Memorial Day weekend is seen as the unofficial kick off to summer, and it is usually celebrated with cookouts, swimming, and evening fires. The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance is reminding everyone to celebrate safely by following basic safety tips and precautions. 

The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance or (IFSA) offers some tips to follow for outdoor burn prevention. Supervise children and pets while the campfire/fire pit is burning.  Make a 3-foot kids free zone around the campfire. You should always have a hose, bucket of water, or shovel with dirt or sand nearby to put the fire out. Apply water to all coals or remaining flames, to make sure that there is no heat, glow, or flame remaining, and never leave a fire unattended, even for a short period of time.

If you are grilling, closely monitor food cooking on the grill. Turn the grill off promptly when done cooking, and let it cool before putting it back in it’s location. Grills should be at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including deck railings, overhanging branches, and homes.  If you use starter fluid to ignite coals, only use charcoal starter fluid.  

With campfire safety, check for any restrictions in your neighborhood before starting an open-air fire, recreational fire, or outdoor cooking fire. Fires such as bonfires or yard waste fires should be at least 50 feet from anything that can burn.  Campfires should be at least 25 feet away from any structure that can burn and only use fire pits outdoors and at least 10 feet away from anything that can burn.

To learn more about outdoor fire safety, visit www.IFSA.org.