| > | | | | heat radiating from the fire pit. |
| Every year out-of-control campfires cause | | | | 3. Keep children away from the fire. |
| injuries, claim lives, and cost millions of dollars in | | | | Children love to run and play
it’s what |
| property loss. has devoted an entire section of | | | | they do!!! It’s all too easy for a child to trip |
| their website to fire safety. This article highlights | | | | and fall. If that happens to be into a fire, the |
| key points about campfire safety to ensure that | | | | damage is instant, severe, and tragic. |
| everyone remembers only the fun of the fire. | | | | Draw a line, make a ring of stones, or use some |
| Outdoor summer living, almost by default, includes | | | | other marking method to create a buffer zone 3 |
| gathering around a fire. Especially at the cabin or | | | | feet (1 meter) out from the fire and instruct |
| cottage. | | | | children that they are not allowed to cross it |
| Sadly, every year, largely through carelessness | | | | unless they are with an adult. And never leave |
| and lack of simple preparation, campfires become | | | | children alone at a fire. |
| symbols of tragedy for some instead of good | | | | 4. Check for fire bans in your area. |
| times. | | | | During extremely dry periods, many counties and |
| The glow and warmth of an outdoor fire seems | | | | regions implement temporary fire bans for safety. |
| to inspire sharing stories and song. It’s a | | | | 5. Check surrounding area for combustible |
| delightful way to spend time with family and | | | | materials. |
| friends. And as we head into early autumn, a fire | | | | Is the ground cover around your fire pit |
| wards off the chill of the evening. | | | | combustible such as dry grass? Clear a minimum |
| Basic Safety for Campfires — A Matter of | | | | 10 foot circle around the fire pit. |
| Common Sense | | | | 6. Are there trees nearby? |
| It is sometimes said that common sense | | | | Are there trees overhead or nearby that could |
| isn’t as common as it should be! | | | | catch a burning ember? If so, find another spot |
| Unfortunately, with fire that is often the case. | | | | for your fire. |
| It’s all too easy to be so focused on | | | | 7. What’s the weather forecast? |
| the fun aspects of the campfire that the | | | | Never start a fire when it’s windy. Burning |
| all-important safety aspects go by the | | | | embers can be carried a great distance and start |
| wayside. says Kim Thornton, from The | | | | a fire beyond your reach to put it out. |
| last thing you want is to find yourself facing the | | | | Is there wind in the forecast that could spread |
| destructive force of fire. | | | | any remaining embers from your fire after |
| Here is a list of things to keep in mind for safe | | | | everyone has retired for the night? If so, rethink |
| and accident-free campfires: | | | | having a campfire. |
| 1. Keep adequate water close at hand. | | | | 8. Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids |
| You need water to extinguish your fire at the end | | | | not intended for fire starting. |
| of the evening, but you should also have water or | | | | Gasoline and its fumes are highly flammable! Many |
| sand handy to put out any errant fires caused by | | | | people have suffered severe burns from an |
| burning embers. A hose is best, but full buckets | | | | explosion when gas was used to light a fire. Some |
| will do. Keep a spade or shovel handy as well. | | | | newspaper and dry kindling are best. |
| 2. Determine in advance who will put the fire out. | | | | 9. Don’t let the fire get too large. |
| Make it that person’s responsibility to | | | | Keep your fire to a manageable size and within |
| remain at the fire until it is completely out. | | | | the confines of your fire pit. |
| It’s easy, late at night, for everyone to | | | | 10. Have a flashlight by the fire. |
| leave as the air gets chilly without a thought to | | | | After dark, when the fire is out, you’ll |
| ensuring the fire is out. Perhaps alcohol was | | | | appreciate having the light to put out the fire and |
| consumed which could lead to fuzzy thinking. If | | | | to find your way to bed. |
| nobody has the specific responsibility to | | | | An out-of-control fire is an incredibly powerful and |
| thoroughly extinguish the fire, it might not get | | | | destructive force! It can devastate your home or |
| done. The risk then, is that a breeze could easily | | | | cabin, burn down forests, and destroy natural |
| fan what appears on the surface to be a dead | | | | habitat and wildlife. By following these simple, but |
| fire. | | | | very important safety considerations you can |
| Many devastating fires have started from a | | | | ensure your campfires leave only good memories |
| campfire that was not completely extinguished. | | | | behind! |
| Douse and stir many times, and check for any | | | | |