CAMPING FIRE AND BURN SAFETY

- Main - Tents - Campfire Safety - Summer Cooking/Charcoal Grilling - Propane Gas Grills (Outdoors) - Using Propane Safely for Camping Print This Page

MAIN (Return to Top)

When camping, exercise special care with flammable liquids and any open flame near tents. Always take precautions.

TENTS (Return to Top)

• Use a tent of flame-retardant material.
• Use a flashlight or battery-operated lantern inside the tent.
• Heat or flame producing appliances (e.g., lights, heaters, cooking appliances) should never be used inside or close to a tent.
• Pitch your tent at least 15 feet upwind from grills and fire pits.
• Maintain at least a three-foot clear area, free of leaves, dry grass, pine needles, etc., around grills, fireplaces and tents.

CAMPFIRE SAFETY (Return to Top)

• Secure necessary permits to build a campfire.
• Observe all fire laws or ordinances and regulations.
• Scrape away grass and needles within a ten-foot diameter.
• Use a designated fire pit if available.
• Build your campfire or cooking fire downwind, far away from your tent.
• Have a supply of water or fire extinguisher readily available before building your fire.
• Small children should never build a fire, even with adult supervision.
• Adults should always supervise children around fires.
• Never use a flammable liquid (especially gasoline) to start a fire or hot coals. Explosions can result.
• When near campfires and grills, wear snug-fitting , tightly woven, or short sleeved garments.
• Never leave a fire unattended.
• Before you leave your campsite, make sure coals are thoroughly extinguished before disposal.
• An extinguisher of some type (e.g., shovel, bucket of water, fire extinguisher, etc.) is an essential piece of equipment for all campers.

SUMMER COOKING/CHARCOAL GRILLING (Return to Top)

• Keep children safely away from the barbecue fire.
• Never barbecue indoors. These devices are for outdoor use only.
• Parents should always keep a watchful eye on toddlers and children, and adults should be cautious of fire rings or pits.
• After applying charcoal lighter fluid to the coals, wait a minute before lighting the coals. This allows the concentration of explosive vapors to dissipate.
• Never use gasoline as a started fluid or accelerant for charcoal grills. Never add lighter/starter fluid to hot or even warm coals. An explosion can result.
• When using charcoal lighter/started fluid, place the container well away from the grill before lighting the coals.
• Be careful not to spill any fluid on your clothing or in the area surrounding the grill.
• Wear an insulated fire retardant barbecue mitt when lighting coals.
• Hot coals should always be disposed of in designated containers. Plenty of water should be poured on coals to completely extinguish the flames and cool the coals.
• If using a lighter to start the barbecue, remember the following:
  • Keep all lighters out of the reach of children.
  • Barbecue lighters (also called utility lighters or multi-purpose lighters) are made to be used by adults and are not safe for children.
  • Before you use it, read all the instructions that come with the barbecue lighter.
  • Buy a barbecue lighter that says "child-resistant" on the package.
  • If you use a lighter to start a gas grill, always turn on the lighter before you turn on the barbecue's gas or propane.

PROPANE GAS GRILLS (OUTDOORS) (Return to Top)

Most injuries occur when a grill has been left unattended for a period of time, or shortly after refilling the cylinder.

• Follow manufacturer's directions when using grills.
• When using a gas grill, check all connections leading from the fuel source to the inlet connection of the grill for leaks. Never use a match, candle or flame source to check for a gas leak. A leak can be detected by applying soapy water to the connections. If bubbles surface, there is a leak. If this happens, SHUT THE TANK VALVE OFF and tighten all connections. If the connections continue to leak, have a certified dealer check the grill before using it again.
• Open the valve only a quarter to one-half turn before lighting.
• Always shut off the valve to a fuel source when it is not in use.
• Never start a gas grill with the lid of the grill closed. The propane or natural gas may accumulate inside, and when ignited, could blow the lid off, causing injury.
• Have a fire extinguisher located in the grilling area.
• Always store full or empty propane tanks in a well-ventilated area away from the house or any habitable structure.
• Keep gas grills three feet away from building openings such as doors, windows, drier vents and air intake vents.
• Always store propane bottles away from potential sources of flames such as furnaces, water heaters or any appliance with a pilot light.
• Wear tight-fitting or short-sleeved clothing while cooking on a gas grill.
• Keep children and pets away from grilling areas at all times.
• Do not smoke around a propane grill.

USING PROPANE SAFELY FOR CAMPING (Return to Top)

• Do a pre-season check of your propane camping appliances (e.g., campers, stove, heater, and lantern) and check them periodically throughout the season.
• Use only approved appliances from an approved testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
• Make sure your camper is adequately ventilated.
• DO NOT store propane cylinders indoors or in temperatures above 120 degrees.
• Propane is heavier than air. The vapors will descend to the lowest point, for example, your basement.
• Only properly trained personnel should handle modifications or alterations to your propane system. Tampering with the system may cause a potentially dangerous situation.
• Never use an open flame to test for propane leaks.

The safety information enclosed was compiled from the best sources available to us. The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance and authors cannot assume any liability for its effectiveness in every emergency situation.