Warm weather invites us to enjoy the sunshine on balconies and explore the greenery around our home. But before you plan a barbecue or a campfire, it’s important to make sure when and under what conditions it is allowed.
Grilling on a Balcony
- You may use a grill on a balcony or a terrace connected to a building only if all safety requirements are followed and the device’s manual explicitly allows it.
- In addition, you must obtain permission from your apartment association to use grills on balconies or terraces.
- Before packing away or covering the grill, ensure that it has completely cooled down, as a hot grill poses a fire hazard.
Making a Campfire in Nature
- Always check the fire hazard map before making a campfire to see the current fire risk level in your area and whether campfires are permitted.
- The campfire must be set up at a safe distance from buildings, vegetation, forested areas, and flammable materials. The minimum safe distance depends on the size of the fire but should be at least 8 metres.
- In forested areas, you may only make a fire in designated and properly marked fire sites.
- Before leaving the area, always make sure the fire is completely extinguished.
Be Careful!
- Never leave a grill or a campfire unattended, even for a moment.
- Always keep fire extinguishing equipment nearby – a bucket of water, a fire extinguisher, or a fire blanket should be easily accessible whenever grilling or making a campfire.
For more detailed instructions, please refer to the Minister of the Interior Regulation on Requirements for Campfire and Grilling Areas and the Estonian Rescue Board’s official guidelines.
Source: rescue board
