Wet them thoroughly with water to be sure all coals are out completely. Be careful with matches. Keep all matches and lighters out of sight and reach of children. In only ten percent of the child-caused fires do children have to work to obtain matches or a lighter. Never leave a fire unattended.
Sparks can blow into leaves or grass and quickly spread.
Keep a shovel and charged garden hose nearby while burning so that they can be quickly used to extinguish a fire in an emergency. Maintain a ten-foot diameter circle around your debris pile or burn barrel clear of tall grass and other burnable material. Parents, caution your children about playing with matches or lighters. Teach them that fire is a useful tool, not a plaything. Also teach them to report any fire they see, or any child playing with fire, to an adult.