Around Town Woodland

Camping Safety

Roasting marshmallows on a stick, hot dogs on the barbeque, and fishing in a lake. Does any of this sound like fun to you? Camping is a great recreational activity that families can enjoy together. Whether you prefer camping with a pop-up trailer, RV, or getting closer to nature in a tent, the Fire Department would like to share with you some camping safety tips.

Keep your family safe while cooking in the great outdoors:

• Some national and state forests do not allow the use of camping stoves during high fire danger periods. Check to make sure that camping stoves, barbeques and campfires are allowed in your camp area.

• Do not use camp cooking appliances when it is rainy or windy.

• Make sure you have adequate lighting while cooking and preparing foods.

• Never leave your cooking area unattended while appliances are turned on or fires are lit.

• Wait until all cooking appliances have cooled before leaving your cooking area.

• Keep a 3-foot childfree zone around your cooking area.

• Keep your cooking area clean and free of clutter, especially from items like paper towels, paper plates, and other flammable materials.

• Keep dry leaves and pine needles away from your cooking area.

• Always include potholders, lids for pots and pans, and a fire extinguisher with your camping supplies. An ABC fire extinguisher is the most preferred.

• Never use water on a grease fire or try to move a pan with burning oil. If you feel you are able to hold a lid with an oven mitt and gently place it over the pan on fire without getting injured, do so. Do not move the pan until it has cooled.

Camping safety tips:

• Purchase tents that are UL listed as flame retardant.

• Set up tents away from the campfire area.

• Use flashlights or battery powered lanterns inside tents or other enclosed spaces.

• Always build your campfire down wind, away from your tent.

• Build your campfire in an area that is free of vegetation.

• Make sure your fire pit is deep enough to keep the fire contained and that there are rocks surrounding the pit.

• Store lighter fluid away from tents and campfires.

• Always put out a campfire before going to bed or leaving the campsite.

• To extinguish the fire, cover it with dirt or pour water over it.

• Keep pets out of the cooking area.

• Keep pets away from campfires.

• Always carry water and some food while hiking.

• Do not park cars or RVs over dry vegetation, this can cause a fire.

• Be aware of your surroundings while smoking.

The Fire Department would like to wish you and your family a fire-safe and fun camping season! If you have any questions please call your local Fire Department.