Helping Hens

Every year, during the New Year's celebrations, there is a lot of damage to the road surface caused by fires on public roads. Open fires cause a lot of damage to the asphalt due to overheating. Depending on the type of damage, replacing asphalt can cost up to €1,500 per square meter. The municipality can recover this amount from the person responsible.

Are you lighting a fire in a fire pit or oil drum? Make sure you do so safely! Place the pit or drum on a stable layer of sand. This will prevent the road surface from overheating due to the heat of the fire.

The HELPING HANDS help you to safely light a fire in a fire pit or oil drum. At the bottom of this page, you can read how to do this. Watch the video in which the fire department shows you how to safely light a fire:

Voucher for 2 bags of sand

If you are lighting a fire in a fire pit or oil drum, first place the pit or drum on a layer of sand. This will prevent the road surface from overheating due to the heat of the fire. The municipality is issuing vouchers for two free bags of sand weighing 20-25 kilograms. You will find the voucher in Het Streekblad Thursday, December 18, and Tuesday, December 23. The vouchers can be redeemed at the Zoetermeer branches of Intratuin and Gamma (1 voucher per person).

Lighting a fire safely in a fire pit or oil drum

1. Requirements

  1. Fire pit or oil drum
  2. 2x 20 kg sandbags
  3. Clean wood
  4. Bucket of water
  5. Firelighters

2. Safety and preparation

Keep the basket/drum 5 meters away from flammable objects and never place it under a tree. Also ensure there is 3.5 meters of clearance for emergency services.

3. Sandbags

Empty the sandbags onto the ground. Place the basket/drum on the sand and make sure it is stable.

4. Lighting

Only use firelighters and clean wood to light the fire. Do not light a fire when the wind force is 5 or higher.

5. Burning

Always stay with the fire. Make sure that someone aged 18 or older is always supervising.

6. Extinguishing

Extinguish the fire and do not leave until it is completely out. Leave the basket/drum in place while it is still warm.

7. Tidying up

Dispose of the cooled remains with the residual waste and clean the area with a broom.

You can also download this information: