Dispose of hot ash safely
Selwyn District Council media release: 12th June 2023
A warm fire in the fireplace is one of the best things about winter, but without care it can quickly become a hazard. One of the easiest ways fires start is not disposing properly of hot ashes. Ashes can stay hot long after a fire has gone out and they can and do start fires in household rubbish bins. Hot ashes have also started fires in rubbish trucks and transfer stations.
Always remember – bucket, bag it and bin it.
- Using a small metal shovel, scoop ash from your fireplace into a metal bucket with a lid. It's really important that you only use a metal bucket or container and not something that could easily catch fire from any residual heat left in the ashes such as plastic or cardboard.
- Take the bucket outside, away from any buildings, and douse with water.
- Leave to cool for at least 5 days.
Once the ash has been safely cooled you can use it sparingly in your garden by spreading thinly over your lawn or stirring thoroughly into your home compost pile, or empty the cold ash into a rubbish bag and place it into your rubbish bin. Please do not place ash into your recycling or organics bin.