Things Illinois Residents Need To Stop Setting In Their Fire Pits

A tragic accident that happened in Lena, Illinois is a very important reminder about safety around fire pits and bonfires. In mid-June, first responders were called to a home after an explosion and fire occurred. Two individuals were severely burned when a fuel barrel was placed onto a bonfire and exploded, according to WREX. Both victims were airlifted to a Wisconsin hospital for treatment, one of the died from her injuries.

DO NOT PLACE THESE ITEMS IN YOUR FIRE PIT/BONFIRE

Many people enjoy a good fire as long as it's for recreational purposes. People use fire pits and bonfires to sit around and relax, roast hot dogs and marshmallows, and sometimes burn what they think is burnable versus putting it into the trash. Some of the things being tossed into fires it a bad idea.

Scrap wood; should it be burned?

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The answer is a hard no if it's treated. The risks include inhaling the chemicals from whatever the treatment may be. This includes old boards from decks, anything painted or stained, shipping pallets, and railroad ties.

Is it OK to use lighter fluid or gasoline to ignite or amplify the fire?

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No, just don't do it. Use untreated paper, sticks, or leaves. This can be a very dangerous decision no matter how many times you've done it before.

Is cardboard OK to burn?

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Well, that depends, has it been chemically treated? The same rule should apply because nobody should be inhaling those fumes, Also, think about the ash that may blow off. Could it set fire to nearby trees or grass?

Random plants and leaves?

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That right there is poison ivy and it is not your friend in any form. If you're burning wood you found in nature be careful about leaves like this that might be stuck to it. You do not want to inhale fumes from poisonous plants.

Is it ok to burn garbage?

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You might be thinking garbage isn't dangerous but if you forget about aerosol cans or batteries you could have a problem on your hands. Also, what else are you burning that could carry pollutants and other bad fumes into the air?

Is it OK to burn grass clippings?

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Well, they could scatter or if there are lawn chemicals on them you'll want to avoid burning them.

Is it OK to burn food/leftovers?

Again, maybe not dangerous the smells that could come from it might be no bueno.

[h/t Unlimited Outdoor Kitchen]

LOOK: Here Are 30 Foods That Are Poisonous to Dogs

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.