Bonfire Tips for You and Your Kids

From camping trips to backyard marshmallow roasting, bonfires have always been a popular way to enjoy the early fall season.

And while a cozy fire can be a fun experience for the whole family, it can also be risky when you involve kids and teens. As much as we’re enthralled by a bonfire, it’s also important to follow general guidelines to avoid burn injuries or smoke inhalation.

Pediatrician Purva Grover, MD, talks about the best ways to keep your kids safe during a bonfire.

Keeping you and your kids safe around a bonfire

When it comes to sharing a bonfire outside with your family, there are some clear green and red flags to be aware of.

Check your local weather advisory

Before you even get the logs or propane out, it’s important to check what kind of weather you can expect. The direction and strength of the wind can really be the deciding factor in how you plan your bonfire.

“You want to check not only because of possible inclement weather. You also really need to check for wind direction, or if there’s any fire advisory in your community,” advises Dr. Grover. “Those are extremely important things because that can really determine if it’s even safe to have this event or not.”

Have a safety plan in place

Fire is … well, fire. By its nature, fire can be extremely unpredictable. That’s why you’ll feel much more at ease and relaxed if you’re prepared for any fire-related emergencies.

“Making sure you have a plan to douse the fire out or to stop the flames immediately is extremely important,” says Dr. Grover.

This means, make sure you have one or more of the following:

• Free-flowing water and/or a fire extinguisher. If a bonfire gets out of control, time is of the essence. “You need to have ways to extinguish a fire quickly, so be sure to either have a class A or class B fire extinguisher,” says Dr. Grover. “Otherwise, you want to make sure you have access to a water hose or large amounts of water.”
• Sand. It may be a good idea to use sand as your bonfire’s base, as it will help regulate the fire’s heat.“Even if you’re not using sand at the base, you want to have access to it in case a fire gets out of hand. It can help douse the flames very quickly,” she adds.
• A cell phone for calling 911. We all enjoy unplugging in the great outdoors. But if you’re at a remote campground, you should still make sure you have a phone or emergency personnel nearby.

Besides having a plan to put out a fire quickly, be sure to also have a fire-aid kit or bandages nearby to treat a minor burn from any stray ashes or in case your kid falls and scrapes an elbow or knee.

Keep a safe distance from the fire

When choosing the ideal spot for your fire, having enough breathing room is key (literally). You don’t want the fire pit to be too close to your house or tent. This may depend on what state you’re in, but the general rule is to have your fire 21 feet away from your home.

The fire you’re building will warm you even from 3 feet away — which is the distance Dr. Grover recommends between children, pets and flammable furniture and the fire pit. When prepping your kids for the bonfire, lay out a clear “safety zone” that they need to stay within (you could even extend it beyond 3 feet).

“My rule is 6 feet, but that’s my personal agenda, just because sometimes you need a little bit more leeway,” she says. “Also, avoid bringing any wooden chairs or other flammable furniture too close to the fire either.”

It’s also important that kids aren’t playing anywhere near the fire. This means no running, skipping or horseplay around the flames. If your kids are doing other things — like tossing around a football or pelting each other with foam dart guns — have them stay 20 feet away from the fire.

Have someone watching kids at all times

You’re always around when your kids are swimming right? Well, the same rules apply. Having fun around the fire also requires a certain amount of adult supervision. Even if you think your tweens and teens can take care of themselves (and they’ll definitely try to convince you of that), Dr. Grover still stresses the importance of having at least one person keep an eye on kids, no matter how old they are.

“It doesn’t matter what age, what sensibility and maturity level they are because accidents can happen,” she notes. “And when accidents happen, you need someone with a cool level head around to take care of things. That’s something which children are just not prepared for.”

Don’t wear highly flammable materials

Especially for young children who are eager to wear their princess or superhero costumes, it’s important to have somewhat of a dress code when gathering around the fire. Certain materials like nylon, polyester and linen tend to be more flammable than fabrics like wool.

Also: shoes! Be sure you and your kids are wearing appropriate footwear — this means no open-toed shoes that leave toes vulnerable to flying embers.

Avoid throwing things into the fire

Especially with kids around, tossing things into the fire may end up more dangerous than fun really quickly.

Sometimes, the harm can come from a piece of the item flying back from the fire. But Dr. Grover says that simply being too close to the flames when throwing something in can be an invitation for an accident.

Some common items that get thrown into the fire that could cause accidents include:

• Plastic bottles.
• Bottle caps.
• Empty or half-full soda cans.

Of course, kids seem to be fascinated by throwing things into fires. So, if you’d like, Dr. Grover suggests having a designated “throw basket” with items that are safe for kids to throw into the fire. (You’ll still need to supervise here!) This teaches your kids that they can throw certain things — like twigs or marshmallows — into the fire, but everything else is off limits.

But keep in mind: While items like paper, garbage or cardboard can seem harmless enough, they can still throw off embers that can cause a minor burn, especially if a child is getting too close.

“Make it clear that they are not allowed to throw anything in the fire unless it’s approved by the parents,” says Dr. Grover.

When to seek emergency care

If you do hear a sudden “Ouch!” from someone getting burned, don’t panic. Be sure to immediately investigate the wound and where it happened. If your child got hit with a tiny ember on their hand, you may not need to call anyone. According to Dr. Grover, a small burn can be soothed with some running cold water (no ice!).

But if it’s a more serious burn, or your child is still in pain, you should call a healthcare provider immediately.

“Anything outside of your regular kitchen burn, you need to seek care,” states Dr. Grover.

Don’t leave a fire unattended

Whether you’re at a campsite or in your backyard, never turn your back on a live fire. Throughout your party or event, make sure someone is always watching it closely. And when it’s time to call it a night, make sure it’s really out. Even leaving the tiniest flame going can set nearby things on fire.

“Never leave a fire unattended,” warns Dr. Grover. “You have to make sure that the fire has come to a complete, full stop before you leave that property or that fire.”

Even though fire can pose many risks, there’s a safe way to enjoy a bonfire with the family. The key thing to remember is to always pay attention — to your kids and the fire — and have safety precautions in place.