Along with fall comes bonfires, but you certainly don’t want your house being lit up as well. Everyone should know these basic bonfire and campfire tips to have fun while keeping safe.

Location, Location, Location

Especially when dealing with large, open flames, make sure your bonfire is placed at least 60 feet from any houses, sheds, or other buildings in the area. Embers can easily jump much farther than you think, and one tiny spark can be enough to catch a structure on fire.

The Right Tools For The Job

When building your fire, make sure you’re using dry, untreated wood and paper-based materials. If your kindling is damp you’ll get more smoke then fire, which is not only bad for your health to breath, but can also cause visibility problems and increase the risk of accidents and injuries. And never use flammable liquids to get the fire started.

Be Prepared

For obvious reason, keep a bucket of water or a hose handy wherever you decide to lit up. Also, be sure to clear away any dry or dead brush you don’t want catching fire and be sure to stow any extra fireworks, sparklers, or pressurized containers far out of the flame’s reach.

Dress For The Occasion

Avoid wearing loose, flowing clothes when you’re near a bonfire or holding a sparkler. Fitted clothes pose less of a risk of going up in flames along with your fire if they accidentally catch. Similarly, avoid drinking too close to the fire as well. Alcohol is highly flammable and – while it may look cool in the movies – breathing fire is not nearly as much fun as it sounds.

To properly honor the memory of the House of Lords not burning down, be sure your own house doesn’t either. For more information, be sure to check out the BBC’s top safety tips.