For a safe outdoor fire:

• Build it a safe distance from anything flammable
• Don't use accelerants, like gasoline, to start it
  or freshen a dying fire
• Don't start it in a strong wind, and be sure to
  check all DNR restrictions
• Supervise children at all times
• When finished with your fire, douse it completely
  with water. If not completely extinguished, fires
  can stay hot for up to 24 hours.

Build a better fire

• Start small, with tinder (dead dry plants and grasses) and kindling (small dry sticks)
• Arrange kindling and logs like a log cabin or teepee will ensure good airflow
• Good airflow leads to naturally controlled fire growth
• After the fire is lit, add logs from smallest to largest
• Starting a fire is an adult's job, always keep an eye on children around any fire

Accelerants were never meant to be used to start fires, and they cause a fire to be unpredictable and uncontrollable.

Never use these accelerants on a fire:

• Gasoline
• Kerosene
• Butane
• Propane
• Aerosols
• Camping fuel

Cooking on a Grill

• Find a safe spot to cook, and never grill inside
  a porch or garage
• Do not allow kids to play nearby
• Once your grill is started, never add more lighter fluid
• Never leave the grill unattended while cooking
• Use long-handled cooking tools
• Have a fire extinguisher on hand

Cooking Over an Open Fire

• Find a safe spot to cook, away from anything flammable
• Do not allow kids to play nearby
• For the most consistent heat, let the fire burn down
• Never leave the fire unattended while cooking
• If you're frying, watch out for grease splatter
• If possible, use long-handled cooking tools

After the Meal

When you're done cooking, it's important to put the fire out properly so the area can cool as quickly as possible. Remember, even if the meal is long over, coals can stay hot for up to 24 hours.

• Open all grill vents, and allow the coals to cool thoroughly for at least 48 hours
• Keep children away from grilling/cooking spot until you know it has cooled
• If disposing of hot coals, place them in an appropriate container (usually it will be marked), or wrap them thoroughly with aluminum foil and place them in a metal garbage can that does not contain flammable or combustible materials

Enjoying Wintertime Outdoors

• Dress in layers and keep your clothing dry
• Wear mittens instead of gloves, fingers are
  warmer together
• Drink responsibly in cold weather - alcohol
  creates a sensation of warmth, but it actually
  decreases core body temperature
• Bundle up your kids, and monitor how long
  they're outside
• On the very cold days limit your time outdoors
• If you notice any symptoms, like tingling and burning,
  get out of the cold immediately

Stages of Frostbite

First Degree Frostbite:

A mild form of frostbite in which your skin turns red and feels really cold.

Second Degree Frostbite:

In this stage the reddened skin will turn white or very pale. Upon warming, blisters may appear. This results in some tissue and nerve damage.

Third Degree Frostbite:

Affecting all layers of the skin, the area will turn black and hard as tissue dies.

First Aid for Frostbite

• Avoid rubbing the area, especially with snow.
• Don't walk on frostbitten feet or use a frostbitten hand
• Avoid thawing the affected area if you are far from help or if there is a chance of refreezing
• If you are in a permanent shelter and can thaw a frostbitten area:
• Immerse area for 20-45 minutes in tepid water (same temperature as a hot tub), never use hot water
• As it thaws, it will turn pink or bright red and sensation may return
• Do not put salves or creams on frostbite
• Protect area from refreezing and seek
  medical attention

Keeping Safe in Your Ice House

• Have a working carbon monoxide detector in
  your ice house
• Make sure your heating equipment and vent pipes are in good condition
• Keep a window cracked for ventilation
• Do not use fuel-burning equipment in your ice house
• Never run a generator or other gasoline-powered engine outside an open window, door, or vent where exhaust can come in

Early Symptoms of CO Poisioning

Because CO is odorless, colorless, and otherwise undetectable to the human senses, you may not know that you've been exposed. The initial symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu:

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness

Treating Carbon Monoxide Poisioning

The main treatment of CO poising is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO). During HBO, a patient breathes 100% oxygen while inside a chamber at increased atmospheric pressure. Besides CO poisoning, HBO has long been recognized as vital in the resolution of other critical medical conditions such as gas gangrene, air embolism due to diving, trauma, or surgical procedures, and decompression sickness. It is also an important adjunct for specific wound healing conditions.

Hennepin County Medical Center has been delivering HBO to patients from Minnesota and nearby states for 45 years. The only facility in Minnesota from 1964 to 2008, it has unsurpassed experience in the field of Hyperbaric Medicine and in the management of critically ill patients undergoing HBO.

Safety in your Stand:

• Always use a climbing belt when going up or down
• Never carry up equipment with you, haul it up after you get to the top
• Once you're in position, use a harness to secure yourself
• Be sure to replace worn or weak lumber
• Keep alert, don't fall asleep
• Carry a whistle or cellphone to call for help. It's also good to have a first aid kit and flashlight

Symptoms of TBI

• Headache
• Loss of consciousness
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Feeling dazed or not remembering
• Nausea or vomiting
• Blurred vision or double vision

Restrain Yourself

When using a tree stand, your fall restraint system is your single most important piece of equipment. A full body harness is best. A rope or belt around the waist may feel secure, but they can be dangerous. A belt around the waist could twist a hunter in a fall so they land on their head, and the tightening of the belt can cause internal injuries.

Enjoy the Show

• Always have a bucket of water or hose handy
• Never give fireworks to young children
• Light fireworks a safe distance from people
  and flammables
• Never try to relight a dud
• Never carry fireworks in your pockets
• Place used firework pieces in a metal container
  and douse with water