Co-operative: Potting soil can be a fire hazard

When someone put a cigarette in a planter outside of a Calgary condo last March, a massive fire left 250 people without a home. The potting soil in the planter contained highly flammable peat moss.

Today's potting soil and fertilizers contain less dirt and more organic matter like shredded wood, bark, peat moss, Styrofoam, and vermiculite. These substances are flammable. With more business people and homeowners smoking outside, disposed cigarettes can be the fuel that burns down the house. "People should remember to be prudent when disposing their cigarettes," said Glen Oxford, claims manager for The Co-operators in a press release. "You might think you are safely extinguishing it in dirt and not realize the soil is actually flammable. The reality is that homes have burned to the ground because of careless cigarette disposal." Reducing the chance of potted plant fires is easy, the co-operative of community organizations says. Don't use potted plants as an ashtray, instead provide an appropriate ashtray/smoker's receptacle in smoking areas. Watering potted plants helps reduce the chance of fire. Do not keep potted plants near combustible materials. Spread unused potting soil in your yards and garden. Clay planter pots are the best planting containers. They are better at keeping potting soil fires contained, the Co-operators say.