The complete 3rd edition (2006) of Fire Safety for Jugglers can be purchased now at
Flaming Sparrow
The following material is taken from the Introduction and Chapter One only.

FIRE SAFETY FOR JUGGLERS

Jugglers tend to believe that adding fire to a prop is a straightforward matter of learning a few more techniques and being "careful." But if you don't know what to be careful about, no precautions can save you from being badly hurt or from hurting someone else.

I've tried here to put together a summary of the relative risks and consequences of fire and fire props in juggling. My intention is to help you understand these risks so that you can make informed decisions. Therefore I have not excluded any practices, props, or fuels merely because I think they are too dangerous. You will have to decide for yourself the kind and degree of risk you are willing to take.

On the other hand, I have included almost no information or instruction on technique. It is better to learn directly from someone with experience, who is right there with you and can put you out. This is not to say that you can't or shouldn't learn technique from books or web sites--but they are just not as reliable or as safe as direct experience and guidance. If you are going to learn fire performance, read everything you can find, and trust nothing completely. Then find a teacher.

Please add your experience, opinions, corrections, and any new information you have uncovered to this summary. I do very little fire performance myself, so I depend greatly on the help of friends and critics.

Waiver of Liability
My only recommendation and advice to you is: don't use fire! What follows is the result of ten years of research, interviews, and correspondence. But is is still simply my best guess, and I cannot guarantee the accuracy or reliability of anything written here. Despite my best efforts, I may have made errors. Deadly errors. Assume that I have, and question everything. This material is not warranted to serve any purpose whatsoever, and any inference made on the basis of your understanding of it is entirely your own responsibility.

 

1. SAFETY EQUIPMENT & PROCEDURES

1. Spotters. When your shoes are on fire or you are panicked because of intense pain, you need someone who knows how to use the towel [2] and extinguisher [3] and who won't hurt you more than the fire. Another fire performer is your best spotter, and you can learn much by spotting for others. Spotters should always be within two-second's reach of the performer.

Torch Jugglers can usually spot for each other, but an extra spotter never hurts. Larger troupes of fire performers should have extra spotters to guard the fuel supply and to provide crowd control.

2. Damp towels and water buckets. Spotters should use a damp (not wet) towel to put out your wicks and to crush any embers when you are done juggling or spinning fire. They also use it to smother the flames if your hair or clothes catch on fire, and should always push the fire away from your face.

Use prewashed 100% cotton towels: artificial fibers will melt and may contaminate burns, and new cotton is full of flammable lint. Keep towels near a five-gallon bucket quarter-full of clean water (for use on burns and to dampen towels). Have at least one towel for each performer and one bucket for every three performers. (Wet towels can cause steam burns.)

3. Fire extinguisher. If anything else catches fire, or if the towel isn't big enough to cover the flame, use the fire extinguisher. Never aim an extinguisher at or near anyone's face. CO2 extinguishers may freeze the skin but are excellent for most fires. ABC Dry powder extinguishers will put out any fire but can contain anything from baking soda to very esoteric compounds, so send the extinguisher with the burn victim so the doctors will know how to treat the burns. Make sure the EMT know why the extinguisher is there. Pressured water extinguishers should only be used outdoors and away from electrical equipment.

4. Dry towel for wipe-ups. A dry towel is useful for wiping up spills and dribbles on yourself, and for spills that might damage the finish or paint on anything else your fuel might come in contact with. Do not use your wet towels for this.

5. Metal or plastic fuel bottle with attached cap. The more fuel you carry with you, the greater the risk of unexpected fire. So carry only as much fuel with you as you need for your performance.

Some cities require fuel be kept in the original container, but where two or more gather to gig, just bring one container for everyone, please! And yes, you should all use the same fuel.

Never use glass containers, because they can break and scatter fuel when dropped. and can explode like a grenade if they come in contact with flame for more than a few seconds.

Metal screw-top fuel bottles are safest, but wide-mouth, fuel-rated Nalgene sports bottles holding no more than a quart/liter of fuel are also good. Fuel bottles should be checked regularly for cracks and leaks. They should be strong enough to withstand being stomped on without bursting or blowing off the cap. Nalgene and other plastic bottles must be rated to hold fuel or they will slowly leak all over everything in your prop bag and turn it into a potential torch. You will also need a heavy metal bowl or a clean paint can (with lid) for dipping your wicks. Your bowl or can should be large enought to hold a set of juggling torches or several poi, and be sturdy enough to stay upright.

Label your fuel bottle clearly and accurately--no jokes here. Mislabeled water and fuel constitute an intent to commit unforgivable, and possibly fatal, stupidity.

6. Airtight metal containers. A metal tool chest or ammo box will smother the flames on your torches, will store them safely, and will keep them from spreading soot all over everything. A cylindrical metal food-storage canister holds Fyrefly juggling balls nicely, and is airtight enough to extinguish flames immediately.

7. Fire-resistant clothing. Nothing is fireproof. Sometimes a fireman's used Nomex or Kevlar approach suit, or a racing driver's old suit is available for a few bucks. The next safest clothing is leather (unwaxed), pure wool, untreated 100% cotton, and your own skin, in about that order. Duvetyn that has never been washed is relatively fire-resistant, and some prefer it to damp towels for putting out torches and small fires.

Plastics and artificial fibers (rayon, nylon, dacron, polarfleece, etc.) catch fire almost instantly and will melt and then form hard nodules under your skin and inside muscle tissue. Natural materials (cotton, leather, wool, silk) will eventually be absorbed as your body heals.

Jeans and a t-shirt (100% cotton) are quite common fire garb and are relatively safe. If your hair is long, tie it back. Don't use hairspray or cologne before performing.

8. Matches and cigarette lighters. Book matches and cigarette lighters are standard equipment. But don't put that lighter in your pocket after lighting up. If your pants catch fire the lighter may explode. There are a number of one-legged ex-firemen who can testify to this. This applies to both butane and Zippo-type lighters. Also, use matches if you have to hold the flame above a prop's wick when lighting it. Any time a lighter is enveloped in flame it can blow up.

9. Travel light. Carry only as much fuel with you as you plan to use, and never keep it in the passenger compartment of a vehicle: in an accident it will spray over everything, and probably ignite. For long trips, don't take fuel with you--buy it when you get there. Public transportation such as planes, buses, and trains have strict rules regarding fuel. Find out what they are and follow them.