SMOKING OUTSIDE SPARKS FIRES

The Saskatoon Fire Department has noted a significant increase in the number of outside fires that were started by improperly disposing of smoking materials. There were 23 fires in the last 18 months attributed to this.

In 2013, 16 fires were caused by improperly disposing smoking materials such as cigarettes and cigars. The damage totaled more than $4 million. This year, seven fires were started by improper disposal of smoking materials. The average estimated damage was more than $100,000.

With changing social norms, it is now common for people to smoke outside in areas that contain flammable materials. A fire can develop if:

• smoking materials are not entirely extinguished
• if cigarette butts are allowed to accumulate in a container
• if peat moss, dry leaves or decking materials have butts dropped on them

Typically, the person who was smoking has already gone inside the home and the fire grows unnoticed. The fire often starts close to a house, ignites the exterior walls, then travels up to the roof and attic putting everyone inside the house at risk. In the early stages the fire may already be threatening the home, but there is often no smoke inside the house and smoke detectors cannot detect it. Many times it is a neighbour or people walking who notice the fire – if anyone happens to be there.

To prevent outdoor fires caused by smoking materials, the Saskatoon Fire Department recommends that you:

• have a metal or ceramic pot with a lid to dispose of your smoking materials
• leave a container outside for guests to use, even if you don’t smoke
• be aware that ashes are a fire safety hazard
• never extinguish smoking materials in planters – the peat moss in planters can smolder for hours before suddenly bursting into flames
• never throw burning cigarettes out your car window and onto the street
• always make sure your smoking materials are completely extinguished and that there is nothing in the vicinity that could catch fire like dry grass or cedar trees.