Fire IS Dangerous, but that's half the fun
I've been working with fire now for about 6 years and I've never had a bad burn. Yeah, you can get small amounts of hair that may singe(with poi especially) or if you're silly enough like I was in the early days...you wear the wrong clothing...then you're asking for trouble. I set fire to the back of my NYLON top once, showing off with a pair of poi that belonged to a guy I had a crush on, it certainly taught me a lesson!!! Nothing serious tho...the rolling around on the ground putting it out obviously had some affect on him because we were together for 5 years after that lol. Fire is Dangerous, but is more dangerous if you don't take the right precautions. Clothing is obviously very important, cotton being a good choice! Hair also...no loose hair...that's just silly. I have dreads so I tie mine back and cover them depending on my toy. Poi are probably the most dangerous toy as they swing and can get caught. Insurance is a must, as are fire blankets and extinguishers, along with the right performance plan...so for example, if you're working with fire you don't play near something flammable and people need to be far enough away for their protection. It's basic common sense. Sounds a lot to consider...it is, but to watch someone move and dance with fire, to me is one of the most beautiful things to watch. Belly dancing has me mesmerised...belly dancing with fire fans, or a tray of candles, or hand lamps adds a kind of forbidden pleasure to the dance, it's so hypnotic.
Fire fans are probably one of the least dangerous props as they are sturdy and you just hold them. Some people throw them and spin them but I've not got that far yet. Mine are really heavy so I think I'll just move them for the minute, I'm in no rush to perform top notch tricks with them. I think that's the joy of dancing, you don't need to execute tough tricks.
