There’s nothing quite like a cosy fire or a winter bonfire — until it’s time to deal with the leftover ash and charcoal. It might look harmless, but they can hold heat for much longer than you expect. If it goes into your red rubbish bin or compost while it’s still warm, it can melt the bin, start a fire, or create a serious hazard inside a collection truck.

Here’s the steps households can take when dealing with ash and charcoal this winter:

• Use a small metal shovel to scoop ash or charcoal into a metal bucket. Do not use plastic, cardboard or paper containers.
• Take the bucket outside and place it well away from buildings, fences, decks, trees and anything else that could catch fire.
• Douse the ash or charcoal with cold water and leave it to cool for at least five days.
  

Some fun and practical ways to reuse cold ash and charcoal

• Give the garden a gentle boost: small amounts of ash can add potassium and help lift soil pH. Avoid using it around acid-loving plants such as blueberries, azaleas and hydrangeas, and keep it away from new seedlings.
• Support compost carefully: a small amount of untreated wood ash may be used in home compost to increase nutrients, but avoid coal ash, charcoal ash with additives, or ash from treated wood.
• Keep tools drier: a few pieces of unused charcoal in a toolbox can help absorb moisture and reduce rust.
• Get creative: cooled charcoal can be used for sketching, garden markers or messy outdoor art projects with the kids.

Important: ash from treated, painted or manufactured wood should not be used in gardens or compost, as it may contain contaminants.

Taking a few extra days to dispose of ash safely helps protect your home, your rubbish collectors and our wider community.