Whether indoors or outside on the patio, using potted plants to extinguish smoking materials is a bad idea. In recent years, potting soil has played an increasing role in a number of house fires across the country.Potting soil is not the same as dirt. Many commercial potting soil blends contain peat moss, which becomes flammable when it gets too dry. Other flammable organic materials such as shredded wood, coir fiber (coconut fiber), composted pine bark, Styrofoam and vermiculite can also be found in potting mix. Add in a plant that has dried out or died from lack of water, and the chance of ignition from improperly discarded smoking materials only increases.Smoking materials are the leading cause of fire deaths. One out of four victims who die in fires related to smoking materials is not the smoker whose cigarette started the fire. Fortunately, these kinds of fires can be easily prevented.
- Use only fire-safe cigarettes.
- Properly extinguish smoking materials and make sure they are completely out before discarding them.
- Do not discard cigarettes in mulch, potted plants, peat moss, dried grasses or leaves.
- Keep cigarettes, lighters, matches and other smoking materials in a locked cabinet, well out of the reach of children.Sources:National Fire Protection AssociationKansas Fire Incident Reporting System 2014 Annual Report
