News & Events

Safety and Campfires

When it comes to you and your family’s safety around campfires and beach bonfires, it is important that you take all safety precautions from the time that you start the fire through to the time that you extinguish it.

To start a fire, try not to use gasoline or lighter fluid. Once the fire is lit, keep it small, using three to four logs. Never rush to use additional logs that may fuel a larger fire than intended or necessary.

Tripping into fire pits or campfires is a major hazard, particularly for children. Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children burn prevention website suggests drawing a “safety circle” about 1.2 meters (four feet) away from the edge of the fire to provide kids with clear boundary.

Adults can also be at risk of tripping, especially when alcohol is consumed. A 2010 American research studied hospital admissions that were due to burns from campfires and beach bonfires. This study found that alcohol was a factor in more than 60% of adult injuries.

You should always keep a bucket of water (around 4 litres) nearby in case the fire gets out of control. You should always put out the fire with water as opposed to covering it with sand. When you cover fire with sand, it’ll retain its heat which can create a hazard even 24 hours later.