Recently, my young son had an unfortunate accident while we were camping at a nearby state park. While the adults were busy fishing, we decided to start a small fire to stay warm. The children were immediately drawn to the flames—there’s something instinctual about fire that captivates us all. It’s beautiful, powerful, and possesses a certain magical quality that appeals to our very core. This is why we have so many fire safety campaigns; kids are naturally attracted to fire’s allure, which can be both destructive and life-giving.
We constructed the fire meticulously, starting with tinder and building a sturdy structure around it. As we stacked larger logs around the edges, we sent the kids to gather sticks. When we finally lit the match, the fire began to crackle and dance, eliciting joy from the little ones.
They were eager to poke at the flames, so we encouraged them to collect more wood instead. We explained the principles of fire: the importance of kindling, logs, and coals. We taught them to stand back from the smoke and how to nurture a flame without extinguishing it. We even allowed them to roast marshmallows. However, we consistently reinforced the rule: “Don’t touch the fire.”
While my 3-year-old was content to watch from a safe distance, my 5-year-old was more adventurous. He edged too close, holding his marshmallow over the fire a bit too long. It was only a matter of time before he got burned, and soon enough, a piercing scream shattered the peaceful atmosphere. Clutching his hand, his eyes squeezed shut, he cried, “It…burnt…me!”
In response, I quickly plunged his hand into a cup of ice water, but the cries continued. Through his sobs, we learned that despite our numerous warnings, he had reached for a stick that looked safe but was, in fact, smoldering. Although it was a painful experience, the burn was minor—thankfully, it didn’t blister.
I felt a wave of relief. Yes, I was grateful he wasn’t severely injured, but more importantly, I was thankful he learned a crucial lesson about fire: it burns. If you’re not careful, you can get hurt.
For the remainder of the trip, he maintained a respectful distance from the flames. He continued to help gather wood and roast marshmallows, but he never again reached into the fire pit. I knew I could trust him to remember that lesson: fire is not to be trifled with. Some lessons must be learned through experience.
As parents, we often wish to shield our children from harm, but it’s impossible to wrap them in bubble wrap. They need to encounter challenges, to get hurt sometimes, and to learn resilience. Our role is to be there for them afterward, just like I was with the ice water.
In this case, the fire called to him, and he learned a valuable lesson about caution. For now, I’m grateful that the only consequence was a minor burn on his hand.
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Summary:
This article recounts a camping incident where a young boy learned a painful yet essential lesson about fire safety. Through a small burn, he gained a deeper understanding of the dangers of fire, highlighting the importance of learning through experience. As parents, we must allow our children to face challenges and be there to support them afterward.