You have probably been hearing fire safety tips your whole life. The moment you tell anyone that you will be building a fire on your camping trip, they probably have advice about fire safety to give you.
However, you can never be too safe when it comes to protecting yourself and your family or friends while camping outdoors. Here are some precautions you should be taking that may be forgotten about if someone doesn’t speak up. Here are a few basic fire safety tips that today’s modern camper should know about.
Build Away From The Camper
You want to set up your campfire far away from any tents, of course, so that the fire doesn’t blow toward them. Also be careful about how close your camper is to the fire.
You might think your camper is pretty tough, but the plastic and even the metal can melt or warp if they are too close to a high heat source like a campfire. These kinds of fires can get very hot after a while, and the breeze can blow them to places you don’t want them to go.
Make sure your camper is set up at least 200 feet from the fire for safety purposes. You also want to keep any propane tanks that come with your camper or that you use for the fire to be kept covered and completely protected from the fire.
Clear a Radius
Whenever you build a fire, you want to make sure the ground around it is cleared too. Keep all sticks and leaves far away from it, as well as any flammable belongings you may have, such as clothes, towels and shoes.
Every so often, be sure to clear the area again and make certain that nothing has blown over near the fire. It’s good to keep a 50-foot radius of objects from the fire, and you can use a rake or a broom to help sweep the area clean.
This is important, because winds can blow the fire in different directions and make it easier for it to catch on fire anything that you have stored near the fire.
Check Plugs & Cords Before Your Trip
Nowadays, a lot of campers will take their cell phones, tablets, computers and more on their trip and hook their electronics up to the camper or use their electronics by the campfire.
This comes with fire risks as well. You want to check any and all outlets and cords for signs of wear, dirt, water or malfunction before using them. If you are not sure how to fix any problems you find, have a licenced electrician do it for you.
It is always best to check these kinds of electrical equipment before you go on your camping trip rather than to try to deal with them while you are out in the woods.