The crackling sounds of sitting around a campfire while you’re warming your hands and feet, the sweet smell of marshmallows toasting, and the hum of voices chatting after a long day. It’s something every camper looks forward to. But when you get to your campground, you might be surprised to hear that there’s a fire ban or restriction — and your campfire daydreams may have to wait.

The reason for these bans are easy to understand in some places. When the weather has been dry for too long, like often happens in California and similar states, one wrong spark can cause tens of thousands of acres of wildfire. With the market for used popup campers for rent or sale booming, many new outdoor explorers don’t have the basics of campfire safety.

Keep the campgrounds safe for everyone as you confidently enjoy the perks of a campfire using these 10 best practices.

Campfire Dos and Don’ts

Whether you want to listen to the soothing sounds of the pops and sizzles of the campfire, cook some hot dogs, s’mores, or camp pies, or use the smoke to chase away the mosquitoes and other critters, there are some essential steps to follow to stay safe. Learn these dos and don’ts, and teach them to your family, passing the knowledge of campfire safety on for generations.

1. Do Keep Children 3 Feet Away

Getting up close and personal with a toasty fire is tempting for all of us, but especially so for little ones. If you have children near your campsite, talk to them about the safety zone around the campfire — a three-foot or more radius. They can still feel the warmth of the flames, but if they trip (as little ones are known to do), they won’t be in danger of falling into the fire. The same safety zone is important to use for pets and flammable items like furniture and blankets. A stray ash could land on the item and cause substantial damage before you can extinguish it.

2. Do Follow the Campground’s Rules

Note that what works for one campground might not be the same for another. If you plan on lighting a campfire, ask the campground for its rules and regulations. These change frequently in some areas. Fire ban are in place for safety reasons; the weather conditions are too dangerous to chance a spark. Don’t argue with the campground, as they have to follow the fire ranger’s campfire rules to avoid the risk of wildfires.

3. Do Limit Your Fire to the Pit

In places where fires are permitted, the campground will likely have a fire pit or ring. This is the only location where it’s safe to build a fire. The area is designed to minimize risk of flames, ash, or sparks escaping the enclosure. But if there is no defined fire site, you can dig a pit in the dirt far away from any flammable hazards, including branches (in the trees and on the ground), electric lines, and tents or campers. Surround the hole with heavy rocks to resemble a fire pit, and then take a few minutes to walk around the ring in a 10-15 foot radius and make sure there’s nothing around that could be dangerous.

4. Don’t Burn Random Materials

Finding kindling to start the campfire can be a challenge if you didn’t bring a firestarter with you. Logs and branches are the most commonly used materials, but it can take a long time for the fire to catch on to these thick, dense woods. Instead, start the fire with dried leaves, twigs, and other tiny, dry kindling. Once it begins to burn, add dry logs and thicker sticks. You can use paper and cardboard if it isn’t windy, but these lightweight burnable materials are easily caught by breezes and spread. Never use materials that are unsafe for fires, such as rubber, glass, fireworks, synthetics, or chemicals. Even magazines are a no-no. When in doubt, don’t use the material until you’ve checked with an expert.

5. Do Always Extinguish Your Flames

Did you use a match or a lit paper to start the fire? Before you leave it in the trash, make sure it is completely cold to the touch. Warm matches and kindling can restart when they connect with flammable materials. Throw your match or kindling in the fire, or pour water over it to extinguish the heat.

6. Do Keep Water or a Fire Extinguisher Nearby

Fires are inherently dangerous and uncontrollable. No matter how cautious you are, they can spread. A bucket of water can help douse wayward flames, but using a shovel to dump dirt on them works, too. In the event the flames are too out of control for these simple methods to contain, the fire extinguisher may prevent them from reaching the woods and starting a wildfire.

7. Don’t Start Fires When It’s Windy

Yes, the fire could help your bones warm up on a chilly, windy day, but wind and fire are an extremely dangerous mix. All it takes is one gust to turn a spark into an uncontrolled flame. Wind happens when we least expect it. Keeping your flammables outside of the 10-15 foot safety perimeter can minimize the damage.

8. Don’t Transport Firewood

Maybe you have enough wood in your yard to cover a cross-country trip in your new camper. Leave it behind, and never transport firewood. Buy the wood your campground offers to prevent the spread of damaging insects and diseases that can kill the plants in the area. You don’t want to be the first person to introduce an invasive species into a population and cause devastation. Always use local firewood, whether from your campground or a nearby store.

9. Do Know How to Extinguish the Fire

Letting your fire put itself out while you go to bed is an accident waiting to happen. You may think the flames are barely there and safe, but they can reignite when you walk away. Completely extinguish the fire every time you’re done with it by pouring water over it, stirring the ashes with your shovel or firestick, and then adding more water.

10. Don’t Leave Your Fire — Ever

Last, but not least, your fire should always have someone responsible sitting around it. If you’re done with enjoying the flames for a while, follow Rule 9. Otherwise, stay by the fire and watch for breezes, flying sparks, and other dangers. If everyone is leaving for more than a minute, put the fire out completely and restart it later.