Make Fire Your Friend – Camping Safety Tips

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Fire is an essential element when camping. It has a great power – it can be a savior or a destroyer. I have dealt with the fire a lot both indoors and outdoors in my life of a marine.

This post will give you the basic understanding about the fire. There are several critical moments you should know about the fire before you go camping:

• Use existing campfire pits when it is possible. This is a tip by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. I cannot agree more. Why should we bother preparing another ring when one is already there?
• Look up and around. Even if there is an old campfire pit, look up and around to see if there are no branches, bushes or trees nearby. Of course, you should mind your tent, sleeping bag, cot and other belongings too. Keep the area clear 8-10 foot around your campfire. Here is an illustration how to do so:

• Make your fire pit safe. Even in you are planning to start a fire in the existing pit, make sure it meets the safety requirements. Clear the flammable debris from around the pit, circle the pit with rocks if there is no fire-proof circle around it already.
• Prepare lots of water for an emergency. You never know what may happen. If the wind suddenly grows wild and starts changing direction and your fire is big already, you may need to put out the fire quickly. Have a bucket or at least bowl or two of water.
• Make sure you put out the fire before leaving the campsite. I cannot elaborate that more. Nearly 35 percent of forest fires start from renewed fire of poorly extinguished camping fireplaces. No joke. Check out this cool video about putting out the fire before leaving the campsite:

• Watch your match. I mean watch it till it is cold. Lots of fires start from dropped match which is still burning. And please, don’t smoke – it is good for your health.
• Use a camping stove instead of making a fireplace. If you stopped just for one night, better use a small portable camping stove – it will be better for everyone. It leaves no footprint, it is extremely controllable and you will prepare your food faster.

Never make the fire in your tent. It may sound like a silly idea, but some people’s imagination is so vivid that they do so. If you are going camping when it is cold, make sure you know how to make your tent warm. Read this article to find out how: http://campingandcamping.com/10-tips-on-how-to-keep-your-tent-warm.

Again, fire is no joke. My father used to say “Don’t play games with the fire, it may trick you in a snap”. This is so true.

If you happen to see spreading fire in the forest or other place, call 911 immediately and keep a good distance from it. Usually, if it is dry and it is windy, the fire spreads like monster. I mean extremely quickly.

Here is a great infographic about fire safety:

Source: http://www.arkportablepower.com/blogs/news/16804252-camping-fire-safety-tips-for-a-very-dry-year

Stay tuned for more camping safety tips.