Campfire Safety Tips

7/1/2022 (Permalink)

When you are out camping, you have to light a campfire. Campfires are an important aspect of a camping trip where you roast marshmallows, share campfire stories, and create countless memories that last a lifetime. However, when camping and cooking, there is one thing that is of utmost importance: campfire safety.

Even a small campfire can potentially become an unmanageable and dangerous wildfire, causing some serious damage if not handled with care. Therefore, to make sure your camping adventure is disaster-free and full of great memories, it is important for you to follow these campfire safety tips on your next camping trip.

Scout for Pits Watchfully

Thinking about campfire safety even before lighting the fire is the first step to ensure a disaster-free trip. Therefore, when searching for a fire pit, you need to make sure there are no bushes nearby and it's not located under any low branches.

Keep Water Nearby

A new piece of wood or even a gust of wind may result in your fire growing larger than expected. However, by having water or dirt (along with a shovel) on hand, you can put out or reduce the flames quite effectively.

Safety Proof Your Fire Pit

Sure, most campgrounds have a fire pit already dug, but there are a few extra measures you should take:

- Keep all flammable items, including pressurized containers and aerosol cans away from the campfire.

- Keep the fire pit clear from all kinds of debris, including grass, garbage, and leaves.

- Circle the pit with big rocks or a metal ring to keep the fire under control and within the borders.

Moreover, you can also ask your campground ranger if you have any questions or concerns. Campfire safety is their top priority too (obviously), and they can check to ensure whether or not the pit is ready for use.

Watch the Fire

You must keep an eye on the fire at all times, especially if there are children and pets walking or sitting nearby. Ensuring the fire is built properly from the beginning is important as it will allow you to create a fire at a rate that is controllable and safe. Here are some things you should keep in mind:

- Do not use flammable liquids, as they can quickly become uncontrollable.

- Using small sticks, start a fire, and then place the wood around it. Add dry, larger pieces as it continues to grow.

Put Out the Fire before Bedtime

This one is a given. You need to extinguish the fire when it's time for bed, and this can be done by throwing dirt or slowly trickling water onto the fire. To ensure another fire does not start, stir the embers around a little.

Keep the campfire safety tips in mind, and rest assured your camping trip will be fun and safe.