With the warmer weather finally here, the St. John’s Regional Fire Department is reminding residents that safety needs to be the top priority before you strike a match.

Fire inspector Jeannine Murphy says the first thing to do is to check your community’s rules on outdoor fires, because the regulations could change from town to town.

“Just because the fire ban is lifted doesn’t mean everybody has permission to burn; they still need to be checking the fire hazard map,” Murphy said.

She also says residents should make sure they have a cover for their fire pits to prevent sparks from flying, and have a bucket of water or hose nearby. As well, she contends that a propane fire might be a safer alternative to the traditional pits.

Murphy says never leave the fire unattended, make sure it’s on a stable, non-combustible base. If someone is buying a firepit, make sure it is CSA or ULC approved, and follow installation instructions. If someone is making one, it has to be made of masonry, brick, steel or heavy gauge metal.