[LilRaverBoi]

Here is a list of safety guidelines Starlet and I have compiled for all fire spinners. Following all these precautions is of the utmost importance! These items are not to be taken lightly, but should be taken very seriously....remember, if you aren't being safe, you are not only putting yourself at risk, but you also are risking others!

**NEVER SPIN FIRE ALONE!

• If anything does happen, you need someone there. A cell phone is always handy too.

**Have a DESIGNATED spotter

• Make sure your spotter knows what to look for and is someone who won't panic.
• Have one person lined up before you spin who is watching attentively. If you have more than one person, it could be a mad scramble in an emergency....so one DESIGNATED person is best. Those extra seconds could make all the difference.

**Use a 'code word'

• Have a word decided ahead of time (such as 'spotter' or some other NON-FIRE-RELATED word) to signify that there is an unwanted flame somewhere on the person and that the spotter is coming in to extinguish it (if need be). Stray from words like 'flame' or 'fire' cause these words are commonly used by the audience during a performance.
• Stop spinning when you hear the code word and wait for instructions from your spotter.
• Small flames can often be carefully extinguished by the spinner once they know about them.
• Remember to DISCUSS all these things with your designated spotter BEFORE lighting your wicks. Communication is key!

**If you should catch on fire

• Never let someone try and put you out until you have stopped spinning and put any props down...that's risking them too.
• If you hear the code word, stop spinning immediately and wait for instructions from your spotter.
• Small flames can often be carefully put out by the spinner (once props are down) once they know about them. Larger flames will require spotter intervention with a damp towel or the stop-drop-and roll technique.
• The best way to extinguish flames is to suffocate them by pressing gently on the area (not on the flames) with a damp towel and holding a few seconds.
• To extinguish wicks with a towel, fold the towel over them pushing the flames AWAY from yourself. Hold for a few seconds to suffocate the flames. Make sure they are fully out before opening the towel again.
• Remember, just because the fire on the wicks is out doesn't mean they are safe, any metal parts will take A LOT longer to cool and you could still burn yourself on them.
• Blowing forcefully on a flame, while effective on tiny ones, is usually a bad idea since the air you exhale still contains oxygen. This will usually just spread the flame and fuel it with oxygen.
• DON'T PANIC....this applies to the spinner and the spotter.

**Water/Steam

• Steam burns can be VERY VERY nasty and will cause much more damage than flames alone. Steam will get trapped between layers of clothing keeping it near your skin longer giving it more chance to do damage.
• Do not wet clothing prior to spinning.
• If you have long hair, don’t soak it before spinning, a headful of steam will not be pleasant. Rather, put your hair up in a bandanna or some other flame-resistant headwear.

**Wear appropriate clothing

• Avoid loose clothing.
• Remove jewelry, watches, large items from your pockets, etc as chains could get caught on these items.
• Avoid synthetic materials such as polyester. These are typically plastic-based and will melt to your skin if burned, creating nasty burns. Natural materials such as cotton or denim are naturally flame resistant. Note: this does NOT mean they won't burn, it merely means they will take a few seconds of contact with flames before catching.
• Tie up or cover long hair otherwise it could get singed or catch flame.
• Wearing a hoodie and pants is NOT an excuse for preparing properly or using adequate safety precautions. Not only can virtually any material potentially catch on fire, but hot flames or metal components can still burn through the material and burn your skin. Not to say that hoodies and pants are bad apparel for fire spinning, just don't think that they make you impervious to wraps/mistakes.

**Safety Equipment

• Fire blankets, while useful are SINGLE USE and are not designed to be used repeatedly. This means they can actually become flammable after several uses.
• As mentioned above damp towels very useful in extinguishing flames. Remember to suffocate flames from the base (source of fuel-clothing, wicks, etc).
• If you use a fire extinguisher please make sure you use the right kind. A list of types and what they can be used for can be found here. Extinguishers are not recommended to put out flames on a person, but having one on hand is never a bad idea for an emergency where a towel is ineffective.
• As in point one, a cell phone is the ultimate fire safety equipment if all else fails.

**First Aid

• Know your first aid for burns.
• First degree burns (reddened area that looks like sunburn, no blisters): apply cool, wet compress (not ice). Dry gently and then apply a small amount of Vaseline, lotion or aloe vera.
• Second degree burns (blisters appear, but intact): put under cool running water for 5 minutes to clean/cool, dry gently and then apply layers of bandages/gauze. Do not open blisters or remove charred tissue. Do not apply any cremes other than maybe an antiseptic creme. Change dressings often and watch for signs of infection (pus, spreading redness, swelling). If infection occurs, seek medical treatment.
• Third degree burns (blisters broken open, excessive charring of tissue): seek medical attention as shock and chance of infection are possible. Wrap wound gently in gauze and go immediately to the hospital (ambulance recommended). Do not remove clothing stuck to wound.
• Go to the emergency room if blisters exceed 2" in diameter, total burn area is larger than a deck of cards or skin is not intact. WHEN IN DOUBT SEEK MEDICAL HELP!

