Summer fun often includes hiking, camping, and campfires. There’s nothing like sitting around an open campfire with family and friends, roasting hot dogs on a stick, toasting marshmallows for one more s‘more, and swapping stores or singing as the evening darkens. Keep in mind, that while it is a magical and memorable activity, it is also an activity that poses dangers. Campfire safety is of utmost importance.
With that in mind, here are 10 great campfire safety tips provided by the US Forest Service and the American Burn Association:
- Choose a protected spot noting the direction of the wind and fire restrictions
- Build fires in a designated ring/pit at least 15 feet away from all flammable objects or materials
- Keep children and pets at a safe distance with a “circle of safety” at 3 feet from the fire’s edge
- Use long sticks or skewers to roast hotdogs and marshmallows
- Have water and a shovel nearby
- Keep the fire small
- Never leave a fire unattended
- Gather tinder, kindling, and approved firewood to start your fire; never use a flammable liquid
- Talk to children about campfire safety
- Completely extinguish the fire with WATER
While all of the tips are important, extinguishing the fire properly is of upmost importance. According to the US Forest Service, it is the least adhered to rule and is the leading cause of injury and destruction. Follow Smokey Bear’s Drown-Stir-Drown-Feel method to make sure it is done right:
- Drown the campfire with lots water; never bury a fire with dirt or sand
- Stir the ashes and drown with water again
- Check to make sure the campfire is cold by holding your bare hands just above the wet ashes
- If you feel heat, stir again and drown with water
Discover more by visiting these websites: Smokey Bear’s Campfire Safety Guide or the American Burn Association’s Campfire Safety: Cool the Coals.
