The Circle of Safety: A Campfire Burn Prevention Campaign Expanding Nationwide

Abstract

Camping is a popular family activity, especially during the spring and summer months. Campfires are a common activity among campers. They offer a source of recreation but also pose a risk for severe burns. The rising number of children with campfire burns seen at our institution triggered a quest for a campaign for the prevention of these injuries. A chart review was performed to study the characteristics and the circumstances of burn injuries of all children treated for campfire-related injuries over a 4-year period between 1997 and 2001. Thirty-two children sustained campfire-related burn injuries, with 88% being under the age of 7. The children had either fallen into the campfire or walked into simmering coals. All accidents would have been prevented if the children had kept a safe distance from the campfire. Normal growth charts were used to determine the average height of 7-year-old children as being 48 inches. A campaign was started to encourage families to keep a safe distance of 4 feet from their campfires by drawing a "circle of safety" with a stick on the ground 4 feet away from the fire.

Characteristics and trends of pediatric firepit burns: insights for prevention and safety

“…A popular safety strategy for outdoor fires is drawing or tracing a “circle of safety” to prevent children from coming within 4 feet of a fire. 8 For very young children, a child safety fence may be used instead. Strategies to prevent fire play in young children include assigning dangerous objects, such as matches, fuel, and the firepit structure itself, as “adult objects” that are not to be touched.…”

Penetrating neck injury in an isolated medical setting

“…Many outdoor recreation activities involving campfires occur in isolated environments, with limited access to medical and emergency services. In such situations, burns are an increasing concern, 6 either from falls or exploding containers 7 . This case demonstrates the additional risk of projectiles from exploding containers irresponsibly placed into fires.…”