Campfire Safety in the UK: A Family-Friendly Guide for UKSN Members

There’s something truly magical about gathering around a crackling campfire. Whether you’re sharing stories under the stars, toasting marshmallows, or keeping warm after a long day of adventure, campfires are at the heart of many UKSN camps and Charter meetups. But with great warmth comes great responsibility.

Campfire safety is crucial, especially when children are involved. A moment’s inattention can turn a fun night into an emergency. That’s why, as part of the UKSN community, it’s essential that we all uphold a strong culture of safe firecraft, ensuring our camps remain enjoyable, secure, and respectful to the environment.

This guide explores how to build, manage, and extinguish a campfire responsibly, with special attention to keeping both adults and children safe. Whether you’re an experienced woodsman or new to bushcraft, there’s something here for everyone.

Why Campfire Safety Matters

Fire is a powerful tool. It provides heat, light, and a means to cook food, but it's also unpredictable if mishandled. Every year in the UK, fires started in the countryside, often unintentionally cause damage to property, harm wildlife, and pose a risk to human life. At UKSN, we promote responsible outdoor living, and fire safety plays a huge part in that.

For families, especially, teaching children to respect fire rather than fear it is key. Empowering them with knowledge under supervision helps them develop essential life skills while reducing the risk of accidents.

Choosing the Right Spot for Your Campfire

The first step in campfire safety is choosing an appropriate location. Whether you’re on private land (with permission), attending a UKSN camp, or wild camping where legally permitted, always follow the “Leave No Trace” principle.

Key tips for selecting a safe campfire site:

• Distance is safety: Always build your fire at least 10 feet away from tents, shelters, trees with low branches, dry grass, or anything that could catch alight.

• Check the ground: Choose a flat, clear patch of soil or gravel. Avoid peat or moss-covered areas, which can smoulder unnoticed underground.

• Wind direction: Be mindful of wind conditions. A sudden gust can carry embers or cause flames to spread.

• Natural firebreaks: If possible, use existing fire pits or create a fire ring using rocks.
  

Never light fires near cliffs or ridges where winds are unpredictable. At UKSN events, fire locations are often pre-approved by the site lead or Charter Leader. Always check before lighting up.

Building a Safe Campfire

Building a fire is a skill that should be approached with care. It’s an opportunity to pass on knowledge to younger members in a safe, structured environment.

Materials checklist:

• Tinder (dry leaves, grass, or cotton wool)

• Kindling (small twigs or feather sticks)

• Fuel (larger branches and logs)

• Fire steel or matches in a waterproof container

• Water bucket or sand for emergency extinguishing

The teepee method is often the safest and easiest for beginners. Place your tinder in the centre, surround it with kindling in a conical shape, and gradually add larger wood as the fire builds. Keep the fire modest in size, there’s no need for a bonfire.

Supervision and Involvement: Teaching Children Fire Awareness

One of the best ways to keep children safe is by involving them in the process under supervision. When kids are allowed to help in controlled ways, they become more aware of the dangers and responsibilities.

Age-appropriate ways to involve children:

• Younger children (5–9): Help collect tinder or twigs. Talk about what makes a fire safe or unsafe.

• Tweens (10–12): Assist with building the fire structure and understanding fire triangle (heat, fuel, oxygen).

• Teens (13+): Learn how to safely ignite and manage a small fire with supervision.

Always have a designated adult keeping an eye on the fire, even when it appears to be under control. Teach children to stay at least one metre away from the flames and never leave the fire unattended.

Campfire Behaviour: Keeping Everyone Safe

A campfire is not a playground. Set firm boundaries from the start and ensure everyone knows the rules.

Essential rules around the fire:

• No running or rough play near the fire area.

• No throwing objects into the flames (especially cans, plastic, or glass).

• Don’t poke the fire with sticks unless part of an instructed activity.

• Long hair tied back, and no loose or flammable clothing near the flames.

• No food roasting without adult supervision.

Use logs or stones to create a perimeter that visually defines the fire zone. For younger children, this visual cue is an excellent tool for maintaining safe distances.

Fire Safety Equipment to Keep On Hand

Even with all precautions, accidents can happen. That’s why every UKSN member should have essential fire safety gear at camp:

• Water bucket or jerrycan close to the fire

• Fire blanket in your kit bag

• Burn gel or first aid kit with burn dressings

• Shovel or spade for burying embers or controlling spread

• Whistle or signal to alert others if there's an emergency

Keep gear in a place that’s easy to reach but not in the way of foot traffic.

Cooking Over a Campfire

One of the best parts of bushcraft and camping is preparing food over an open flame. But it also comes with its own set of hazards.

Tips for safe outdoor cooking:

• Use tripods or grills designed for fire cooking to keep pots stable.

• Never leave food cooking unattended.

• Keep a lid or water nearby to cool flare-ups from dripping fat.

• Supervise children when they roast marshmallows or bread. Teach them to use long sticks and avoid leaning in.

After cooking, dispose of food waste properly. Scattered food scraps can attract wildlife, leading to unsafe situations.

Extinguishing the Fire Properly

A campfire is only safe when it's fully extinguished. It’s not enough to let it die down.

Steps for proper fire extinguishing:

1. Let the fire burn down until only embers remain.

2. Pour water slowly over the embers. Stir with a stick or shovel.

3. Continue adding water and stirring until the hissing sound stops.

4. Touch the ashes carefully with the back of your hand. They should be cold.

5. Scatter the ashes over a wide area or bury them, if permitted by local rules.

Never leave a campsite without making absolutely sure the fire is out. It’s everyone’s responsibility to leave the land as we found it, or better.

Respecting the Environment

At UKSN, our ethos includes respecting nature and leaving no trace. Fires can cause long-term damage if not managed responsibly.

• Use established fire pits where available.

• Don’t burn green wood or foliage.

• Avoid lighting fires in dry, sensitive, or high-risk environments.

• Never cut down trees for fuel. Use deadfall or bring your own wood where required.

Bushcraft Alternatives to Open Fires

Sometimes, a traditional fire might not be appropriate or allowed—especially during dry seasons or in protected woodlands. In such cases, there are alternatives:

• Portable wood stoves: Contained flame, easy to control, and leave minimal trace.

• Gas stoves: Ideal for cooking without smoke or open flame risk.

• Battery-powered lights: Great for mood lighting without fire risk.

UKSN encourages creativity and sustainability, and these tools help maintain access to nature for everyone.

Conclusion: Making Fire Safety a Shared Value

Campfire safety isn’t just about avoiding accidents, it’s about creating a culture of awareness, responsibility, and respect for the outdoors. As a UKSN member, you’re part of a wider family that values shared learning, cooperation, and preparedness.

Every time we light a fire, we have a chance to pass on essential skills, create lasting memories, and model best practice for the next generation. Whether you're huddled around a campfire with your Charter group or teaching your children their first firecraft skills, remember: safety first, adventure always.

Stay safe, stay warm, and see you at the next camp.

Interested in learning more firecraft skills or joining a UKSN Charter? Join UKSN and login to the UKSN Members Portal to find upcoming events and meet like-minded adventurers near you.

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