Campsites and Fires: What to Do and What Not To Do

In a world dominated by technological devices, fun has been paired up with Bluetooth, touch screens and unlimited video gaming. But these fragile gadgets can never come close to the thrills given by an adventure in the wilderness, with campfires, boating and hiking. Anyway, thanks to the many developments, camping is not as rugged as it used to be. There are many facilities and gadgets, so even fresher have no trouble with the camping basics. The classic camper was the one who made fires with just two stones, but no more rough standards. Thanks to the age of ready-made, fordable tents and safe, easy to use fire pits, camping just became a breeze.

Campsites and Fire safety

No campsite is complete without a fire and cooking delicious meals over flames. But due to the obvious risks involved in having a fire in a crowded place full of combustible items, all sites do not allow fires. So make sure you select a site that suits your plans and take the necessary things with you. Whether they allow them or not, there will be fire and safety signs to let you know what you should do and where you should go in case a fire does break out. If you're taking the kids with you, there's no better opportunity to teach them about campfires and introduce them to the safety rules regarding cooking on and looking after a fire.

Find the Right Spot

If you are using a fire, there are many things to consider before you even light it. Remember that a campsite can be crowded with people, kids and pets so take all the safety measures necessary. The first thing to consider is finding the right spot. Make sure your fire pit is far away from your own and other's tents, especially vehicles and play areas for kids. Once you have started the campfire you will not be able to pick it up and move it. So make sure to pick the right spot first and make sure there are no dry leaves and twigs from the surrounding area in case sparks fall and light it up. Don't leave any flammable fuels unprotected even for a few seconds.

Choose the Best Fire Pit

There are many types of fire pits that you can take and you need to weigh your choices with what you need. Some are large, bulky and designed to be compact, but they are safe, especially for larger fires. There are smaller and more portable ones that use fuels instead of wood. A good choice would be a cast iron fire pit which is safer as it can contain the fire safely, even overnight. A gas fire pit is easy to use as there is no wood involved but there is no smoke from this artificial fire, and no mess to clean. These units require propane or natural gas. For a traditional campfire, there's nothing better than using wood, which gives a tremendous amount of heat, making these especially good for cooler seasons.

Put It Out Properly

Always have a bucket of water or sand nearby and never leave any kids nearby unattended. Once you're done with the fire, make sure to dump all the ashes into a small hole in the ground and pour as much water over them to make sure they are fully extinguished. Never take a campfire or barbecue tray inside of your tent or even close to the entrance, even if it rains. This is because even after they are out, they still release carbon monoxide for many hours. In case it does rain, you should cover and protect your fuel.