Fire Lighting Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Unattended fire — Children must not leave their group’s fire unattended. If a group takes a break, the fire must be extinguished or an adult must remain nearby. Leaders rotate between groups to provide constant supervision of every fire. Fires are only lit and managed under adult oversight, and must be fully extinguished before the session ends.
• Leader experience — Only trained and competent leaders permitted to lead fire lighting sessions. Leaders must have current outdoor first aid certification and practical experience managing fire safely. Regular refresher training and peer review of practice recommended.
• Food contamination — Chill food before session, check temperature using thermometer. Adults supervise serving. Enforce handwashing beforehand, prevent cross-contamination, cover food until use. Dispose leftovers responsibly.
• Heat discomfort — Provide shaded seating away from fire. Encourage hydration breaks. Use sunscreen/hats. Schedule restful period if heat intensifies or symptoms present. Monitor for heat fatigue.
• Fire circle boundaries — Each group establishes a clearly marked fire circle with seating 1.2–1.5 m from their fire. Fires must be spaced at least 3–5 m apart, with clear walkways maintained between groups. Mark safe entry/exit points for each circle. Children only enter their group’s circle when invited, one at a time, kneeling rather than standing. Adults circulate between groups to monitor spacing, boundaries, and behaviour. Rules are reinforced at the start of every session.