3 Ways to Safely Burn Paper

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3 Ways to Safely Burn Paper
3 Ways to Safely Burn Paper

Video: 3 Ways to Safely Burn Paper

Video: 3 Ways to Safely Burn Paper
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Whenever you set fire to something there is a risk that it could set fire to nearby structures and other objects. If you have made the decision to burn paper rather than otherwise dispose of it, confirm that you are not posing any risk to your surroundings. To burn paper safely - and avoid harming yourself and the atmosphere - there are several different methods you can use. The most important point is to carry out the burning in a restricted space so that the fire does not spread.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Choosing an Outdoor Burning Site

Burn Paper Safely Step 1
Burn Paper Safely Step 1

Step 1. Check local laws and guidelines regarding paper burning

Depending on where you live, even a small outdoor fire may be illegal. Also, in your condominium there may be a rule to prevent the burning of papers even if it is technically legal. Search the internet to find information from the government in your region and contact them by phone or email to find out if you can legally carry out the burning.

Contact local law enforcement officials to determine if paper burning is prohibited

Burn Paper Safely Step 2
Burn Paper Safely Step 2

Step 2. Use a stone or metal furnace for safe burning

The stone furnace is one of the safest places to fire, and is usually built in a dry ground space. Metal or brick furnaces, on the other hand, are elevated structures that keep the fire 30 to 60 centimeters above the ground. These furnaces will not only withstand the burning papers, they will also allow you to have a fire without any risk to nearby trees or lawns.

  • If you don't have a stone furnace, you can buy a metal or brick furnace at a building materials house.
  • Elevated furnaces have yet another advantage: as they elevate their contents above the ground, air circulation is easier under the fire, allowing for better ventilation and more efficient burning.
Burn Paper Safely Step 3
Burn Paper Safely Step 3

Step 3. Dig a hole in the yard to prevent the fire from spreading

If you don't have access to a furnace, the second best option would be a hole. Use a shovel to dig until you are 6 to 8 inches deep. As the ground is non-flammable, this hole will be a safe space for burning paper without any risk of the flames spreading. After burning and disposing of them, refill it using the shovel.

Use the shovel or hands to pull grass, sticks, and other flammable materials out of the hole. Take approximately two feet from all sides

Burn Paper Safely Step 4
Burn Paper Safely Step 4

Step 4. Buy a closed grill if you have safety concerns

If you have enough funds and want to ensure that the fire from the burning doesn't spread, try using a closed grate. This type of apparatus consists of a ventilated steel box a little less than a meter high and can be used for burning various materials. If you plan to burn paper regularly, use a closed grill.

Search a hardware store or building supply house. Its price ranges from hundreds to thousands of reais

Burn Paper Safely Step 5
Burn Paper Safely Step 5

Step 5. If you need to burn a lot of papers, build a fire before proceeding

If you have to burn several reams of paper, a big fire might be your best bet. Intense heat will burn them faster than a grate or a furnace. Mount it at least ten feet from any trees or lawns to ensure that fire does not spread. Stay near the fire until it has been completely extinguished.

As a safety precaution, contact the fire department before starting. Let them know the day and time the bonfire will be built. That way, if something gets out of hand, they'll have the resources on hand to help you put out a fire

Burn Paper Safely Step 6
Burn Paper Safely Step 6

Step 6. Burn the papers in a barbecue if the quantity is small

If you don't have a lot of papers to burn, you don't have to bother using a furnace, a hole, or even building a big fire. If you have a barbecue nearby, it will provide all the heat you need. Put a layer of charcoal on the base and light it with a little fuel. This method is ideal if you have fewer than 20 sheets to burn.

If it's removable, take the metal grill off the grill and burn the papers directly onto the hot charcoal

Method 2 of 3: Controlling Outdoor Fires

Burn Paper Safely Step 7
Burn Paper Safely Step 7

Step 1. Choose a wet, windless day for the burn

When going on a windy day, for example, embers can drive burning leaves toward nearby trees or lawns. Check the weather forecast and plan to burn your papers outdoors on a day with little wind. It's also wise to do this on a wet day so that even if some embers fly away, the risk of a fire is nearly nullified.

