| This is the HOW-TO-CAMP guide Information for tent and RV camping |
| Campfire Safety Tips |
Indiana DHS Releases Campfire Safety Tips, Press Release
Protect Yourself and Hoosier Forests by Following These
Campfire Safety Tips
INDIANAPOLIS (9/4/2009 1:16 PM)
Campfires are the nation's leading cause of children's camping
injuries, and the primary catalyst for damaging forest fires.
Indiana State Fire Marshal, James Greeson warns "It is
important that all fires are extinguished properly and there is
parental supervision around fires for children of all ages."
Campfire building may be safely undertaken if you practice
proper burning techniques and safety measures to protect
yourself and Indiana forests.
Below are a few basic fire safety tips from the Fire Marshal's
Office, a division of the Indiana Department of Homeland
Security (IDHS), and the Indiana Department of Natural
Resources (DNR)
.
Prepare your fire site
.
Protect Yourself and Hoosier Forests by Following These
Campfire Safety Tips
INDIANAPOLIS (9/4/2009 1:16 PM)
Campfires are the nation's leading cause of children's camping
injuries, and the primary catalyst for damaging forest fires.
Indiana State Fire Marshal, James Greeson warns "It is
important that all fires are extinguished properly and there is
parental supervision around fires for children of all ages."
Campfire building may be safely undertaken if you practice
proper burning techniques and safety measures to protect
yourself and Indiana forests.
Below are a few basic fire safety tips from the Fire Marshal's
Office, a division of the Indiana Department of Homeland
Security (IDHS), and the Indiana Department of Natural
Resources (DNR)
.
Prepare your fire site
.
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Check the weather forecast. Weather fluctuations, such as sudden gusts of wind, could make debris burning
spark a wildfire.
. At Indiana state park, state reservoir and state forest facilities, campfires are allowed only in designated
areas, such as campfire rings and fire pits.
. A safe burning site will be far away from power lines, overhanging limbs, buildings, automobiles, equipment,
rotten stumps, shrubs, dry grass and leaves. The fire will have a vertical clearance at least three times the height
of the pile, as heat from the fire extends far past the actual flames that you see.
spark a wildfire.
. At Indiana state park, state reservoir and state forest facilities, campfires are allowed only in designated
areas, such as campfire rings and fire pits.
. A safe burning site will be far away from power lines, overhanging limbs, buildings, automobiles, equipment,
rotten stumps, shrubs, dry grass and leaves. The fire will have a vertical clearance at least three times the height
of the pile, as heat from the fire extends far past the actual flames that you see.
Do not allow children and pets near the campfire and never
leave them unsupervised.
. Teach kids how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches
fire. Have a fire extinguisher on hand for emergencies and teach
children how to use it.
. Keep plenty of water nearby and have a shovel for throwing
sand on the fire if it gets out of control.
. Never leave a campfire unattended. Even a small breeze
leave them unsupervised.
. Teach kids how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches
fire. Have a fire extinguisher on hand for emergencies and teach
children how to use it.
. Keep plenty of water nearby and have a shovel for throwing
sand on the fire if it gets out of control.
. Never leave a campfire unattended. Even a small breeze
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The ground around the fire or burn site should be surrounded
by gravel or mineral soil (dirt) for at least ten feet in all
directions. Keep the surrounding area watered down during the
burn.
Keep the fire in a contained unit such as a burn barrel, BBQ
unit, hibachi or a small pit with rocks around it.
Building a fire directly on the ground can allow the fire to spread
underground through root systems or decaying material.
by gravel or mineral soil (dirt) for at least ten feet in all
directions. Keep the surrounding area watered down during the
burn.
Keep the fire in a contained unit such as a burn barrel, BBQ
unit, hibachi or a small pit with rocks around it.
Building a fire directly on the ground can allow the fire to spread
underground through root systems or decaying material.
could quickly cause the fire to spread. Remain with your fire until it is completely out.
. When extinguishing the fire, drown it with water. Make sure all embers, coals, and sticks are wet. Move rocks,
as there may be burning embers underneath. Stir the remains, add more water, and stir again.
. If you do not have water, use dirt. Mix plenty of soil and sand with the embers. Continue adding and stirring
until all material is cooled.
. Do not bury your coals, they can smolder and start to burn again.
Never leave unused firewood behind at the campfire site.
. When extinguishing the fire, drown it with water. Make sure all embers, coals, and sticks are wet. Move rocks,
as there may be burning embers underneath. Stir the remains, add more water, and stir again.
. If you do not have water, use dirt. Mix plenty of soil and sand with the embers. Continue adding and stirring
until all material is cooled.
. Do not bury your coals, they can smolder and start to burn again.
Never leave unused firewood behind at the campfire site.
Safely start the fire
. When building a fire, start with dry twigs and small sticks. Add larger sticks as the fire builds up. Put the largest
pieces of wood on last, pointing them toward the center of the fire, and gradually push them into the flames.
. Never use flammable liquids to ignite or keep your fire burning. This means, avoid gasoline, diesel fuel, lighter
fluid and other dangerous fuels.
. After lighting the fire do not discard the match until it is cold. Douse it with water to be sure.
. Keep campfires small and do not let them get out of hand. The suggested size is 2', X2', X2'.
. Stack extra firewood upwind and away from the fire.
Stay safe around fires Learn about cooking over a campfire
. When building a fire, start with dry twigs and small sticks. Add larger sticks as the fire builds up. Put the largest
pieces of wood on last, pointing them toward the center of the fire, and gradually push them into the flames.
. Never use flammable liquids to ignite or keep your fire burning. This means, avoid gasoline, diesel fuel, lighter
fluid and other dangerous fuels.
. After lighting the fire do not discard the match until it is cold. Douse it with water to be sure.
. Keep campfires small and do not let them get out of hand. The suggested size is 2', X2', X2'.
. Stack extra firewood upwind and away from the fire.
Stay safe around fires Learn about cooking over a campfire