Fire Lighting Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Smouldering sticks — Children must never retrieve sticks. Only adults add fuel. Before letting anyone near, extinguish fire, stir embers, adult touches to check if cold. Confirm no heat remains before children re-enter the circle.
• Tripping near fire — Keep inner circle entirely free of tools, fuel, debris. Enforce walking in outer circle only. Model safe moving. Use seating logs to physically discourage entry into inner zone.
• 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.
• Burns first Burns and first aid response — Keep burns kit, fire blanket and water within immediate reach. Ensure staff trained in outdoor paediatric first aid. Conduct a drill so children know where kit is and how to call for help. Log every incident.