Fire performance is a controlled risk. The goal is to identify hazards early, put controls in place, and make sure everyone knows what to do if something goes wrong.
Before you perform
Arrive with enough time to check in, inspect the performance area, confirm the fuel process, identify safeties, check props, understand emergency signals, warm up, and ask questions.
Do not arrive at the last minute expecting to light up immediately.
Prop checks
Before lighting, inspect your prop. Check wicks, fasteners, chains, connectors, grips and handles. Look for wick movement, frayed grips, weak connectors, cracked handles, fuel residue in the wrong places, or anything that feels different from normal.
If a prop does not feel right, do not light it.
Practise before lighting
Fire is not the time to test a trick for the first time. Perform only moves, sequences and transitions you can already perform confidently without fire. Practise unlit first, then assess before adding fire.
Be fit to perform
Performers and safeties need clear judgement, balance, coordination and reaction time. Do not perform or safety while impaired, excessively fatigued, distracted, or otherwise unable to respond appropriately.
Costume and hair
Choose clothing with flame, heat and entanglement in mind.
Avoid loose or dangling clothing, fluffy or fuzzy materials, loose accessories, materials that may melt when heated, and unsecured long hair.
Tighter-weave natural fibres, leather and purpose-made flame-resistant clothing may provide better protection, but no costume makes fire performance risk-free.
Rehearse in the clothing you intend to perform in.
No solo fire
Do not light up without an attentive safety or spotter, a clear performance area, a controlled fuel area, suitable extinguishing equipment ready, and suitable site conditions.
Performer conduct
Follow the fire lead's instructions, respect the safety boundary, listen to safeties, avoid lighting without approval, stop if asked, and report incidents, near misses or unsafe equipment.
Do not perform while impaired, light up alone, move wet wicks through a crowd, or ignore a safety call.