How to Monitor Children at a Bonfire

A spectacular bonfire can be an awe-inspiring experience for a small child. It can also inspire reckless and unsafe behavior, which may result in an injury or even a tragedy. By taking the time to ensure your children's safety at a bonfire celebration, and by explaining the rules beforehand, you can guarantee that a fantastic time is had by all.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Sit down with your children before the bonfire takes place and review all of the safety rules beforehand. Explain the potential hazards of bonfires, and stress the consequences of careless or irresponsible behavior, such as setting fires outside of the firepit, or getting too close to the bonfire itself.
2. Assign an older child as a buddy to younger children in order to monitor behavior during a bonfire. Ensure that the older child knows all of the rules and regulations that have been set for the bonfire. Instruct the buddy that at no time should any small child be left alone or unsupervised while the fire is burning.
3. Check the firepit thoroughly before the bonfire is lit. While it may sound crazy, some children have actually crept into the logs and branches of a bonfire, thinking it may be a teepee or fort, only to be discovered after the fire is set.
4. Monitor your children by keeping a running count of all who are attending the bonfire celebration and have regular roll calls to ensure that everyone is in a safe area at all times.
5. Draw a line in the area surrounding the firepit, and instruct the children not to cross that boundary. Many children respond more to visual cues than to verbal instructions and merely showing the line to a child will be the easiest way to convey your point.
6. Stay vigilant about monitoring children during the bonfire. Don't get caught up in the festivities, or be hypnotized by the flames. Remember that it is your job to keep everyone safe at all times and that can only happen if you remain attentive at all times.
7. Keep children away from the firepit even after the bonfire has been doused. Coals and embers in the ground can remain hot for hours and can still burn the fingers of curious youngsters.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow each of the older children attending the bonfire to act as a safety monitor. This position should include reporting other children who are not conforming to the safety rules.

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