Safety Tips to Prevent Campfire Injuries
Campfires are a great way to make memories with family and friends. Campfires create the perfect ambiance and atmosphere for a great time outside. Unfortunately, they can also be very dangerous and cause serious injuries if proper safety precautions are not taken. To prevent campfire injuries, use these safety tips:
Check the Campsite
Before you begin to light the campfire, make sure there is nothing around that could catch fire. If objects are too close to your campfire, they can easily catch on fire and spread throughout the campsite. It is recommended that you make a safety zone of at least five feet around the campfire.
Additionally, campfires should be built away from overhanging branches and dry leaves. If it is windy, don’t create your fire, as strong winds can cause sparks to spread quickly. This could result in injuries if they land on materials such as tents or sleeping bags.
Watch out for Kids
Naturally, children are adventurous and curious. They may want to approach the campfire and get too close, causing injury if they are in contact with flames or hot embers. For this reason, adults must be present when kids are around a lit fire.
One safety tip is to keep children away from the fire pit until you know your fire has burnt out and no embers remain. Once it has burned out, you can let kids approach the campfire to roast marshmallows or hot dogs for a fun treat.
It’s a great idea to have places that kids can sit and play on the campsite.
Avoid Dehydration
It is necessary to hydrate yourself frequently when you are camping. If your body becomes dehydrated from being in the sun all day without sufficient water, you are more likely to experience heat stroke or other health problems.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
You must never leave your campfire unattended, especially if it is windy outside. It takes only a few seconds for the fire to travel onto overhanging branches and dry leaves, causing severe injuries before anyone can react.
Always Have Fire Extinguishers
Small fires can turn into serious blazes very quickly. You need always have fire extinguishers nearby to stop a campfire from getting out of hand.
Safety First
The number one rule to camping is safety. If someone does get injured around a campfire, you should have a first aid kit nearby. It can also be helpful to ask another camper at your campsite for help if they are trained in CPR or other forms of medical assistance.
Avoid loosely hanging clothes when you are close to open flames. Loose clothing can become stuck on the side of a campfire and cause damage to your skin.
One of the most important things you can do is to have a First Aid Certification. This type of training provides you with the skills needed to handle an emergency in case someone gets injured while enjoying your campfire. Knowing how to give CPR or apply basic wound care, for example, could make all the difference in an emergency situation.
Never use water to put out an outdoor fire near dry brush or trees as it could spread quickly. Instead, use sand, dirt, or ashes. Alternatively, you could wait until the fire has burned completely down before attempting to put it out with water.
Campfires are a fun outdoor activity that can provide warmth and a great way to cook food. To prevent campfire injuries, make sure you follow the safety tips listed above.
