Campers reminded to be careful with campfires

WHITE LAKE, Mich. (WXYZ) - Campers getting ready to pitch their tent and lit a campfire should be mindful of safety concerns before they leave for the holiday weekend.

“Make sure that you keep an eye on your kids,” said Tom Bissett, the park supervisor for the Pontiac Lake Recreation Area. “One of the biggest causes of burns with children is just being near a campfire unattended.”

Bissett advises campers to keep a bucket of water and a coal shovel by the campfire. He also says campers should keep fuel, tents and anything flammable at least ten feet from the fire.

Once campers are done with the fire, he recommends they douse it with a bucket of water. Hot coals or ashes should never be left unattended.

“This summer, has been a very, very dry summer,” said Bissett. “You never know what the weather is going to do and how the winds are going to change. If the wind comes up and kicks up some ashes it can set the nearby brush on fire.”

The change in Michigan’s fireworks law means campers can now possess, but they cannot light them on the campgrounds.

“We’ve seen a lot more fireworks being shot into the air than we have in the past, but there’s always been a small learning curve around the 4th of July,” Bissett told 7 Action News.

For additional information on campfire safety, visit the Michigan DNR’s website.