Fire Safety For Kids

This is a post I have been wanting to write for a while.

A couple of years ago, we almost had a major incident while camping. We were camping with our Bigfoot investigation team up in the mountains. Actually in a spot that Matt Moneymaker, from Finding Bigfoot, is fairly fond of himself. This place is way up in the mountains and several miles of rough driving off the main road. It isn't the place to have an emergency- it would be hard to get out of and hard for an ambulance to get into, which is the reason we only camp there with our team- more safety in numbers.

We had a bonfire and one of our team members was cooking some wild hog in the ground under the fire, which makes a wonderful roast. The fire had simmered down a good bit- just a few flames and mostly coals. It was just a fire with a pot hanger teepee over it. Uncle Brian had come out to visit a bit because he loves fishing in this spot. He had some surprises in his pack for the kids, so every time he went to his pack, the kids were right on his heels (but they are anyway). One time, Koda wasn't watching what she was doing, but she was just walking good and was about to walk through the fire.

I saw her and there was no way I could get to her in time, as we were sitting in a circle away from the fire. Uncle Brian turned around, ran through the coals, and grabbed her- handing her to me before crashing into something. That could have been a complete and total nightmare. Unfortunately, my mom radar was down and I didn't catch that danger. I don't know why- I am always on high alert for danger.

1. Talk to your kids about fire and the dangers involved. Have them roast a weenie on the fire and explain that fire will do that to your skin.

2. Remind them that there should be no running around the fire, it is too easy to slip. Our rule is no running at night unless they are in the fence. You never know when a snake could be around, or a limb that no one sees that could be tripped over.

3. When you are away from home camping or with a group of people at night, have your kids wear glow bracelets. Not only can you see them in a split second, but you can also tell how close they are to the fire.

4. Place a barrier around the fire- either by using a fire pit, like we do in the backyard, or a portable when away from home. This could be building one with rocks, bringing along a portable fire pit, or a number of things. We have a small puppy playpen that is actually for Koda- we can put it around a fire if need be, but I can also use it to keep her away from the fire by putting her inside it. (This also helps me keep track of her when I have my hands full because she likes to follow animals and is very easily distracted- I have had to catch her when she's tried to wander off on more than one occasion). If you have a special needs child or a toddler or younger, I suggest investing in a puppy playpen- they are not expensive, store in a very little amount of space, can be used inside or outside, and have a ton of safety uses for your little one.

5. I believe getting kids involved in projects and chores not only teaches them responsibility, but also to respect nature, people, and the world around them. Building a campfire or cooking fire is no different. Our kids always get involved when making the fire. They help gather wood, kindling, and make sure the fire pit is cleaned out. They also get to watch and learn how to start a fire. This makes takes the curiosity away, so they do not try to do it themselves, and teaches them that fire really does burn and that if it can burn that wood, it can burn those woods in our backyard too. The kids also have play campfires because they love to pretend survival, camping, and Naked & Afraid. They are not curious about fire like some kids and we do not fear Tbomb or Koda trying to start one on their own. Plus, if they ask to build a fire, we take the time to have a fire that night.

These are the things that I have learned over the years of being a mom. I hope they help you prepare your family for some safe fun this summer!