**Equipment and Toys

• To increase the life of your wicks, it is advised to extinguish toys with a damp towel just before they go out.
• The metal part of the toys (ie chain/links on poi) will ALWAYS be the hottest part. Consequently, these will cause worse burns than the wicks themselves.
• Use only well made, durable equipment. Making your own props is not advised unless they are very well built.
• Avoid using materials other than Kevlar for wicks as parts could break off while spinning.
• Check all links/chains/handles on your equipment before EVERY burn. Links can easily become loose, so this is very important. Take it seriously.

**Fuel

• Only use fuels recommended for fire spinning (paraffin/lamp oil, kerosene or white gas).
• Know what fuel you are using and know its particular characteristics (flash-point, flame temps, etc). If others are using your fuel (especially in the case of white gas), be sure to tell them what type it is.
• Store excess fuel and your soaking can far away from you in a protected and visible location. Be aware that people at events usually do not understand what a random can in the middle of nowhere is and may put cigarettes into it, run into it (if not visible), etc. Include the 'idiot factor' (include all possibilities regardless of how idiotic a person would have to be to do such a thing) into your decision of where to locate fueling stations. Having a friend keep an eye on fuel is never a bad idea.
• Once you have soaked your wicks, don't forget to spin them out to remove excess fuel (preferably into a spin-can, plastic bag, etc) otherwise burning fuel could fly off your wicks during a performance. If you spin out without a can/bag, be sure to do so FAR from where you will be spinning and away from where people would be. Take serious note of wind direction and be VERY careful not to get fuel on your clothing or body. If fuel gets on you, wash area or change articles of clothing.

**General Safety Ideas

• Don't burn if there is dry grass, windy conditions, uneven/shifty terrain, etc.
• Don't spin near flammable objects (barns of hay, houses, fuel, etc. It may sound self-explanatory, but I've seen people do it.
• Make sure there is something to keep your audience clear of you while spinning. Again, take note of the 'idiot factor.' A roped-off area is best if there are lots of people. People are often like moths in a light....they go toward the light. This is bad for them and you.
• Don't try moves you aren't very comfortable with. Remember, fire is NOT a practice set.
• If you are spinning for your first time, be aware that the flames will be very hot, bright and LOUD. Expect this going into the experience. Usually, the 'whoosh' sound of the flames spinning is much louder than people expect. The whole experience can be a bit disorienting if you aren't expecting it, so be mentally ready prior to lighting up.
• Know your fire set. If you buy new wicks or are using another person's wicks that you aren't used to, spin with them unlit for several minutes (or several weeks when before your FIRST burn) before lighting them to really get a feel for them. Realize they will be quite a bit heavier with fuel in them.
• Don't spin if you are under the influence of alcohol or other substances. This is very important because although you may feel up to the task, it might be a very bad decision. Just remember that you can't take back bad decisions, but you can prevent them by making good choices.
• Just be smart and safe in general. Make good decisions by follow these guidelines and use common sense.

**Last but not least....HAVE FUN!!!

Resources:
www.homeofpoi.com
www.healthline.com
and a special thanks to Starlet for coming up with the idea for this and helping me make it happen.

[LilRaverBoi]

BUMP....how have only 9 people viewed this! Read up fireflies!

[starlet]

COMMING SOON!!!

FUEL SAFETY AND INFO!!

hehehehe, safety obsessed? me?!?!?!

Because we love our GXG family and want them all to be safe and careful firespinners Lil Raver Boi and I thought this might be useful!

x

PLUR

[Eric]

beautiful post! Great info for anyone getting into fire POI!

[Connor]

not really needed in my case but thanks for posting man respeeeect.

[LilRaverBoi]

Connor, if you gave me respect for this post, be sure to give Starlet some too!! She was just as much an integral part of this thread as I was!

[Connor]

sure thing honey.

[Siler]

Absolutely great post...


It's really helpful for people like me, who cannot afford fire poi, and even if could, have no credit cards so cannot buy them online.

So the only time people like me get to spin fire is when someone else allows em to use their poi kits, in which case owners tend to think if you know how to spin, you necessarily have read a fire safety booklet..

which I have not.... It's pretty much common sense if you take the time to think about it, and I didn't ever run into any of these problems, except the time I learned firsthand WHY you spin them off before you burn em...


Much easier to just read it here than have to experience it.. Trust me.

[TasteTheAlex]

great post! unfortunately i have broken a few of the important rules, i don't recommend it, although i haven't burnt myself or anyone around me, i have seen fire accidents gone bad, and know fire isn't something to play around with, no matter how safe you think you may be, or if you think you know what you are doing, Murphy's law....

[starlet]

i think there is a healthy balance. if you get too complacent, thats when things start to go wrong, or if you are too apprehensive. you have to respect the fire and remember that no matter how many burns you've done, or whatever it is still dangerous! on the other hand if you are not confident enough thats also where it can go wrong. panic is like the worst thing to do if there's an accident (easier said than done i know!)

I have never burnt myself yet, and i've been fire dancing a good year or so, but i do know that it is inevatable that one day i will. maybe not a massive accident but i'd rather be prepared for that if it does happen.

x