responsible for monitoring the lanterns throughout their flight

Garden bonfires

A staple celebration for Bonfire Night, garden bonfires aren’t just limited to this particular time of year. Many people have garden bonfires throughout the year for many reasons, whether it’s for a social gathering or to burn domestic waste. While there are no laws against having a garden bonfire, there are rules and regulations when lighting one.

Our outdoor fire safety tips for garden bonfires:

• Before you light a bonfire, check if you need any permits and you have read your local councils restrictions and guidelines
• Choose a clear and open space away from buildings, trees, or other flammable materials
• Keep a water source or fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergency
• Never leave your bonfire unattended
• Keep pets and small children away from the garden bonfire

Fire pits

Creating a warm and inviting atmosphere to any outdoor gathering, fire pits have grown in popularity in recent years. And they’re not just used in domestic settings either, some commercial premises, such as bars and restaurants, often have fire pits in their outdoor spaces. If not managed properly, the open flames can pose a number of significant fire hazards.

Our outdoor fire safety tips for fire pits:

• Place your fire pit on a flat and stable surface away from flammable materials or structures
• Maintain a clear distance around the fire pit to prevent accidents or burns
• Make sure someone is monitoring the fire pit at all times and is properly extinguished after use
• Only burn materials that are safe to use on a fire pit and avoid using accelerants like petrol or paraffin

Speak to us for more outdoor fire safety advice

We hope we’ve provided you with some useful outdoor fire safety tips for your next gathering. Whether you’re hosting or attending an event where fire is involved, in the event of a fire occurring and you’re unsure on what to do, always call your local fire service immediately and let professionally trained fire fighters extinguish the fire. 

If you’d like any more outdoor fire safety advice, don’t hesitate to contact our experts today. At City Fire Protection, we provide a huge range of fire safety services and products including fire risk assessments, fire alarms, and fire extinguishers to name a few. We also provide accredited fire safety training to your employees to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to tackle a fire confidently.

Based in London and Birmingham, our services stretch across the UK thanks to the help of our partner brands and with the backing of the LS Fire Group. Speak to us today to discuss your requirements in more detail and learn how we can help elevate fire safety in your property.

Outdoor fire safety FAQs

What are some outdoor fire safety best practices businesses should follow?

Businesses should always conduct a fire risk assessment before allowing any outdoor fires. Some best practices include ensuring fires are a safe distance from buildings and flammable materials, using appropriate fire pits or containers, having fire extinguishers to hand, and adhering to local fire safety regulations.

How can I reduce the risk of an outdoor fire spreading?

To reduce the risk of a fire spreading, keep outdoor fires contained in a fire pit or designated area, maintain a clear zone around the fire, and avoid using combustible materials nearby. Be sure to have fire extinguishers or a fire blanket easily accessible too.

How can businesses prepare for an outdoor fire emergency?

Businesses can prepare by having a fire safety plan in place that includes a fire risk assessment, fire extinguishers, staff training, and emergency evacuation procedures. Regular fire drills should also be conducted to ensure staff are familiar with emergency protocols.