A burning issue: smoking materials and fire risk
For immediate release: May 16, 2023 - 7:30 am
FI23-4094
Smoking materials are a leading cause of outdoor fires. As temperatures warm up and residents enjoy more time outdoors, improper or inadequate storage and disposal of smoking materials becomes a greater risk.
Residents are reminded to:
- Safely store smoking materials up high, away from children’s reach.
- When smoking, use a deep, heavy ashtray that does not tip over to hold ashes and butts.
- Dispose of smoking materials in a metal, ceramic or glass container with a lid that has water or sand at the bottom.
- Keep disposed smoking materials a safe distance from anything combustible.
- Never discard smoking materials in vegetation, mulch, peat moss, potted plants, leaves, grasses, or other easily combustible materials.
- Douse smoking materials in water or sand to ensure they are safely out.
Smoking materials include, but are not limited to:
- Cigarettes
- Cigars
- Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), otherwise known as vape pens
- Drug paraphernalia
- Lighters and matches
Smoking material fires are preventable fires. A dropped or improperly disposed cigarette can smoulder for hours before bursting into flames or can ignite sooner in windy conditions. Be a responsible smoker and properly put out smoking materials completely and safely, every time.
For more information, visit saskatoon.ca/smoking.