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Fire Safety
How to look after your fire poi
Poi Passion strongly recommends that you take good care of your fire poi as accidents can happen if not used in a careful way. It is especially important that to learn about your fire poi safety to prevent any accident from ever happening.
Here are some safety tips:
Poi spinning safety checks:
- Check that the Kevlar is not fraying or has disconnected from the poi before spinning. If the poi has frayed there is a chance the poi will spit fire or even break!
- Before spinning check that the screws on side of the poi are not poking out. These could scratch your face or eyes.
- Check that the chain is strong, has not broken, or is weak before spinning. If it is, do not use the poi as they could swing off putting any one near by in danger!
- Check the handles are not broken or frayed; the handle can sometimes get burnt when spinning poi or can get paraffin on it making them weak. This is a danger! Give them a good tug before using to make sure they are still strong.
- NEVER put the poi in the paraffin either when still on fire or soon after they have gone out as the bucket may ignite!
What should I use to soak the poi?
Poi Passion recommends you use paraffin or lighter fluid. We strongly suggest that people do not to use diesel or petrol as this is extremely dangerous, and also bad for the enviroment.
Always check that the area you are about to spin poi in for any potential danger(s): i.e. trees, wood, paper and people - anything that is a potential fire or saftey hazard. Always make sure that there are no fire regulations/restrictions where you are spinning. Always be thoughtful where you are lighting your poi.
After performing both area and equipment safety checks - dip the (cool, unlit) poi in a metal bucket of paraffin and let them soak for a couple of minutes. Then spin the poi gently in a clear area to get rid of the excess paraffin - making sure you are not near anyone as this will splash outward in an arc. If you do not get rid of the excess paraffin you will find that the poi will spit fire far beyond the swing of the poi!
Light your poi with a lighter (not a larger fire), and allow the poi to burn for at least 1 minute before spinning. So you get the best out of the fire poi - light the poi from the bottom.
After I have spun what do I do?
Always have a damp/wet towel at hand to dowse the flames and let the poi cool down.
AGAIN: NEVER put the poi in the paraffin either when still on fire or soon after they have gone out as the bucket of paraffin may ignite.
Always endeavour to have a fire blanket at hand, or ideally a small fire extinguisher, water and a first-aid kit just in case. You never know what can happen and it is better to be safe and prepared, than sorry. The personel of Poi Passion have basic first aid skills.
What should I wear?
Make sure you are wearing the right kind of clothing for poi fire spinning: i.e. jeans or leather and something sensible on the your top (NOT synthetic material), as your cloths could be the first thing to up in flames if something goes terribly wrong! Also endeavour to wear a hat when spinning, as its not unusual for human hair to catch on fire!
Fire Insurance
We highly recommend if you are a performing a poi fire show, that you get yourself insured with public liability and fire insurance. It is absolutely essential when doing professional shows. All of Poi Passion's core performers carry Public Liability Insurance covering up to £5 million in damages.
Risk Assessments
Poi Passion will carry out a risk assessment prior to the performance (a requirement of our insurance). We will also do a second risk assessment on the actual day of the show.
What happens if I get burnt?
Getting burnt by fire poi is not unusual as you are literally playing with fire! If you do get burnt - place the injured part under cold water for 10 minutes minimum. If it is a really bard burn go to A&E immediately. NEVER EVER put any creams or lotions on the burn. A clean damp/wet cloth is best.
Children and fire poi
Poi Passion does not recommend fire spinning to people under 18 years old. There is also a legal age limit on buying fire poi. If you are spinning and under 18, always have an adult with you and fire safety equipment at hand. This advice is extremely important - so please adhere to it.
Alcohol and drugs when poi fire spinning
Poi Passion strongly discourages that poiers do not get drunk or take drugs while fire spinning, as your awareness will not be sharp. We strongly recommend that you poi in a natural mind/body state, as you will feel the true freedom and joy of spinning poi.
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