FIRE Guidelines

Basic Fire Safety Guidelines:
**Check equipment for faults and wear.
**Have a pre-planned system for safety procedures in place, regardless of the type of event where you are fire hooping. Provision of water buckets, fire blankets, extinguishers, First aider and kit etc
**Fuel: use an approved, air tight metallic container to dip and drain wicks,
Know your fuel: how it burns, best storage practise and its effect of the surroundings
What's recommended: 2 options here in the UK
KEROSENE (called paraffin in many places outside the U.S.) is the safest fuel for all fire props. That doesn't mean that it is safe, but it's safer than any other kind of liquid fuel. It is the least explosive of fuels.
**All of the several hundred other brands and types of kerosene (aviation fuel, coal oil, heating oil, lamp oil, and fuel oil) contain a variety of extremely toxic ingredients, principally benzene and naphtha. These additives or impurities are absorbed through the skin and mucous membrane, and accumulate in the liver and kidneys. Some directly attack the corneas, so if such kerosene is splashed into the eyes, the eyelids should be held open and flushed for fifteen minutes, and you should seek medical attention immediately. Again, if swallowed, do not induce vomiting, but seek medical attention immediately**
You could also use lamp oil (a variant of Kerosene). It takes a while to light, especially in cold or damp weather but burns longer. The flame is stickier than Kerosene, burns a darker yellow and is slightly smokier. If you use citronella oil, it will also smell nicer!
**NEVER EVER use PETROL**
** Wear suitable clothing and shoes, have loose hair secured
DO WEAR: Natural fibres – cotton, wool, leather and silk.

DON'T WEAR: Synthetic fibres - they melt to your skin resulting in dangerous burns. They also catch fire easier.
Wear clothing that fits snuggly to your body. No flowy skirts, huge hems or tassles/dangly bits. Be careful when choosing costume pieces – feathers won’t melt, but they will catch alight quickly. Bandanas and hair wraps as well as hats are great for protecting your head/hair.
Kevlar or leather sleeves / gauntlets are great to protect your forearms; especially when using twin firehoops, as off-body hooping is less dangerous while wearing them (less chance to burn your forearms - ouch!)

**Spin Zone give yourself plenty of space from danger
**Fuel Station should be a safe distance away from Spin Zone. In a secluded area and marked as a hazard.
** Spinning Off (removal of excess fuel) be environmentally aware, catch excess and do not leave behind slick walkways.

**Care of wicks
 First use - dip your wicks completely in paraffin/kerosene or lamp oil the day before your first burn. Hold them in the fuel for as long as you can, so that the kevlar wicks absorb as much fuel as possible. Wrap them up carefully in bags and leave them somewhere safe overnight. The next day, take them out and re-dip them again before setting them alight. You have now 'cured' your wicks.
Every time - it is advisable to dip your wicks once you have finished using them and to leave them fuelled until the next time you use them. This is only practical for example, if you can store them in a safe place in a garage or at home. If you need to travel with them, never leave them fuelled - always light them to burn off the fuel when you have finished with them.
The most important thing is to never let your wicks extinguish on their own, and then to smoulder. Always have a wet towel nearby or fire-blanket, and extinguish your prop by wrapping the towel/blanket around it and holding it there until your wick is completely extinguished. When you remove the towel/blanket there should be no smoking at all.

 ** Above all hoop responsibly and within your personal limits,

We are supplying BendyWicks' fire wicks,
from a local UK craftsman.
Made from super strength steel with a
jubilee clip attachment ring
and a twirl of heavy duty kevlar.
Made to fit any 19 / 20mm travel hoop.
Available with 4" or 5" shafts