The Medicine Hat Fire Service has launched a new campaign aimed at educating people about the dangers of improperly discarding cigarette butts. (CHATNewsToday/Colton McKee)

By Tiffany Goodwein (CHATNewsToday)

hold on to your butts

‘Don’t be a flicking idiot;’ Campaign urges people to think twice before tossing cigarette butts

Aug 2, 2020 | 9:38 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – They may be small in size, but they can ignite significant blazes which is why the Medicine Hat Fire Department has launched a new campaign boldly called ‘Don’t Be a Flicking Idiot, Tossed Butts Start Fires.’

The campaign aims to inform people about the dangers of improperly discarded cigarettes, especially as the weather heats up.

“We see it all the time where people will flick them out a window and into a ditch, and it can start a grass fire. If they are on a balcony and not put out properly, they can go into a planter or in front of their house and start something,” said Fire Prevention Officer Curtis Sjodin.

“Cigarette butts can smolder for a long time, and a fire can start a half an hour later,” he added. “So make sure that you put them out in a proper ashtray, and they are fully out before you leave them.”

Carelessly discarded cigarettes have become a leading cause of fires over the years in Medicine Hat and they can cause significant damage.

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Last year, two blazes caused by cigarette butts resulted in approximately $1 million in damages alone, according to Sjodin.