Backyard Firepit and Barbecue Safety

As we head into August, Regina Fire & Protective Services reminds residents to be safety-minded when using backyard firepits and barbecues.

“Keep yourself, your family and your community safe when using a backyard firepit or barbecue,” said Regina Fire Chief Layne Jackson. “Following some simple safety rules can keep everyone safe while you use fire for cooking or backyard enjoyment.”

Regina Fire & Protective Services provides firepit and barbecue safety regulations to keep residents safe, prevent fires and keep our community safe. Follow these important safety tips to stay safe:

Firepit Safety Reminders:

• Contain fires in a non-flammable container on a non-flammable surface like brick or cement. Cover with a heavy-gauge metal screen.
• Place firepits at least three metres from any combustible materials like fences, decks, bushes or structures.
• Only burn seasoned wood, manufactured logs or charcoal. Do not burn leaves, twigs, scrap lumber or garbage.
• Have an adult supervise a firepit at all times. Keep something to extinguish the fire within reach, like a hose or bucket filled with water.

Barbeque Safety Reminders:

• Use your barbeque outside only, never indoors or in a garage.
• Barbecue on a solid surface, away from trees, shrubs, overhangs and structures like your home, garage, fence or shed.
• Always light the barbecue with the lid open.
• When finished barbecuing, turn off the cylinder valve first, then the grill controls.
• Ensure coals are soaked with water before discarding.
• Never store spare propane cylinders indoors or in a garage.

Visit Regina.ca/Fire for the full list of City regulations on outdoor firepits. Violating firepit regulations could result in a $300 fine per offence as they can pose a serious safety risk to the community.

If you witness careless use of a firepit, contact Service Regina at 306-777-7000 during regular business hours or go online to Regina.ca to complete a service request 24 hours a day. In an emergency, call 9-1-1.

To safely dispose of your firepit ashes and charcoal from the barbecue, allow them to cool for 24 hours, wet them, ensure they are fully extinguished and place them in the green cart.