Campfire and BBQ Safety: Preventing Burns This Summer
Open flames are a summer staple — campfires, BBQs, fire pits, and sparklers. Here is how to keep children safe and what to do when burns happen.
Burns are one of the most common summer injuries in children. Campfires, BBQ grills, fire pits, sparklers, and even sun-heated playground equipment can cause burns ranging from mild redness to injuries that require skin grafts. What makes burns particularly dangerous for young children is that their skin is thinner than adult skin — a temperature that causes a first-degree burn in an adult can cause a second- or third-degree burn in a toddler.
Prevention is always the first priority. But when a burn does happen, knowing the correct first aid — and just as importantly, knowing what not to do — can dramatically affect the outcome.
Understanding Burn Severity
| Degree | What It Looks Like | How It Feels | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| First degree (superficial) | Red skin, no blisters | Painful, tender to touch | Cool water, aloe vera, over-the-counter pain relief. Heals in 3-5 days. |
| Second degree (partial thickness) | Red, blistered, moist-looking skin | Very painful, especially when exposed to air | Cool water, sterile non-stick dressing, medical attention for burns larger than 3 cm or on face/hands/joints/genitals. |
| Third degree (full thickness) | White, brown, or charred skin. May look waxy or leathery | May be painless (nerve damage) — surrounding areas will be painful | Call 911. Do not cool with water unless actively on fire. Cover loosely with sterile dressing. This is a medical emergency. |
Burn First Aid: The Right Way
- Remove the child from the heat source and ensure your own safety first
- Cool the burn with cool running water for at least 20 minutes. Start immediately — the sooner cooling begins, the less tissue damage occurs. Use tap-temperature water, not ice or ice water
- Remove clothing and jewellery near the burn — but only if they are not stuck to the skin. Cut clothing away if needed. Remove rings, watches, and bracelets before swelling starts
- Cover the burn loosely with a sterile, non-stick dressing or clean cling wrap. This protects the wound from infection and reduces pain from air exposure
- Manage pain with age-appropriate ibuprofen or acetaminophen
When to Seek Medical Attention
- Any burn on a baby under 12 months
- Burns larger than the child’s palm
- Burns on the face, hands, feet, joints, or genitals
- Second-degree burns with blisters
- All third-degree burns (white, brown, or charred skin)
- Electrical or chemical burns
- Burns that wrap around a limb (circumferential burns)
- Any burn where you are unsure of the severity
Campfire Safety Rules
- Create a safety perimeter — mark a circle at least 2 metres (6 feet) from the fire that children must stay behind. Use chairs, logs, or a visible line in the dirt
- Active adult supervision at all times — never leave a campfire unattended when children are present
- Teach “stop, drop, and roll” — make it a game so children remember. If clothing catches fire: stop moving, drop to the ground, cover your face, and roll to smother the flames
- Keep water and a fire extinguisher nearby — a bucket of water or sand should always be within arm’s reach
- Extinguish completely — drown the fire with water, stir the ashes, and drown again. Coals can stay hot enough to cause serious burns for 12 hours or more after the fire is out
- No running near fires — enforce this rule consistently and explain why
BBQ and Grill Safety
- Establish a 1-metre (3-foot) “kid-free zone” around the grill
- Never leave a hot grill unattended
- Keep lighter fluid, matches, and lighters locked away from children
- After cooking, remember that grill surfaces stay dangerously hot for up to an hour
- Position the grill on a level surface, away from wooden fences, overhanging branches, and play areas
- Check propane connections for leaks before each use (apply soapy water and watch for bubbles)
Sparkler Safety
Sparklers burn at approximately 1,200°C (2,000°F) — hot enough to melt glass. They cause more injuries in children than any other type of firework in Canada.
- Children under five should never hold sparklers
- Older children should hold sparklers at arm’s length, away from the body and face
- Light one sparkler at a time
- Place used sparklers in a bucket of water immediately — they remain hot long after they stop sparking
- Wear closed-toe shoes (not sandals) when using sparklers
Hot Surface Burns: The Overlooked Risk
Metal playground slides, seatbelt buckles, and pavement can reach temperatures above 70°C (160°F) on a sunny day — hot enough to cause a contact burn in seconds. Before placing your child on any outdoor surface in summer, test it with the back of your hand for five seconds. If it is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your child’s skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I run cool water on a burn?
Cool running water should be applied to a burn for at least 20 minutes. This is longer than most people expect, but research consistently shows that 20 minutes of cooling significantly reduces tissue damage, pain, and scarring. Use clean, tap-temperature water — not ice, ice water, or frozen peas, which can cause further tissue damage. Cooling is most effective when started immediately but still provides benefit up to three hours after the burn.
Can I put aloe vera on a burn?
Aloe vera gel can be applied to minor first-degree burns (red skin with no blisters) after the initial 20-minute cooling period. It has mild anti-inflammatory and moisturising properties. However, do not apply aloe vera to second-degree burns with blisters or third-degree burns — these require sterile dressings and medical attention. Also avoid aloe products with added fragrances or alcohol, which can irritate burned skin.
At what temperature do sparklers burn?
Sparklers burn at approximately 1,200°C (2,000°F), which is hot enough to melt glass and certain metals. They cause more burn injuries in Canadian children than any other type of firework. Children under five should never handle sparklers. Older children should hold them at arm’s length, and used sparklers should be placed in a bucket of water immediately, as they remain dangerously hot after they stop sparking.
Should I pop burn blisters?
No. Burn blisters are the body’s natural sterile bandage — they protect the damaged skin underneath from infection and promote healing. Popping a blister exposes raw tissue to bacteria and significantly increases the risk of infection and scarring. If a blister breaks on its own, clean the area gently with soap and water, apply antibiotic ointment, and cover with a sterile non-stick dressing. See a doctor for large blisters or blisters on the hands, feet, or face.
When should a child’s burn be seen by a doctor?
Seek medical attention for any burn on a baby under 12 months, burns larger than the child’s palm, burns on the face, hands, feet, joints, or genitals, second-degree burns with blisters, all third-degree burns, electrical or chemical burns, burns that wrap around a limb, and any burn where you are unsure of the severity. When in doubt, it is always better to have a burn assessed by a healthcare professional.