Got all of your safety items in place? If you're not 100% certain you're ready, don't light up. It's important to have a slightly damp towel or blanket, an actual fire blanket is ideal and a well-stocked first aid kit and working fire extinguisher should be on hand. Furthermore, never light up alone. If something goes wrong you need someone else ready and waiting to help, as well as making sure any passers by stay out of your way. Make sure you have your local emergency numbers and information handy. If you wind up in need of greater assistance, the time it takes to run inside the house and start looking for it could be very costly.

While newbies are quite often drawn to colorful flowy shiny costumes for fire hooping, there are very good reasons that you won't see a lot of that. Loose fabric can catch fire, often without you even being aware. Put on something form fitting made from all natural fibers. While a shiny polyester top could melt right into your skin, it takes some serious effort for 100% cotton clothing to catch flame. If you don't believe me, give it a try. If your hair is of a length that it could come into contact with fire you may want to wet it down and/or bind it or tuck it up under a hat.

In working with fuel, make sure your fuel doesn't wind up anywhere other than on your kevlar wick. Submerge your week into the fuel, stir it around, then lift it out with an appropriate container beneath it to help catch any spillage. This is particularly important for when you wring out any excess fuel to prevent spraying once you start hooping. Make certain that you're not hooping on a flammable surface and when it comes time to light up that you're not anywhere near your fuel containers.

Hooping with a fire hoop for the first time can be a little disorienting. It's going to be a warmer experience and the sound of fire swirling around does indeed add another dimension to the experience of hooping. Hoop until the wick fuel burns itself out, keeping it mind that if your kevlar wicks begin to smolder they're not going to last as long - or if you're hoop is still burning and you're finished you can try blowing the wick out, or smothering the wick with a damp towel. By damp we're talking wet enough to snuff the flame, not so wet that you've rendered your hoop unusuable. You or your fire safety person may want to give it another spin.

It's important to keep the reality of playing with fire ever present. If, for example, you honestly believe there is no risk of getting burned or that it will never happen to you, we'd suggest not lighting up until your attitude changes. Give fire the respect it deserves. Imagine for a moment that somehow you've managed to burn yourself or someone else. Run cold water over the injured area for ten minutes to return the temperature of the skin to normal. Remove any clothing from the affected area, unless that clothing is stuck to the skin. If it's stuck to the skin, leave it there and wrap the burn in a sterile, non-stick dressing. Leave the burn alone - do not break open any blisters that may have formed. Alleviate pain by gently pouring more cold water over the dressing. Drink plenty of water, do not drink alcohol. If the burn is minor in nature consider applying some aloe vera as well. Do not apply moisturizers or lotions or adhere adhesive band-aids or bandages to the area. If the burn is serious get medical aid as soon as possible.

While fire hooping can add another dimension to your hooping experience, playing with fire is a matter that must be taken seriously. Any experienced fire hooper will tell you that an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure. Follow these important fire safety tips to reduce your potential for harming yourself or others, remembering that there is always a risk when you strike the match. May your journey into fire hooping always be safe and sane. We wish you the very best of luck.

- Philo Hagen