It is always a good idea to stipulate the local fire risk before burning papers outdoors

Burn Paper Safely Step 8
Burn Paper Safely Step 8

Step 2. Place a fire extinguisher within 1.5 meters of the location

Even if you are planning to burn a few leaves, you need to have a fire extinguisher handy. The fire can quickly get out of control, it is important that the fire extinguisher is nearby to put it out.

If you don't have a fire extinguisher, buy one at a hardware store or building supply house

Burn Paper Safely Step 9
Burn Paper Safely Step 9

Step 3. Clear the area of any flammable materials

Regardless of where the burning takes place, it is important to prevent the fire from spreading. To do this, move all flammable objects so that they are at least three meters from the fire. This includes wooden pallets, garbage cans, wood piles, gallons of oil or gasoline, and anything else that can catch fire.

If you are concerned about the spread of the fire, pour a perimeter of sand around the area where the burn will occur

Burn Paper Safely Step 10
Burn Paper Safely Step 10

Step 4. Start a small fire before starting the burning

Paper burns quickly, so it's important to have some sticks already burning before adding paper to the mix. Prepare a firelighter base (such as pine needles or sliced newspaper). Place small sticks on top. Finally, place three to four medium-sized logs. Tilt them over each other so they don't cover the fire, preventing it from igniting. Next, start burning the lighter with matches or a lighter.

If ignition is difficult, you can also put some fuel at the base of the fire

Burn Paper Safely Step 11
Burn Paper Safely Step 11

Step 5. Load one to two sheets of paper at a time

If you throw in the entire sheaf of paper at once, this will likely end up extinguishing the flames. Avoid doing this by moving them down gradually. After the first ones are burning, add others gradually. Wait until each one catches fire and is fully burning before adding new leaves.

If the fire is about to go out, place three to four pieces of tinder in the fire to keep it alive

Burn Paper Safely Step 12
Burn Paper Safely Step 12

Step 6. Stay close and keep an eye out for fire while burning the papers

Once you've burned them, don't just walk away and leave the fire. A gust of wind and embers would hit a lawn, an animal might run toward the fire, or even a child might walk past and try to grab the burning sheets of paper. Stay 1.5 meters from the fire while it is burning to avoid accidents.

If you need to go inside for any reason (such as going to the bathroom), ask another adult person to take care of the fire

Burn Paper Safely Step 13
Burn Paper Safely Step 13

Step 7. Discard the ashes as soon as the fire is out

Unless you've burned the papers over a bathtub, chances are you'll have a pile of ash after you finish. Use a stick to handle the fire and confirm that there are no more live embers. Next, don't just leave the ashes in the hole or drum - sweep it all up using a broom and shovel. Dispose of the burnt ash in the trash or compost bin.

Unless it's an emergency, avoid throwing a bucket of water on the fire. This turns the ashes into an impossible-to-discard goo

Method 3 of 3: Burning indoors

Burn Paper Safely Step 14
Burn Paper Safely Step 14

Step 1. Fill a bathtub halfway with cold water

If you live in an urban area and do not have access to a furnace or other outdoor burning structure, you may need to burn the paper indoors. The best place to do this is in a bathtub. Cover it to prevent everything from leaking down the drain and fill it halfway with water.

Before firing, ensure that any flammable materials are at least one to two meters away. This would include towels, mats and bottles of shampoo or conditioner

Burn Paper Safely Step 15
Burn Paper Safely Step 15

Step 2. Burn four to five sheets at a time

You can use a butane lighter or wooden matches in this step. Light four to five sheets at a time, starting from the edge or one of the corners. As they burn, hold them over water. That way, if they get out of control, the flames will just fall and be extinguished.

  • Bathtub burning works best if you only have a small stack of papers to burn. Otherwise, smoke can even trigger the fire alarm.
  • Be careful not to burn your fingers while holding the papers.
Burn Paper Safely Step 16
Burn Paper Safely Step 16

Step 3. Discard any unburned floating debris

All this paper is unlikely to turn to ashes. You will probably still have a few small pieces of charred paper floating on the surface of the bathtub water. Collect them all by hand and throw them into a dumpster instead of letting them go down the drain.

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