Keep Campfires Safe For Kids

As the Easter break and school holidays are rapidly approaching, hopefully with some cooler weather, many families will be planning a camping trip. It is timely therefore to warn parents of the dangers for young children around campfires.

Apart from the obvious need to always supervise children near a fire, parents should be aware of the correct way to extinguish a campfire. Sand or dirt should not be used, as heat up to 100 degrees Celsius can remain for over eight hours and children have been burnt stepping on the site of a campfire.

A fire put out with a bucket of water will retain little or no heat after a period of 10 minutes.

If burns occur, they should be treated with cold running water and medical assistance sought immediately.

Ambulance Officers have reported some difficulties in locating patients at camp sites when 000 (triple zero) has been called. If assistance is required at a site at Inskip Point or Teewah Beach, it would be helpful if your vehicle hazard lights could be turned on.

This will help the Officers to quickly identify the correct location of the emergency either in the daytime or at night.

Cheryl Zunic

Cooloola Coast Local Ambulance Committee