Tents are a great way to spend time outdoors, but they can be dangerous if not used properly.
There have been many reports of tents catching on fire and burning down campsites. If you’re camping with kids or pets, this is especially scary!
To avoid the risk of a tent fire, make sure your tent has plenty of ventilation and that it’s away from any flammable objects like trees or bushes. You should also keep matches and lighters out of reach from children while camping.
In this article, we are going to discuss some more ways you can protect yourself in case of a fire, so keep reading!
Are Camping Tents Flammable
Most camping tents are not considered flammable, but it depends largely on the type of material. When camping, take precautions to avoid the risk of an unfortunate accident.
Fireproof And Fire Resistant: The Key Differences
There isn’t much difference between fireproof and fire-resistant if you want the truth. Although people believe fireproof materials prevent fires, this isn’t the case.
Although most tents are designed to make fire less intense, nothing is 100% reliable. If the fire gets hot enough, it can burn through anything.
However, we discuss some ways to reduce the fire risk below.
How To Prevent Tent Your Tent From Catching Fire: 6 Methods
Keep A Fire Extinguisher On Standby
When camping, make sure you always have a fire extinguisher on standby. If there is any kind of emergency with your tent, this will help prevent an even bigger disaster.
Where you keep the fire extinguisher is also important. While you may think it’s a good idea to keep it in your car – think again! If a fire starts, that means you have to find your keys before you can take action.
And what if the keys are inside the tent? That means you’d need to go back into the heart of the fire, which is always a bad idea.
I recommend keeping your fire extinguisher inside your tent.
Otherwise, put it somewhere you can reach without jumping through hoops, like just outside your tent.
Fire Retardant Chemicals
Flame retardants are commonly used to slow down tent fires.
But what are they?
If you’ve ever seen a wildfire, you may have seen an airplane disperse a large red fluid over the area. These are flame retardant chemicals.
Most tents have this substance built-in, helping to protect and slow down fires.
The problem with these chemicals is they can be harmful. According to a Marine Environmental Research Institute study, they have been shown to cause cancer [1].
Therefore, some companies are starting to remove them from tents.
With that being said, you have to decide whether you want to take the risk with fire retardants.
Don't Block The Exits
Blocking your tent exit goes against all the rules of fire safety. However, that doesn’t stop most. Small and overlooked items like shoes can become an issue when a fire starts, so make sure everything is cleared.
You only need to trip over when trying to escape, and it could spell disaster.
Put A Knife Next To Your Sleeping Bag
By keeping a knife next to your sleeping bag, you’ll be able to quickly cut your way out of the tent if there is a fire. This will help you to escape quickly and avoid any severe injuries.
It also creates an opening for other people if the tent door is blocked or smothered by fire.
Put Out Your Campfire
You should always put out your campfire before sleeping in your tent. If the fire heats up too much, it can set your tent and the surrounding area on fire.
Not only does this pose risk to yourself, but also to others around you.
To help prevent this from happening in the first place, make sure your campfire is far enough away from your tent, or any tent for that matter!
Watch Out For Flammable Materials
The most flammable materials in a tent are usually fabrics like linen, cotton, and silk, and these materials can spread fire quickly.
Make sure to avoid these tent fabrics if you’re looking for something that’s flame-resistant.
So, which tent fabric will hold up best in a fire? It’s best to stick with nylon, acrylic, or polyester.
As a side note, check the material of your personal belongings in your tent, as these could be more flammable than the tent itself!
The Steps To Take If Your Tent Catches Fire
If your tent catches fire, the first thing you should do is grab your fire extinguisher. If you implement the tips in this article, it should be located somewhere within the tent.
After getting your fire extinguisher, put out the fire as soon as possible before it gets any bigger.
If it’s already too big, just try to get everybody out as soon as possible by making lots of noise. Once you’ve got to safety, call 911.
How do you make a tent fireproof?
I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s impossible to make your tent 100% fireproof. The best you can do is choose the right tent and follow the steps listed above, such as bringing a fire extinguisher and putting out your campfire before bed.
Before We Part
So there you have it! All the information you need to plan your next camping trip. We hope you enjoy your time outdoors and stay safe while doing so!
Remember, you can prevent a fire 90% of the time by following the steps outlined in this article. However, it’s still good to be prepared for that 10%, right!? Because there is no such thing as a 100% fireproof tent!