Close enough to toast marshmallows, not hands Depending on the size of your fire and how windy it is, you might be able to sit right by it - or you might have to stand several feet away. Remember that synthetic clothing melts when it gets hot - don’t ruin your nice new fleece jacket by letting sparks blow on it from your campfire! If you plan on cooking on the fire, make sure you have cooking tools that are long enough so you have a safe distance between you and the fire. Look for cooking tools with insulated handles to avoid burns. Watch children and pets around campfires It almost goes without saying, but if you’re camping with kids or pets, keep an eye on them. Young children who haven’t been around a campfire before might not be cautious about running near it.