Translations:AY Honors/Camp Craft/Answer Key/38/en

Fire Safety

Locate the fire in a safe place. It should be clear for 10 feet (3 meters) all around.
Do not light a fire beneath overhanging branches or tents, shelters etc.
Do not use accelerants, such as lighter fluid, gasoline, kerosene, etc. Learn to light a fire without these.
Put the fire out completely before leaving it. If it's too hot to put your hands in the ashes, it's not sufficiently out. Douse it down with water, turn the coals with a shovel, and be sure to extinguish every coal and ember.
Do not build a fire on top of flammable material such as grass or leaves.
Cut away the sod (keep it moist so it stays alive, and replace it before your leave), and clear away the duff and litter.
Keep fire extinguishing supplies handy and near the fire. A bucket of water or sand, or a fire extinguisher are recommended.
Do not remove burning sticks from a fire.
Watch for embers that escape the fire pit and extinguish them immediately.
Wear proper footwear around a fire.
Be aware that paper, cardboard, and leaves create floating embers that rise out of the fire pit and may land dozens of yards away.
Do not light a fire when conditions are adverse (high winds, or drought conditions) or when fires are prohibited by law.

Axe Safety

Before chopping any wood, take a gentle practice swing to check that the axe will not catch on anything (such as an overhead branch).
Consider what will happen if you miss whatever you are chopping at - will you accidentally hit a finger? A foot? A bystander? Leave plenty of margin for error.
Make sure the axe head is firmly attached to the axe handle. If it is loose, you may tighten it by wetting the handle, by driving a hardwood wedge into the handle through the eye of the blade, or by rapping the axe handle vertically on a hard surface.
Keep bystanders away by one arms length plus two axe-lengths.
When handing someone an axe, present the handle to them rather than the blade.
Walk with the blade facing away from you.
Sheathe the axe when it is not in use.
Always maintain firm footing when using or carrying an axe.
Stop when you are tired and rest. Tired people are more prone to accidents and mistakes.

Poisonous Plants

Poison Ivy
Poison Oak

Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac all cause a rash when oils from the plant come into contact with the skin. The contact does not have to be direct - it can be transferred from the plant to another item, and then to the skin. Tools, pets, and clothing can all transfer the oil from the plant to the skin. The best defense against this rash is to be able to recognize these plants, stay alert, and avoid contact. If you do come into contact with any of them, the first thing you should do is immediately wash the affected area with soap and water. This will, in many cases, prevent the rash from developing. If contact went undetected and a rash does develop, apply Calamine lotion or a cortizone cream to the affected area. If the rash develops on the face or genitals, seek medical attention.