Summers and camping just go together. Campfires at the lake or on the deck are equally inviting on a summer night or a cool fall evening. Safe Kids Grand Forks reminds readers of these tips to make and keep a safe campfire or bon fire environment.
Check the weather first!!
• Wind + Fire = trouble
Burn in a clear area:
• Make sure there are no branches or wires overhead.
• Contain fire so it won’t scatter once burning.
Never use gas to start fires!!
• Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors can explode.
• There are many fire starting devices on the market that can be purchased and used to ignite a fire. Safe Kids Grand Forks also has FREE fire starting kits and recipes. To obtain one, contact us at safekids@altru.org
Tips to safety starting a camp fire:
• Most camp grounds and parks have designated fire pits. Use them when possible. If there is no designated fire area, dig a small pit and circle it with rocks.
• Clear a five-foot area around the pit or fire ring.
• NEVER use an accelerant such as gasoline or charcoal fluid to start a fire.
• Keep a bucket of water and shovel nearby. Stack extra wood upwind and away from the fire.
• After lighting a fire, make sure matches are cool before discarding.
• Never leave a campfire unattended, not even for a minute.
• Carefully monitor young children around a fire to assure they don’t trip and fall or catch clothing on fire.
More important than building a good camp fire is to make sure you completely put it out!
• Extinguish your campfire at least 1/2 hour before you plan to leave or go to bed.
• If you are extinguishing a burning fire rather than hot ash and coals, first use a stick to stir the wood and ash. This is to extinguish the flames as much as you can.
• Sprinkle water over the coals. Continue to sprinkle water and stir until no more steam rises and you hear no hissing steam.
• Let the fire area sit for at least 10 minutes to assure it is out before leaving.
• Feel the area for hot spots – hold the back of your hand close to the ash, but not in it. Feel around for heat spots.
• Scatter unused wood back into the surrounding woods or leave it away from the site.
These tips are provided by Safe Kids Grand Forks. Altru Health System is proud to serve as the lead agency for Safe Kids Grand Forks. For more information on childhood injury prevention topics, visit us at www.safekidsgf.com or e-mail safekids@altru.org
