The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) proudly supports the 2024 HFD Fire Safety First program initiated by the Hamilton Fire Department. From February to June 2024, our schools will actively contribute to community safety by disseminating monthly fire safety messages.
In June 2024, our focus is on Campfire Safety. Summer is almost here! If anyone is going camping or to visit someone where they will be having a campfire, please remember these rules to keep you and your family safe:
1. Grown-ups are allowed to use matches or lighters to make a campfire, start a camp stove or gas lantern. Kids should never use matches or lighters!
2. No running or playing by the campfire. You don’t want to accidentally slip and fall into the fire!
3. Always wear shoes or sandals when near the campfire. Stepping on hot embers will burn bare feet. Ouch!
4. If a grown up allows you to use a stick to poke the campfire, always keep the stick pointed down and away from people.
5. Discuss with a grown-up what is and is not allowed to be thrown in the fire. No plastics or foam products.
6. Be careful when cooking over the campfire, such as when roasting marshmallows or other foods.
Child Activity:
Practice! Practice! Practice! If your clothes catch on fire, remember to STOP where you are! Don’t run around. DROP to the ground, covering your face with your hands. ROLL back and forth, putting out the flames on your clothes. STOP! DROP! and ROLL!
Try it now!
Open Air Burning and Campfire Safety
Caregiver/Adult Information:
Learn Before You Burn – Open-Air Burning Information
The Hamilton Fire Department is reminding residents that open-air burning, including the burning of yard trimmings and clean wood, is only permitted in Hamilton areas designated as rural, with the purchase of an open-air burning permit. Residents located in areas where open air burning is not permitted may seek other means of disposal, such as composting or removal to one of the City’s waste transfer stations.
The following are allowed in both rural and urban areas. They are not considered open-air burning and do not require a permit.
· An outdoor propane or natural gas fire pit,
· A cooking fire, not located in a barbeque or smoker, is permitted provided it conforms to the following:
· A small, confined fire, not located near roads or property lines or anything combustible like structures, fences, bushes or trees.
· The fire is used to cook food on a grill, barbeque or spit that is proportionate to the type and quantity of food being cooked.
· The cooking fire is supervised at all times.
· A suitable means to extinguish the fire is within close proximity - for example, a garden hose or fire extinguisher.
· The fire is extinguished immediately following completion of cooking.
Open-air burning guidelines include:
• The fire is always to be attended and supervised. All fires are to be completely extinguished at the end of each working/burning day.
• Restrictions on open-air burning also apply to outdoor burning appliances such as chimineas and outdoor fireplaces.
· The burning of leaves is not a form of open-air burning and is not permitted.
· Equipment capable of extinguishing the fire, at any time conditions warrant, is to be on site at all times when burning is carried out. (i.e.: fire extinguishers, garden hose, portable pump and hose, bobcat etc.)
· Please refer to the City of Hamilton’s website for specific information regarding burn pile size limitations and restrictions.
· Open air burning shall not be carried out on Smog Alert/Advisory days.
For more information, please contact the Hamilton Fire Department – Fire Prevention Division through the City’s Contact Centre at 905 546-2489, email us at [email protected] or visit our website at www.hamilton.ca/fire
Thank you for a great school year working together, supporting a collective effort to prevent emergencies, protect people and their property when emergencies occur and help the City of Hamilton be the best place to raise a child and age successfully. Wishing you a safe and enjoyable summer!
